Between 1832 and
1844, Joseph Smith
and some of his closest friends
recorded at least nine accounts
of Joseph's First
Vision experience,
given on different occasions
to different audiences.
The most detailed of these
accounts, written in 1838,
has been published in a
volume of scripture called
the Pearl of Great Price.
What you are about to see draws
upon all of the written First
Vision accounts to provide
additional perspectives
and insights into
this remarkable event.
[CHIRPING]
My name is Joseph Smith.
When I was young,
there was, in the place
where we lived, an
unusual excitement
on the subject of religion.
My mind became seriously
impressed with regard
to the welfare of my soul.
I pondered many
things in my heart.
I felt to mourn for my own
sins and the sins of the world,
but upon inquiring about
the plan of salvation,
I found that there was a great
clash in religious sentiment.
This was grief to my soul.
I knew not who was
right or who was wrong
and I considered it of
the first importance
that I should be
right in matters that
involved eternal consequences.
I wanted to get religion, too.
I wanted to feel and
shout like the rest,
but could feel nothing.
I was one day reading
the epistle of James,
"If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God ...
and it shall be given him."
It seemed to enter
with great force
into every feeling of my heart.
After I retired into the
place where I had previously
designed to go, having
looked around me
and finding myself
alone, I kneeled down
and began to offer up the
desires of my heart to God.
I cried unto the Lord
for mercy, for there
was none else to whom I
could go to obtain mercy.
It was the first time in my
life that I had made the attempt
to pray vocally.
O God.
Immediately I was seized
upon by some power which
entirely overcame me--
[GRUNTS]
--and had such astonishing
influence over me--
[PANTING]
--as to bind my tongue
so I could not speak.
My mind filled with
doubts and all manner
of inappropriate images.
[CRACKING SOUND]
[PANTING]
It seemed to me for
a time as if I were
doomed to sudden destruction.
But, exerting all my powers to
call upon God to deliver me--
Lord!
--my mouth was opened--
[SOBS]
Have mercy on me!
--and my tongue liberated.
(CRYING) Forgive me.
[BIRD CALLING AND FLAPPING]
[LOW WHOOSHING INTENSIFYING]
[SILENCE]
[BREATHING SHAKILY]
Joseph.
Joseph, this is My Beloved Son.
Hear Him!
Joseph, thy sins
are forgiven thee.
Behold, I am the Lord of Glory.
I was crucified for the
world that all those who
believe on my name
may have eternal life.
The world lieth in sin.
They have turned
aside from the gospel
and keep not my commandments.
They draw near to
me with their lips
while their hearts
are far from me.
They teach for doctrines
the commandments of men,
having a form of godliness, but
they deny the power thereof.
Go not after them.
Wait patiently.
At a future time the
complete truth of the Gospel
will be revealed to you.
[SOFT WHOOSHING]
When the light had
departed, I had no strength.
[CHIRPING]
Peace and calm filled my mind.
My soul was filled with love.
For many days, I could
rejoice with great joy
and the Lord was with me.
I had received a promise that
the fullness of the Gospel
should, at some future
time, be made known unto me.
And I had actually seen a light,
and in the midst of that light
I saw two Personages, and they
did in reality speak to me.
I knew it, and I knew God knew
it and I could not deny it.
[CHIRPING CONTINUES]
[DISTANT BARKING]
[DISTANT BLEATING]
[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]
