What is "The First Vision", you ask?
I really like this description:
"As a boy, Joseph Smith was surrounded by various churches which, though they disagreed with one another, each claimed to teach the truth. This caused him much serious reflection. He wanted to know which church was right. One day he read a passage in the Bible which says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Joseph decided to accept the invitation to ask God.
In the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and prayed to learn which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. Joseph wrote: “When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” Joseph was told to join none of the churches that existed at that time as the priesthood authority and Church as Jesus Christ had organized it when He was on the earth had been lost over the centuries.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth. Joseph’s written account of this event is a powerful testimony of what he saw and experienced. (Joseph Smith’s History chapter 1 verses 8-17.)"
I also really like THIS possible explanation as to what date the First Vision most likely took place (3/26/1820). The last paragraph of this site wraps it up in a nutshell (after all the clues/evidences were taken into consideration):
"Combining all of this evidence, there were three days of early spring on which the weather qualified as being possible for the First Vision. On the first two of them the Smith family would almost certainly have been totally occupied in producing maple sugar. On the third of those days, there would have been no more work to do in producing maple sugar, and it would have been a day of rest. That day coincided with Sunday, the weekly Sabbath. Thus it is one day which is indicated as being far more likely than any other for the First Vision. It must have been on the morning of Sunday, March 26, 1820, that Joseph Smith reached out to God and the glorious response changed the course of history. The brief statement that the marvelous event occurred "on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring" of 1820 was enough to pinpoint the very day it occurred."
From my personal experience, aside from all the "learning" I've done and all the "teaching" I have received from the human side of things, this is my personal spiritual learning I've received directly from God, through the Holy Ghost, who makes the truth of all things known to us - That I know, not of myself but of the Spirit of God, that Joseph Smith Jr. truly did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in vision, in that sacred grove on that Spring morning. They truly spoke to him and instructed him, and thus began the Restitution of All Things, which the Apostle Paul testified should take place in the last days, when he stated: "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21)
My experience as to how I came to know this is sacred to me, and it is a very long story to type out. However, if any one wishes to hear the long version, you are welcome to comment below and leave your email, and I will be happy to email it to you.
This is the short version: There came a time in my life that I didn't want to just believe whatever I had been taught. I wanted to know for myself whether or not Joseph Smith Jr had truly experienced what he said he did. It made sense to me that the truth of Mormonism hangs on whether or not Joseph Smith had that first vision. If he did, then all he taught was true, and God is truly a keeper of His word and restored His gospel and His church, just like the one He had organized when He was upon Earth, was once again upon Earth. Or, if Joseph Smith did not have that first vision, then it was all a lie and nothing he said could be trusted. The story of Joseph, following the admonition of James, also touched my heart as being true and trusworthy. I lacked wisdom, of myself, to know whether or not Joseph Smith truly had that vision. But I KNEW that God knew, and I knew that God was capable of tellling me, personally, whether or not I could trust the claim. So for many months I prayed to know. At first, I kept feeling the same answer over and over "I've already told you", "you've known all your life", "remember when you'd talk with me every day when you were young? I'm still here", "yes, it's true, and you already know it", "remember how you've come to know, precept upon precept, line upon line...." Etc. Etc. But, being stubborn, I wanted to know for myself with a direct, personal revelation.
Well, one day that revelation came, and when it did it quite literally floored me. All I could do was back up against the wall, slide down to the floor, and cry. I couldn't speak. I could only cry. My heart felt like it was going to burst from sheer joy, enlightenment and peace. I KNEW, in an unearthly, non-human kind of way that YES! Joseph Smith truly experienced that first vision, and God was testifying to me of its truthfulness. I can say this, that unless one has experienced God testifying to them, in their hearts and their minds, then there are no possible words in any language to describe that feelings and that experience. I wanted to shout it out to the world! I wanted to grab each person I saw on my way home and say "Do you UNDERSTAND what has happened in this world? The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly upon Earth once more! It's all true! It's all REAL!" Of course, I didn't - but I wanted to.
Then when I read about March 26th being the most likely day that the First Vision took place - in fact, it's probably the only day it could have taken place - I was more excited, because I could then celebrate this special day on the very date. So.....
Just think: In 4 more years we will celebrate the First Vision's bicentennial! Wow!
I would love for the world to know about the First Vision and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.So please click on this image above to learn more if you wish! :)
He lives to bless me with His love.
I really like this description:
"As a boy, Joseph Smith was surrounded by various churches which, though they disagreed with one another, each claimed to teach the truth. This caused him much serious reflection. He wanted to know which church was right. One day he read a passage in the Bible which says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Joseph decided to accept the invitation to ask God.
In the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and prayed to learn which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. Joseph wrote: “When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” Joseph was told to join none of the churches that existed at that time as the priesthood authority and Church as Jesus Christ had organized it when He was on the earth had been lost over the centuries.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision marked the beginning of the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church to the earth. Joseph’s written account of this event is a powerful testimony of what he saw and experienced. (Joseph Smith’s History chapter 1 verses 8-17.)"
I also really like THIS possible explanation as to what date the First Vision most likely took place (3/26/1820). The last paragraph of this site wraps it up in a nutshell (after all the clues/evidences were taken into consideration):
"Combining all of this evidence, there were three days of early spring on which the weather qualified as being possible for the First Vision. On the first two of them the Smith family would almost certainly have been totally occupied in producing maple sugar. On the third of those days, there would have been no more work to do in producing maple sugar, and it would have been a day of rest. That day coincided with Sunday, the weekly Sabbath. Thus it is one day which is indicated as being far more likely than any other for the First Vision. It must have been on the morning of Sunday, March 26, 1820, that Joseph Smith reached out to God and the glorious response changed the course of history. The brief statement that the marvelous event occurred "on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring" of 1820 was enough to pinpoint the very day it occurred."
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| "Sacred Grove" by Brent Borup |
My experience as to how I came to know this is sacred to me, and it is a very long story to type out. However, if any one wishes to hear the long version, you are welcome to comment below and leave your email, and I will be happy to email it to you.
This is the short version: There came a time in my life that I didn't want to just believe whatever I had been taught. I wanted to know for myself whether or not Joseph Smith Jr had truly experienced what he said he did. It made sense to me that the truth of Mormonism hangs on whether or not Joseph Smith had that first vision. If he did, then all he taught was true, and God is truly a keeper of His word and restored His gospel and His church, just like the one He had organized when He was upon Earth, was once again upon Earth. Or, if Joseph Smith did not have that first vision, then it was all a lie and nothing he said could be trusted. The story of Joseph, following the admonition of James, also touched my heart as being true and trusworthy. I lacked wisdom, of myself, to know whether or not Joseph Smith truly had that vision. But I KNEW that God knew, and I knew that God was capable of tellling me, personally, whether or not I could trust the claim. So for many months I prayed to know. At first, I kept feeling the same answer over and over "I've already told you", "you've known all your life", "remember when you'd talk with me every day when you were young? I'm still here", "yes, it's true, and you already know it", "remember how you've come to know, precept upon precept, line upon line...." Etc. Etc. But, being stubborn, I wanted to know for myself with a direct, personal revelation.
Well, one day that revelation came, and when it did it quite literally floored me. All I could do was back up against the wall, slide down to the floor, and cry. I couldn't speak. I could only cry. My heart felt like it was going to burst from sheer joy, enlightenment and peace. I KNEW, in an unearthly, non-human kind of way that YES! Joseph Smith truly experienced that first vision, and God was testifying to me of its truthfulness. I can say this, that unless one has experienced God testifying to them, in their hearts and their minds, then there are no possible words in any language to describe that feelings and that experience. I wanted to shout it out to the world! I wanted to grab each person I saw on my way home and say "Do you UNDERSTAND what has happened in this world? The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly upon Earth once more! It's all true! It's all REAL!" Of course, I didn't - but I wanted to.
Then when I read about March 26th being the most likely day that the First Vision took place - in fact, it's probably the only day it could have taken place - I was more excited, because I could then celebrate this special day on the very date. So.....
HAPPY FIRST VISION DAY!
Just think: In 4 more years we will celebrate the First Vision's bicentennial! Wow!
I would love for the world to know about the First Vision and the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.So please click on this image above to learn more if you wish! :)
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES
I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with His love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with His eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives! All glory to His name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"
He lives! All glory to His name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
OH, SWEET THE JOY THIS SENTENCE GIVES:
"I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!"
(Hymn No. 136, I Know That My Redeemer Lives; Text by Samuel Medley 1738-1799)
#Hallelujah #BecauseOfHim #HeLives
