The following is the 1832 Account of Joseph's first vision. I normalized the spelling and punctuation to make it easier to read.
A History of the life of Joseph Smith Jr. - 1832
[This is] an account of his marvelous experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God of whom he beareth record. And [it is] also an account of the rise of the Church of Christ in the eve of time, according as the Lord brought forth and established by His hand.
Firstly, he receiv[ed] the testimony from on high;
secondly, the ministering of angels;
thirdly, the reception of the Holy Priesthood by the ministering of angels to administer the letter of the Gospel, [which is] the law and commandments as they were given unto him - and the ordinances;
fourthly, a confirmation and reception of the High Priesthood after the Holy Order of the Son of the Living God. [These two priesthoods constitute] power and ordinance[s] from on high to preach the gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit. The keys of the Kingdom of God [were] conferred upon him. [He has likewise seen] the continuation of the blessings of God [upon] him.
[Joseph now speaks in the first person]
I was born in the town of Sharon in the State of Vermont, North America on the twenty-third day of December, AD 1805 of goodly parents who spared no pains to instructing me in the Christian religion. At the age of about ten years, my father, Joseph Smith, Sr., moved to Palmyra, Ontario County in the state of New York. And, being in indigent circumstances, [we] were obliged to labor hard for the support of a large family - having nine children. And, as it required the exertions of all that were able to render any assistance for the support of the family, therefore we were deprived of the benefit of an education. Suffice it to say, I was merely instructed in reading, writing and the ground rules of arithmetic - which constituted my whole literary acquirements.
At about the age of twelve years my mind become seriously impressed with regard to the all-important concerns for the welfare of my immortal soul, which led me to searching the scriptures – believing, as I was taught, that they contained the word of God. Thus, applying myself to them and my intimate acquaintance with those of different denominations led me to marvel exceedingly. For I discovered that they did not adorn their profession by a holy walk and Godly conversation agreeable to what I found contained in that sacred depository. This was a grief to my Soul. Thus from the age of twelve years to fifteen, I pondered many things in my heart concerning the situation of the world of mankind: the contentions and divisions, the wickedness and abominations and the darkness which pervaded the minds of mankind, [etc.].
My mind become exceedingly distressed, for I became convicted of my sins. And, by searching the scriptures, I found that mankind did not come unto the Lord but that they had apostatized from the true and living faith, and there was no society or denomination that built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. And [because of this] I felt to mourn for my own sins and for the sins of the world.
For, I learned in the scriptures that God was the same yesterday today and forever, that He was no respecter to persons - for He was God! For, I looked upon the sun, the glorious luminary of the earth, and also the moon - rolling in their majesty through the heavens - and also the stars, shining in their courses, and the earth also upon which I stood, and the beast of the field and the fowls of heaven and the fish of the waters - and also man walking forth upon the face of the earth in majesty and in the strength of beauty - whose power and intelligence in governing the things which are so exceeding great and marvelous - even in the likeness of Him who created them. And when I considered upon these things, my heart exclaimed, “Well hath the wise man said, ‘It is a fool that sayeth in his heart there is no God’”. My heart exclaimed, “All these bear testimony and bespeak an omnipotent and omnipresent power - a Being who makes laws and decrees and binds all things in their bounds - who fills eternity - who was and is and will be from all eternity to eternity!”
And when I considered all these things, and that that Being seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in truth – therefore, I cried unto the Lord for mercy. For there was none else to whom I could go and obtain mercy. And the Lord heard my cry in the wilderness.
And, while in the attitude of calling upon the Lord in the 16th year of my age, a pillar of light, above the brightness of the sun at noon day came down from above and rested upon me, and I was filled with the Spirit of God. And the Lord opened the heavens upon me, and I saw the Lord, and He spoke unto me saying, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. Go thy way, walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments. 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. Behold, the world lieth in sin at this time, and none doeth good – no, not one. 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. And mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit them according to their ungodliness - and to bring to pass that which hath been spoken by the mouth of the prophets and apostles. Behold and lo, I come quickly as it is written of me - in the cloud, clothed in the glory of my Father”.
And my soul was filled with love, and for many days I could rejoice with great Joy, and the Lord was with me. But, [I] could find none that would believe the heavenly vision. Nevertheless I pondered these things in my heart.
But, after many days, I fell into transgressions and sinned in many things which brought a wound upon my soul. And, there were many things which transpired that cannot be written. And my Fathers family have suffered many persecutions and afflictions.
And it came to pass, when I was seventeen years of age I called again upon the Lord, and he shewed unto me a heavenly vision. For, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before me, and it was by night. And he called me by name, and he said the Lord had forgiven me my sins. And, he revealed unto me that in the town of Manchester, Ontario County N.Y. there were plates of gold - upon which there were engravings which were engraved by Moroni and his fathers - the servants of the Living God in ancient days. And, [they were] deposited by the commandments of God and kept by the power thereof and that I should go and get them. And he revealed unto me many things concerning the inhabitants of the earth - which since have been revealed in commandments & revelations. And it was on the 22nd day of Sept. AD 1822. And thus he appeared unto me three times in one night and once on the next day.
And then, I immediately went to the place and found where the plates were deposited as the angel of the Lord had commanded me and straightway made three attempts to get them. And then, being exceedingly frightened I supposed it had been a dream of vision. But, when I considered [that] I knew that it was not, therefore, I cried unto the Lord in the agony of my soul, “Why can I not obtain them?”. Behold, the angel appeared unto me again and said unto me, “You have not kept the commandments of the Lord which I gave unto you. Therefore, you cannot now obtain them. For the time is not yet fulfilled. Therefore, thou wast left unto temptation that thou mightest be made acquainted with the power of the adversary. Therefore, repent, and call on the Lord. Thou shalt be forgiven, and in His own due time thou shalt obtain them.”
For [up until] now I had been tempted of the adversary and sought the plates to obtain riches and kept not the commandment that I should have an eye single to the glory of God. Therefore, I was chastened and sought diligently to obtain the plates. And [I] obtained them not until I was twenty-one years of age.
In this year, I was married to Emma Hale - daughter of Isaac Hale who lived in Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on the 18th January AD, 1827. On the 22d day of Sept of this same year I obtained the plates—and in December following we moved to Susquehanna by the assistance of a man by the name of Martin Harris, who became convinced of the vision and gave me fifty dollars to bare my expenses. And, because of his faith and this righteous deed, the Lord appeared unto him in a vision and shewed unto him his marvelous work which he was about to do and he immediately came to Susquehanna and said [that] the Lord had shown him that he must go to New York City with some of the characters [from the plates]. So, we proceeded to copy some of them, and he took his journey to the eastern cities.
[Martin came] to the learned saying, “Read this, I pray thee,” and the learned said, “I cannot. But if he would bring the plates [I] would read it.” But, the Lord had forbidden it, and he returned to me and gave them to me to translate. And I said, “I cannot for I am not learned”. But, the Lord had prepared spectacles for to read the book -therefore, I commenced translating the characters. And thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled which is written in the 29th chapter concerning the book.
And it came to pass that after we had translated 116 pages, that he desired to carry them to read to his friends that peradventure he might convince them of the truth. Therefore, I inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said unto me that he must not take them, and I spoke unto him (Martin) the word of the Lord. And he said, “Inquire again,” and I inquired again, and also the third time, and the Lord said unto me, “Let him go with them. Only, he shall covenant with me that he will not show them to only but four persons”. And he covenanted with [the] Lord that he would do according to the word of the Lord. Therefore, he took them and took his journey unto his friends to Palmyra, Wayne County, state of N. York. And he broke the covenant which he made before the Lord, and the Lord suffered the writings to fall into the hands of wicked men, and Martin was chastened for his transgression. And I, also, was chastened for my transgression for asking the Lord the third time. Wherefore, the plates were taken from me by the power of God, and I was not able to obtain them for a season. And it came to pass, after much humility and affliction of soul, I obtained them again.
[The] Lord appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdery and showed unto him the plates in a vision - and also the truth of the work and what the Lord was about to do through me, his unworthy servant. Therefore he was desirous to come and write for me to translate. Now, my wife had written some for me to translate and also my brother Samuel H. Smith. But, we had become reduced in property and my wife’s father was about to turn me out of doors, and I had not where to go, and I cried unto the Lord that he would provide for me to accomplish the work whereunto he had commanded me.
*This account was never finished or published.
[This is] an account of his marvelous experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God of whom he beareth record. And [it is] also an account of the rise of the Church of Christ in the eve of time, according as the Lord brought forth and established by His hand.
Firstly, he receiv[ed] the testimony from on high;
secondly, the ministering of angels;
thirdly, the reception of the Holy Priesthood by the ministering of angels to administer the letter of the Gospel, [which is] the law and commandments as they were given unto him - and the ordinances;
fourthly, a confirmation and reception of the High Priesthood after the Holy Order of the Son of the Living God. [These two priesthoods constitute] power and ordinance[s] from on high to preach the gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit. The keys of the Kingdom of God [were] conferred upon him. [He has likewise seen] the continuation of the blessings of God [upon] him.
[Joseph now speaks in the first person]
I was born in the town of Sharon in the State of Vermont, North America on the twenty-third day of December, AD 1805 of goodly parents who spared no pains to instructing me in the Christian religion. At the age of about ten years, my father, Joseph Smith, Sr., moved to Palmyra, Ontario County in the state of New York. And, being in indigent circumstances, [we] were obliged to labor hard for the support of a large family - having nine children. And, as it required the exertions of all that were able to render any assistance for the support of the family, therefore we were deprived of the benefit of an education. Suffice it to say, I was merely instructed in reading, writing and the ground rules of arithmetic - which constituted my whole literary acquirements.
At about the age of twelve years my mind become seriously impressed with regard to the all-important concerns for the welfare of my immortal soul, which led me to searching the scriptures – believing, as I was taught, that they contained the word of God. Thus, applying myself to them and my intimate acquaintance with those of different denominations led me to marvel exceedingly. For I discovered that they did not adorn their profession by a holy walk and Godly conversation agreeable to what I found contained in that sacred depository. This was a grief to my Soul. Thus from the age of twelve years to fifteen, I pondered many things in my heart concerning the situation of the world of mankind: the contentions and divisions, the wickedness and abominations and the darkness which pervaded the minds of mankind, [etc.].
My mind become exceedingly distressed, for I became convicted of my sins. And, by searching the scriptures, I found that mankind did not come unto the Lord but that they had apostatized from the true and living faith, and there was no society or denomination that built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. And [because of this] I felt to mourn for my own sins and for the sins of the world.
For, I learned in the scriptures that God was the same yesterday today and forever, that He was no respecter to persons - for He was God! For, I looked upon the sun, the glorious luminary of the earth, and also the moon - rolling in their majesty through the heavens - and also the stars, shining in their courses, and the earth also upon which I stood, and the beast of the field and the fowls of heaven and the fish of the waters - and also man walking forth upon the face of the earth in majesty and in the strength of beauty - whose power and intelligence in governing the things which are so exceeding great and marvelous - even in the likeness of Him who created them. And when I considered upon these things, my heart exclaimed, “Well hath the wise man said, ‘It is a fool that sayeth in his heart there is no God’”. My heart exclaimed, “All these bear testimony and bespeak an omnipotent and omnipresent power - a Being who makes laws and decrees and binds all things in their bounds - who fills eternity - who was and is and will be from all eternity to eternity!”
And when I considered all these things, and that that Being seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in truth – therefore, I cried unto the Lord for mercy. For there was none else to whom I could go and obtain mercy. And the Lord heard my cry in the wilderness.
And, while in the attitude of calling upon the Lord in the 16th year of my age, a pillar of light, above the brightness of the sun at noon day came down from above and rested upon me, and I was filled with the Spirit of God. And the Lord opened the heavens upon me, and I saw the Lord, and He spoke unto me saying, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. Go thy way, walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments. 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. Behold, the world lieth in sin at this time, and none doeth good – no, not one. 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. And mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit them according to their ungodliness - and to bring to pass that which hath been spoken by the mouth of the prophets and apostles. Behold and lo, I come quickly as it is written of me - in the cloud, clothed in the glory of my Father”.
And my soul was filled with love, and for many days I could rejoice with great Joy, and the Lord was with me. But, [I] could find none that would believe the heavenly vision. Nevertheless I pondered these things in my heart.
But, after many days, I fell into transgressions and sinned in many things which brought a wound upon my soul. And, there were many things which transpired that cannot be written. And my Fathers family have suffered many persecutions and afflictions.
And it came to pass, when I was seventeen years of age I called again upon the Lord, and he shewed unto me a heavenly vision. For, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before me, and it was by night. And he called me by name, and he said the Lord had forgiven me my sins. And, he revealed unto me that in the town of Manchester, Ontario County N.Y. there were plates of gold - upon which there were engravings which were engraved by Moroni and his fathers - the servants of the Living God in ancient days. And, [they were] deposited by the commandments of God and kept by the power thereof and that I should go and get them. And he revealed unto me many things concerning the inhabitants of the earth - which since have been revealed in commandments & revelations. And it was on the 22nd day of Sept. AD 1822. And thus he appeared unto me three times in one night and once on the next day.
And then, I immediately went to the place and found where the plates were deposited as the angel of the Lord had commanded me and straightway made three attempts to get them. And then, being exceedingly frightened I supposed it had been a dream of vision. But, when I considered [that] I knew that it was not, therefore, I cried unto the Lord in the agony of my soul, “Why can I not obtain them?”. Behold, the angel appeared unto me again and said unto me, “You have not kept the commandments of the Lord which I gave unto you. Therefore, you cannot now obtain them. For the time is not yet fulfilled. Therefore, thou wast left unto temptation that thou mightest be made acquainted with the power of the adversary. Therefore, repent, and call on the Lord. Thou shalt be forgiven, and in His own due time thou shalt obtain them.”
For [up until] now I had been tempted of the adversary and sought the plates to obtain riches and kept not the commandment that I should have an eye single to the glory of God. Therefore, I was chastened and sought diligently to obtain the plates. And [I] obtained them not until I was twenty-one years of age.
In this year, I was married to Emma Hale - daughter of Isaac Hale who lived in Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on the 18th January AD, 1827. On the 22d day of Sept of this same year I obtained the plates—and in December following we moved to Susquehanna by the assistance of a man by the name of Martin Harris, who became convinced of the vision and gave me fifty dollars to bare my expenses. And, because of his faith and this righteous deed, the Lord appeared unto him in a vision and shewed unto him his marvelous work which he was about to do and he immediately came to Susquehanna and said [that] the Lord had shown him that he must go to New York City with some of the characters [from the plates]. So, we proceeded to copy some of them, and he took his journey to the eastern cities.
[Martin came] to the learned saying, “Read this, I pray thee,” and the learned said, “I cannot. But if he would bring the plates [I] would read it.” But, the Lord had forbidden it, and he returned to me and gave them to me to translate. And I said, “I cannot for I am not learned”. But, the Lord had prepared spectacles for to read the book -therefore, I commenced translating the characters. And thus the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled which is written in the 29th chapter concerning the book.
And it came to pass that after we had translated 116 pages, that he desired to carry them to read to his friends that peradventure he might convince them of the truth. Therefore, I inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said unto me that he must not take them, and I spoke unto him (Martin) the word of the Lord. And he said, “Inquire again,” and I inquired again, and also the third time, and the Lord said unto me, “Let him go with them. Only, he shall covenant with me that he will not show them to only but four persons”. And he covenanted with [the] Lord that he would do according to the word of the Lord. Therefore, he took them and took his journey unto his friends to Palmyra, Wayne County, state of N. York. And he broke the covenant which he made before the Lord, and the Lord suffered the writings to fall into the hands of wicked men, and Martin was chastened for his transgression. And I, also, was chastened for my transgression for asking the Lord the third time. Wherefore, the plates were taken from me by the power of God, and I was not able to obtain them for a season. And it came to pass, after much humility and affliction of soul, I obtained them again.
[The] Lord appeared unto a young man by the name of Oliver Cowdery and showed unto him the plates in a vision - and also the truth of the work and what the Lord was about to do through me, his unworthy servant. Therefore he was desirous to come and write for me to translate. Now, my wife had written some for me to translate and also my brother Samuel H. Smith. But, we had become reduced in property and my wife’s father was about to turn me out of doors, and I had not where to go, and I cried unto the Lord that he would provide for me to accomplish the work whereunto he had commanded me.
*This account was never finished or published.