The First Vision
Multiple Accounts
The reality First Vision is crucial to the faith of Latter-day Saints the world over. God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to young Joseph Smith in response to his humble boyhood prayer. The long-awaited restoration of Christ's true Church and Gospel was soon at hand. The adversary tried to keep the First Vision from even occurring in the first place. Now, he is trying his hardest to convince God's children that it never happened at all.
The fact that there are four separate accounts of the First Vision actually enhances our understanding of what all occurred on that sacred occasion. It was, indeed, a grand vision. Much more was likely said and shown to Joseph than we even have record of. In my opinion, the reason that we use the 1838 account of the First Vision in the Church is because it emphasizes Joseph's search for truth and the answer he received. This has more to do with the Church as a whole than Joseph receiving a remission of his sins on that same occasion. Despite the fact that they contain different details, the accounts are not conflicting. Rather, each provides additional details and emphasizes different aspects of the vision depending on who the audience was at the time. If the audience or circumstances required certain details but not others to be emphasized, then that is what was given. Joseph often lamented that he could not share with the Saints all that the Lord had revealed to him because the Saints were not ready for it. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, explains this same concept to Zeezrom:
The fact that there are four separate accounts of the First Vision actually enhances our understanding of what all occurred on that sacred occasion. It was, indeed, a grand vision. Much more was likely said and shown to Joseph than we even have record of. In my opinion, the reason that we use the 1838 account of the First Vision in the Church is because it emphasizes Joseph's search for truth and the answer he received. This has more to do with the Church as a whole than Joseph receiving a remission of his sins on that same occasion. Despite the fact that they contain different details, the accounts are not conflicting. Rather, each provides additional details and emphasizes different aspects of the vision depending on who the audience was at the time. If the audience or circumstances required certain details but not others to be emphasized, then that is what was given. Joseph often lamented that he could not share with the Saints all that the Lord had revealed to him because the Saints were not ready for it. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, explains this same concept to Zeezrom:
"It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only [i.e. except] according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him" (Alma 12:9).
Articles to Consider
The Church recently published a great article on the multiple accounts of the First Vision. I highly reccomend it. There, they also provide links where you can read the four different accounts and see the original manuscripts. Click Here
I also typed up an easier to read version of the 1832 account here.
Also, in the following article, Jeff Lindsay refutes many of the claims made by critics in relation to the First Vision - including a glaringly false one where critics say that Brigham Young said that the Lord never visited Joseph, but an angel did instead. He also provides substantial historical evidence in support of the circumstantial details listed by Joseph Smith in his various accounts. Click Here
I also typed up an easier to read version of the 1832 account here.
Also, in the following article, Jeff Lindsay refutes many of the claims made by critics in relation to the First Vision - including a glaringly false one where critics say that Brigham Young said that the Lord never visited Joseph, but an angel did instead. He also provides substantial historical evidence in support of the circumstantial details listed by Joseph Smith in his various accounts. Click Here