Come, Follow Me

Making Sense of Joseph Smith’s First Vision Accounts

By Matthew C. Godfrey

Church History Department

What’s different in the four accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision? Why are they different? And what can they teach us?

Have you ever tried to tell someone about a spiritual experience? What details did you include? What details did you leave out? Do you think you’d tell the story differently if you were telling it to a friend, in sacrament meeting, or to someone who is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

These questions are important when thinking about how Joseph Smith explained the vision of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ he had in New York in 1820. Joseph shared this experience several times. Today we have four of Joseph’s firsthand accounts:

A personal history Joseph wrote around the summer of 1832. Joseph explained that he went to the woods to pray because he was confused about spiritual things. He also wanted his sins forgiven.
Joseph’s 1835 journal. A preacher named Robert Matthews came to Kirtland, Ohio. He wanted to talk to Joseph about religious matters, so Joseph told him about his vision. Warren Parrish, who was keeping Joseph’s journal, wrote down what Joseph said.
An official Church history that Joseph began in 1838. He talked about the First Vision as part of how the Church was restored. This account is published in the Pearl of Great Price.
A letter Joseph wrote in 1842. A journalist named John Wentworth asked Joseph to explain how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came about. Joseph responded in a letter and included information about the First Vision.

Each account was made at a different time for a different audience. Joseph had different objectives in mind for each. But when we read them together, we get a richer and clearer picture of Joseph’s experience in the Sacred Grove.

What’s Different?

These accounts all have some different details. In the 1832 account, Joseph focuses on his desire to be forgiven of his sins. He doesn’t specifically mention wanting to know which church is true. He talks about how “the Lord” appeared to him—he doesn’t identify Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ separately.

The 1835 and 1838 accounts mention an evil force trying to prevent Joseph from praying. Joseph’s 1835 account says he was visited by two beings, as well as angels. The 1838 and 1842 accounts also mention two beings, one of which is specifically identified as Jesus Christ. These two accounts emphasize Joseph’s search for the true church.

Why Are There Differences?

There are a few reasons for differences in the accounts.

The Nature of Memory

Sometimes we think our memories always stay the same. But that’s not how memory works. We remember things differently as we get older. Something that happened earlier might take on a different meaning because of additional life experiences. The core memory remains, but some details might change. That doesn’t mean our memory isn’t true or accurate, just that parts of it stand out more at different times.

Different Purposes

Joseph had various reasons for telling his story. In 1832, he was making a personal account, so he focused more on what the First Vision meant to him personally. In 1838 and 1842, he talked about the First Vision as part of how the Church came to be. So he emphasized his desire to know which church was true.

Different Audiences

Robert Matthews and John Wentworth weren’t members of the Church. Joseph needed to describe things differently to them. He directed the 1838 account more toward Church members. He may have thought his 1832 account would be read only by close friends and family members.

What Is the Same?

In all four accounts, the main details are the same. Joseph was confused about his own salvation and the salvation of the world. He read in James 1:5–6 that he could get answers to his prayers. He went into the woods and prayed. Heavenly beings appeared to him. They called him by name. They said that the churches at the time were not teaching correct doctrines.

What the Accounts Teach Me

I like reading the different accounts because they help me understand the First Vision better. I can see more clearly why Joseph was confused and wanted to pray. I can feel the Spirit more strongly as I read about what the First Vision meant to Joseph at different times in his life. Combined, the accounts help me know that Joseph was telling the truth. He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. This increases my hope that I can get answers to prayers too.

Account	Why Joseph said he prayed	Who Joseph said appeared
1832	For forgiveness of his sins	The Lord
1835	To find out who was right and who was wrong in matters of religion	Two personages—first one, followed by another—and angels
1838	To know which church was the true Church of Christ	The Father and His Son Jesus Christ
1842	To know which church was the true Church of Christ	“Two glorious personages”