Q&A

What do you say when your friends don’t believe that the First Vision could happen?

young woman using smart phone

Photograph from Getty Images

“Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.”

President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Apr. 2018 general conference (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95).

Develop Faith

With spiritual questions, it’s not only logic that we need; we also need to have faith to know that the First Vision could actually happen. We can develop that faith by asking Heavenly Father and listening to the Spirit.

Julia B., 17, California, USA

Study the Bible

Ask your friends to study the Bible. If they believe in it as the word of God, then they should believe that God does speak to us today by visions such as the First Vision because He did the same with Adam, Moses, Isaiah, and other prophets in many different ways.

Elder Muanda, 22, Kenya Nairobi Mission

Ask of God

The fact that the apostasy lasted for hundreds of years does not mean that God ceased His visions. We need to have a humble heart and to ask God with real intent and sincerity of heart, as Joseph Smith did.

Jeremi E., 19, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Believe in God

I would ask my friends, “Do you believe in God? Do you believe that He created all things? Do you believe that He appeared to prophets in times of old? And if you do, why don’t you believe that it’s possible now? It is possible.”

Sarah M., 16, Utah, USA

Share Your Testimony

I share my testimony with my friends that our Heavenly Father reveals things to His children when they ask Him with a sincere heart to know the truth. Joseph Smith had the desire to know the truth, and he acted according to his faith. You can also enjoy a wonderful experience if you ask Heavenly Father in prayer with all your heart.

Mara C., 20, Lima, Peru

Responses may be edited for length or clarity. Published responses are intended for help and perspective, not as official pronouncements of Church doctrine.

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