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First Vision

Examining the evidence related to Joseph Smith’s claim to have seen the Father and the Son

No Group

Joseph Smith's First Vision
Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph Smith’s First Vision
Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph Smith’s First Vision

Jesus’ resurrection happened; the First Vision did not.
Did Joseph Smith See God the Father in the First Vision?
Did Joseph Smith See God the Father in the First Vision?

Responds to recent attempts to defend the First Vision in light of earlier accounts in which Joseph Smith did not mention seeing God the Father.

Basic Studies of the First Vision

Joseph Smith's Changing First Vision Accounts
Joseph Smith's Changing First Vision Accounts

An overview of Joseph Smith’s changing stories of his earliest visionary experience.
New Light on Joseph Smith's First Vision
New Light on Joseph Smith's First Vision

This carefully documented article summarizes evidence uncovered by Mormon historians and others that there was no revival in 1820 in the Manchester/Palmyra, New York area, as related in the official First Vision account.
First Vision - Early Mormon Documents
First Vision - Early Mormon Documents

Photo-documentation of various accounts of Joseph Smith’s earliest visionary experience.

Index

Alphabetical List of Articles
Alphabetical List of Articles

All of our resources pertaining to Mormonism listed in one place.

Alleged Early References to the First Vision

Alleged Early References to the First Vision - An overview
Alleged Early References to the First Vision - An overview

Summary of the articles listed below.
First Vision Reference in 1829? The “Book of Pukei” in the 1830 Palmyra Reflector
First Vision Reference in 1829? The “Book of Pukei” in the 1830 Palmyra Reflector

Some Mormon apologists have cited this newspaper parody of the Book of Mormon as the earliest reference to the First Vision—in some cases not even getting the date right.
First Rumor of the First Vision: The 1831 Palmyra Reflector
First Rumor of the First Vision: The 1831 Palmyra Reflector

This article examines an 1831 newspaper article that reported that Mormons were proclaiming that Joseph Smith had seen God—several times.
"Truly Manifested" - Does D&C 20:5 Refer to the First Vision?
"Truly Manifested" - Does D&C 20:5 Refer to the First Vision?

This statement is sometimes cited as the earliest reference in LDS scripture to the First Vision. Is it?
Fredonia Censor 1832 Article and the First Vision
Fredonia Censor 1832 Article and the First Vision

Some LDS apologists cite this article as evidence for the First Vision story—but “censor” the vision part of the account.