The First Vision.

The first vision
 The first vision of the prophet Joseph Smith, if it is true, (which many
don't feel that it is) is the most extraordinary event except for the
death of Jesus Christ. Here we have the transcendent event of God The
Father and His Son Jesus Christ appearing to a simple lad. And because
of this, a thousand questions bloom from everywhere. "Why did God appear
to him?" "There are no more visions!" "God can't be seen!" "God hasn't a
body," and many others. There are answer to these questions, but this is
not the point I wish to make. The real point here is: Why was there the
necessity to have this event, and, more importantly, does the Bible
gives us some clues about it?

To begin our quest for answers, let's start from the apostasy. Many
people don't know the meaning of this word, or that one actually
happened. The word literally means: "move away from the truth". There
are many scriptures which tell of a coming apostasy but the most famous
one is found in II Thessalonians 2:2-3: "That ye be not soon shaken in
mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by
any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away
first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."

Has this event already happened or is this a prophecy yet to be
fulfilled? Let's take a look at history. The Catholic church says that
this apostasy happened when the Protestants broke away from the
church. The Protestants, on the other hand, claim that the Catholic
church was the one who had strayed from the truth (although not
totally).

But the original Protestant was Martin Luther, who was a Catholic
priest. That means, if the Catholic church had lost its authority to
represent Christ, where did Luther get his authority to restore it? That
would be like the ancient Jews who had corrupted the Law of Moses trying
to restore their own religion. Without any authority Martin Luther could
not restore anything. Therefore, he REFORMED the church rather than
restored it back to it's original condition. The Jehovah Witnesses, the
Mormons, the Seventh-day Adventist and a few others, did not come forth
from the Catholic church. As such, they tend to support the idea that
there was indeed an apostasy or a turning away from the truth.

But was there actually an apostasy? Let's look as some different
viewpoints.

There is no contention among Christians that the Jews were surely in a
state of apostasy when Jesus came. In Hebrew 7:11-12 we read, "If
therefore perfection were by the levitical priesthood,(for under it the
people received the law,) what further need was there that another
priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called
after the order of Aaron? for the priesthood being changed, there is
made of necessity a change also for the law."

Here is the real problem! God took away the Melchisedec Priesthood from
the Jews because of their apostasy at the time of Moses. Even so, many
times the Lord wept over Israel because they would not follow his ways.
Jesus himself preached the gospel only to the Jews. If they had accepted
him and his message they surely would have received the greater
Melchisedec Priesthood. But because the majority of them turned away
from the truth, and rejected their own Messiah, the gospel was given to
the Gentiles, and, along with it, the Melchisedec priesthood.

Is it not reasonable to think that if the original church of Christ,
(from which the Catholic church later emerged) didn't follow the
teachings of Jesus -- just like the Jews didn't keep the commandments of
God -- that God would have done the same as he did to the Hebrews?
Although the Catholic church cannot deny the scriptural prophesy about
an apostasy, they claim it is the Protestants who have strayed from the
truth. 

On the other hand, the Protestants also believe in the same scriptures,
however, they lay the turning away from truth on the shoulders of their
mother church. It is for this very reason that they can justify their
claim to reform the church. But look at it this way. Because Martin
Luther was a Catholic priest, he had the authority to reform the church.
But he received that authority from the Pope. But when he rebelled
against the church, the Pope excommunicated him. What happened to
Luther's authority then? Did he have any to reform the church or not?
It's something to think about. It's like a blanket that's too short for
a bed. If it covers the feet, it leave the shoulders uncovered. If it
covers the shoulders it leaves the feet exposed because it cannot cover
everything. And so it is with the reformation. We have a ballet between
apostasy and authority, but the argument doesn't seem to cover
everything.

Both Catholics and Protestants accept as truth the declaration of Christ
where he said in Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of the
hell shall not prevail against it." Because of this, each church feels
that they are the true one and that they are safe from falling into
apostasy.

Although it is true that in the end the Church will prevail (this is
foretold in many places), yet the scriptures are equally clear that
there will also be an apostasy. In Revelation 13:5,7 we're told "And
there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies;
and power was given unto him to continue forty and two month.... and it
was given unto him to make a war with the saints, and to overcome them"

There is no doubt that, in the end, the Church will prevail, but it is
also clear that Satan will win at least some battles, mainly because the
Lord permits it. "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints
and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and
judgment was given to the saints of the Most High." (See also Daniel
7:21-22)

History gives us many clues that this has already happened. The holy
inquisition is one example. Priests, acting  in the name of Jesus
Christ, had people put to death, simply because they had a different
viewpoint. This is the opposite of what Christ taught when he said we
should love our enemies. Can we believe that such people, acting contrary
to the ways of God could maintain their authority to act in the name of
Christ? Some people feel that is possible, but I find that hard to
accept. There is no doubt that there was a turning away from the truth
even before the dark ages.

But what happens after the apostasy has occurred? There is a very
interesting scripture about this found in Acts 3:20-21 which reads: "And
he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the
heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which
God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world
began" What I find interesting is that this scriptures states that these
things were "spoken by the mouth of all his prophets since the world
began". I have searched the scriptures and can't find any other
references related to this subject.
 
Nevertheless, this verse clearly tells us that before the second coming
of the Lord, there will be a restoration of all things. And how can
there be a restoration of all things unless all things were first lost?

But there is another scripture that helps clarify this point. Let's take
a closer look at John 1:19-23. In verse 19 we read, "And this is the
record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to
ask him, Who art thou? And He confessed, I am not the Christ."

The first question the Jews asked was, "Are you the Messiah?" We know
that the Jew were expecting the coming of the Messiah. However, when
John answered that he wasn't, they next asked him, "What then? Are you
Elias? And he said I am not." It's clear from this second question that
the Jews were also awaiting another person, besides the Messiah.
Specifically, a prophet named Elias. It should be noted that if the
prophet Elias was also the Messiah, John would have clarified this
point. However, the way he answered the question is proof enough that he
knew about prophet Elias coming again.

Then the Jews asked John a third question: "Who art thou? that we may
give an answer to them that send us. What sayest thou of thyself? He
said I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the
way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent
were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why
baptizest thou then?"

It is clear from this question that the Jews were familiar with the
practice of baptism as a means of repentance. If they didn't accept this
practice their question would have been, "What are you doing?" or "What
is this all about?" Instead they were asking about his AUTHORITY to
perform this act. It seems certain they felt that both the Messiah (or
Christ) and Elias had the right to perform baptism as part of the
repentance process. Therefore they asked him if he was one of these two
expected prophets.

We have to remark here that at that time the Jews were waiting for three
distinct people -- Elias, the  Messiah and one other prophet. We have
the record of John the Baptist that he knew about these three prophets.
Furthermore, we know now that Christ was the Messiah. But what about
Elias? In our church we believe he has already come and visited Joseph
Smith.. But what about the other prophet? Who is he? Unfortunately there
is no mention of him in the scriptures of the Bible. Yet, not
withstanding this, the Jews and John knew knew about him. Surely they
had others sources of scripture that we don't have today. The Bible
itself supports the idea that something like thirty books are lost, and
it is enough to see how many new books we have now from Nag Hammadi and
Qumran. Those book were found only fifty years ago and not all are
translated, Perhaps in the future we will have more clues about this
important prophet.

I could quote apocryphal sources, but I prefer to stay with scriptures
from the Bible, only because it is common ground that we can all accept.
We have seen that scriptures speak about apostasy and a consequent
restoration of all things. How is it that this will all happen? In
Isaiah 29:13-14 we read, "Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this
people draw me near with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me,
but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is
taught by the precept of men: Therefore behold I will proceed to do a
marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder:
for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of
their prudent men shall be hid."

It seems clear that God is speaking of a people who are in an apostate
condition. They have turned their eyes, ears and lips away from the
Lord's truth. Continuing on in verse 18 we read, "And in that day shall
the deaf hear the words of the book and the eyes of the blind shall see
out of obscurity and out of darkness"

Verses 13 and 14 are the exact words that God the Father spoke to the
Prophet Joseph Smith in the first vision. Somebody could say that Joseph
made up a story about seeing the Father and the Son and just used the
words from Isaiah to make his tale sound more authentic. But Joseph
never quoted verse 18 which explains how the eyes and ears of the people
will be opened. Yet the Book of Mormon fits this prophecy. Since the
Book of Mormon hadn't been revealed to Joseph when he had his first
vision, then it makes sense why God the Father and his Son wouldn't have
quoted this verse. Also, if the Book of Mormon is a fraud then we
certainly need to be watching for another book to come forth from the
Lord that will open the eyes and ears of people in the last days.

Most of the churches today deny there are any more prophecies and
visions. In fact they use I Corinthians 13:8 which reads, "Charity never
faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there
be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall
vanish away."

What I find very interesting is that many Protestants don't believe in
the gift prophecies but they do believe in the gift of tongues. But Paul
also said, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that
which is perfect is come, then which is in part shall be done away." Has
that which is perfect already come? Certainly not. It is interesting to
note that Paul in chapter 14 of the same letter exhorts us to "Follow
after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy"

In verse 22 he further tells us, "Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not
to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying,
serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe" If
the gift of  prophecy is a sign for believers and we no longer believe
in this gift, what does that say about us as believers? In verse 31 Paul
states, "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all
be comforted." And again in verse 39 he tells us, "Wherefore, brethren,
covet to prophesy."

Maybe I don't understand the scriptures, but it seems to me we have only
two conclusions here. Either Paul was crazy (and I don't think so) or
the people have corrupted and turned away from the truths of the
scriptures.

To conclude this debate about the gift of prophecies, let me quote
several scriptures. Revelation 10:11 reads, "And he said unto me Thou
must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and
Kings." (By the way, where are those prophecies?) Revelation 11:3 tells
us, "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall
prophesy a thousand 200 and threescore days." These are at least two
more prophets who will come and prophesy. But how can that be if the
prophecies have ceased? Also in Revelation 19:10 we're told that "the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." If the testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of the prophecy, who can be a Christian if they don't
believe in the spirit of prophecy?

At this point I prefer that all the churches deny prophecies and
visions, because this give me more power in what I am trying to prove.

There are four different versions of the first vision of Joseph Smith,
but only one is the official version. I mention this only because many
people try to point out that Joseph Smith told different versions of his
first vision at various points in his life. However, three of these
version were reported by other people, and it's easy for them to add or
forget something they heard. This even happened to Paul? In Acts we have
two different stories about His vision. Which one is correct and which
one isn't? Both of them can't be right. Bets of all we have in the Bible different accounts about the resurrection of Jesus. In Luke 24:4 it says that two angels appeared at the empty tomb to the women, while in Matthew 28:2 it mentions only one angel appearing to the women. Can I laugh? maybe the same charges given to Joseph Smith should be given to the writers of the New Testament or not?
Also sometimes our "friends" say that once Joseph affirmed to received a vision of an angel another time God, I wrote before that to avoid this confusion Joseph wrote the official version, but why nobody remarks that in the same Bible, speaking of the vision on the Mount of Sinai, and we know for sure Was Jehovah God speaking to Moses, in several other places it is written that an angel appeared to Him, maybe the Bible is no more reliable? or maybe they had the same problem about miscommunication? Because I guess there is a big difference between God and an angel, but in this case the friends stay quiet and calm.
With that understanding, let's go directly to the official declaration.
"Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil
disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, all of which have been
designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a
Church and its progress in the world. I have been induced to write this
history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquiries after truth
in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to
myself and the Church, so far as I have in my possession."

With that having been said, let me quote the scriptures that I believe
supports the idea of the first vision of the prophet Joseph Smith, along
with other similar visions he had, such as the visit of Moroni when he
delivered to him "The Eternal Gospel"

In Habakkuk 2:2-3 we read, "And the Lord answered me and said, Write the
vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it
[by the way, where is this vision?] For the vision is yet for an
appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie:though it
tarry, wait for It; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

So this vision was predestined for an appointed time. It will occur at
the end of time, and more importantly it won't lie. Though it may tarry,
wait for it. Many will ask of me, "What makes you think this scripture
refers to Joseph Smith?" That is simple. First of all, nobody believes
in visions today. Secondly, only Joseph Smith affirmed to have received
one. Do you have any others who claim to have received visions? I'll
concede that maybe this has not been fulfilled yet, but this is the only
thing I can concede to you. As such this remains a problem because
almost all Christian churches declare that there are no more visions. If
that's the case, then we have a scripture in the Bible that can't be
fulfilled!
 
It is interesting to note that the prophet received the command to write
the vision, but in his book we don't have any clue about it, except
concerning the time it will occur and the importance of it. Why is this?
I guess it should be simple to say because we have to live by faith.
Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if in the future, somewhere, especially
in books like the Dead Sea scrolls, we will find this important vision
described. I am aware that Habbakkuk wrote down the vision but not in
his book which is contained in our Bible.

Let's go now to the angel Moroni who delivered the book to the prophet
Joseph. In Revelation 14:6-8 we read, "And I saw another angel fly in
the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them
[others Bibles translate "an everlasting Gospel] that dwell on the
earth." Why does an angel have to preach the everlasting gospel, if we
already had it in the Bible? Does that make sense to you? It does to me.
Continuing on it states that this angel will preach the everlasting
gospel "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying
with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of his
judgment is come."

From this we learn that before the final Judgment an angel  is supposed
to bring the gospel again to all nations of the earth. But why? Do you
remember the word apostasy? (To learn more about the apostasy, read the
article "Faith and works" in this web.) Do you remember Isaiah 29:18 and
all the other passages related to the coming forth in the last days
about a book?
Another interesting clue regarding this topic is
Malachi 3

1

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

2

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

We know for sure that before of the first coming of Jesus a forerunner was appointed to prepare His coming and John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy. Here Malachi is talking about another messenger appointed to prepare the SECOND COMING, verse two can't speak for His first coming but just for the second one, so like for the first coming a forerunner was necessary there should have been another one to prepare His second coming, scripture is clear, who was this forerunner? was the same person who restored by Elijah the chain of the human family or
Malachi 4

5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

6

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 

Maybe it is possible that the whole story about Joseph
Smith and the Book of Mormon is a fraud, but in this particular case the
Bible would be have to be an accomplice to the fraud.

The same things were said by the Jew about Christ. They claimed that He
was so cunning that he was able to fulfill every scripture by fraud. In
the same way Joseph Smith is often accused of being so cunning that he
deliberately did things to make it appear that he fulfilled prophecy.
The problem with that argument is that he never quoted at least fifty
percent of the scriptures contained in this site that he also fulfilled.
At least these others scriptures can't be imputed to him.

To finish I ask the true believers, and those who sincerely believe in
the Bible, don't take everything I say here to be perfect and true, but
"there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven," by which it is possible
to know the truth perfectly and easily, and it is contained in the
Bible. "Ask, and you will receive, knock and you will be open." Many
people say that it's possible for us to  be deceived, but the
scriptures tell us, "But if you ask bread, you won't receive a stone,
and if you ask a fish you won't receive a snake."  This is a promise
from Jesus Himself.

If you want His support, this is the time to seek it. "If any of you
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally" Is it
so hard to kneel in humble prayer to ask God Himself to know the truth?
I don't think so! Either way, everybody has the right to do as he
desires. One man can deceive another, and it was for this reason that I
wrote "don't take everything I say here to be perfect and true" You have
the right and the privilege to ask to the Bearer of all. Who better than
Him to ask? Don't trust me. If you did, that would mean your faith in
Him is very weak. Maybe one day He will ask you: "Did you trust on me
and on my promises? If you did, then why didn't you ask of me?"

I pray to the Lord that you can at least have respect for the opinion of
other's. I did this web site only to defend and explain my personal
belief, but I firmly respect the opinions of everybody and believe in
the saying: "Two different opinions must not divide two sons of God."

So let's respect each other.