Mormonism and Wikipedia/First Vision/Story of the vision

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An analysis of the Wikipedia article "First Vision"

A FairMormon Analysis of Wikipedia: Mormonism and Wikipedia/First Vision A work by a collaboration of authors (Link to Wikipedia article here)

Background in the supernatural

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Story of the vision  Updated 9/17/2011

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Joseph Smith wrote or dictated several versions of his vision story, and told the story to others who later published what they remember hearing. Taken together, these accounts set forth the following details: Smith said that when he was about twelve (c. 1817-18), he became interested in religion and distressed about his sins.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1832) , pp. 1–2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

He studied the Bible and attended church, but the accounts differ as to whether he determined on his own that there was no existing religion built upon the true teachings of Jesus

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1832) , p. 2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or whether the idea that all churches were false had not "entered his heart" until he experienced the vision.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1838) , p. 3.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

During this period of religious concern, he determined to turn to God in prayer. An early account says the purpose of this prayer was to ask God for mercy for his sins

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1832) , p. 2.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

while later accounts emphasize his desire to know which church he should join.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1838) , p. 3; Waite (1843) ; Neibaur (1844) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Therefore, as his mother had done years before when concerned about an important religious question,

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1853) , p. 54; Bushman (2005) , p. 26.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said he went one spring morning to a secluded grove near his home to pray.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842b) , p. 728.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

He said he went to a stump in a clearing where he had left his axe the day before

Author's sources:

1. • Waite (1843) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and began to offer his first audible prayer.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842b) , p. 727.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

He said his prayer was interrupted by a "being from the unseen world" more powerful than any he had previously encountered.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842c) , p. 748; Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said the spirit caused his tongue to swell in his mouth so that he could not speak,

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 23. Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

One account said he heard a noise behind him like someone walking towards him

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 23.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and then, when he tried to pray again, the noise grew louder, causing him to spring to his feet and look around, but he saw no one.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 23.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In some of the accounts, he described being covered with a thick darkness and thinking that he would be destroyed.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

At his darkest moment, he knelt a third time to pray

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 23.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and, as he summoned all his power to pray, he felt ready to sink into oblivion.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

At that moment, he said his tongue was loosed and he saw a vision.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 23; Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith said he saw a pillar of light brighter than the noonday sun that slowly descended on him,

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1832) , p. 3;Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

growing in brightness as it descended and lighting the entire area for some distance.

Author's sources:

1. • Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

As the light reached the tree tops, Smith feared the trees might catch fire.

Author's sources:

1. • Pratt (1840) , p. 5; 1835 , p. 24.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

But when it reached the ground and enveloped him, it produced a "peculiar sensation."

Author's sources:

1. • Pratt (1840) , p. 5

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

"[H]is mind was caught away from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision."

Author's sources:

1. • Pratt (1840) , p. 5; Smith (1842a) , p. 706.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

While experiencing the vision, he said he saw one or more "personages," described differently in Smith's accounts. In one, Smith said he "saw the Lord."

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1832) , p. 3.

FAIR's Response

{{IndexClaimItemShort |title=Check link or content |claim= In diary entries, he said he saw a "visitation of Angels" |authorsources=

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 37.

|response=

• {{WikipediaCorrect)
• Joseph's 9 November 1835 diary entry states,

a pillar of fire appeared above my head, it presently rested down upon me head, and filled me with Joy unspeakable, a personage appeard in the midst of this pillar of flame which was spread all around, and yet nothing consumed, another personage soon appeard like unto the first, he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee, he testified unto me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; and I saw many angels in this vision... (emphasis added)

• The second entry, recorded only five days later on 14 November 1835, mentions "angels,"

I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14. years old...

• For a detailed response, see: First Vision/Accounts/1835 and First Vision/Accounts/1835/Mentions "Angels"

}}

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or a "vision of angels" that included "a personage," and then "another personage" who testified that "Jesus Christ is the Son of God," as well as "many angels".

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1835) , p. 24.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In later accounts, Smith consistently said that he had seen two personages who appeared one after the other.

Author's sources:

1. • Neibaur (1844) ; Waite (1843) .

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

These personages "exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness."

Author's sources:

1. • Pratt (1840) , p. 5; Smith (1842a) , p. 707.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

The first personage had "light complexion, blue eyes, a piece of white cloth drawn over his shoulders, his right arm bare."

Author's sources:

1. • Neibaur (1844)

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In later accounts, one of the personages called Smith by name "and said, (pointing to the other), 'This is my beloved Son, hear him.'"

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Although Smith left their identity unexplicit, most Latter Day Saints infer that these personages were God the Father and Jesus.

Author's sources:

1. • Taylor (1879) , p. 161. Taylor, who stated he had heard the story from Smith himself, said the personages were "the Lord" and "his Son Jesus."

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In two accounts, Smith said that the Lord told him his sins were forgiven, that he should obey the commandments, that the world was corrupt, and that the Second Coming was approaching.

Author's sources:

1. • 1832 , p. 3.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Later accounts say that when the personages appeared, Smith asked them "O Lord, what church shall I join?"

Author's sources:

1. • Waite 1843

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

or "Must I join the Methodist Church?"

Author's sources:

1. • Neibaur 1844

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

In answer, he was told that "all religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom."

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842a) , p. 707; Pratt (1840) , p. 5.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

All churches and their professors were "corrupt",

Author's sources:

1. • Waite (1843) Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

and "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight."

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842c) , p. 748

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

Smith was told not to join any of the churches, but that the "fulness of the gospel" would be known to him at a later time.

Author's sources:

1. • Smith (1842a) , p. 707; Pratt (1840) , p. 5. One account also said that "many other things did [the personage] say unto me which I cannot write at this time." Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

The author(s) of Check link or content make(s) the following claim:

After the vision withdrew, Smith said he "came to myself" and found himself sprawled on his back.

Author's sources:

1. • Waite (1843) ; Smith (1842c) , p. 748.

References

Wikipedia references for "First Vision"

• Abanes, Richard, (2002), One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church , New York: Four Walls Eight Windows .
• Allen, James B., (1980), Emergence of a Fundamental: The Expanding Role of Joseph Smith's First Vision in Mormon Religious Thought off-site .
• Allen, James B., (1966), The Significance of Joseph Smith's First Vision in Mormon Thought off-site .
• Anderson, Richard Lloyd, Joseph Smith’s Testimony of the First Vision off-site .
• Anderson, Richard Lloyd, (1969), Circumstantial Confirmation Of the first Vision Through Reminiscences off-site .
• Backman, Milton V., Jr., (1969), Awakenings in the Burned-over District: New Light on the Historical Setting of the first Vision off-site .
• Berge, Dale L., Archaeological Work at the Smith Log House off-site .
• Bauder, Peter, Vogel, Dan (editor) (1834), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Bitton, Davis, (1994), Historical Dictionary of Mormonism , Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press .
• Brown, Matthew B., Historical or Hysterical— Anti-Mormons and Documentary Sources Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research off-site .
• Bushman, Richard Lyman, (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling , New York: Knopf .
• Cowdery, Oliver, Far West Record: Minutes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830–1844 , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company .
• Cowdery, Oliver, (1834), Letter III off-site .
• Cowdery, Oliver, (1835), Letter IV off-site .
• Flake, Kathleen, (2004), The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle University of North Carolina Press .
• Hill, Marvin S., (1980), The First Vision Controversy: A Critique and Reconciliation .
• Howard, Richard P., (1980), Joseph Smith's First Vision: The RLDS Tradition off-site .
• Howe, Eber Dudley, ed., The Mormon Creed off-site .
• Jessee, Dean (1989), The Papers of Joseph Smith: Autobiographical and Historical Writings {{{pages}}}
• Jessee, Dean C., (Spring, 1971), How Lovely was the Morning off-site .
• Jessee, Dean C., (1969), Early Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision .
• Mormon History off-site .
• Mack, Solomon, (1811), A Narraitve [sic] of the Life of Solomon Mack Windsor: Solomon Mack off-site .
• Matzko, John A., (2007), The Encounter of the Young Joseph Smith with Presbyterianism .
• McKune, Joshua, Review of Mormonism: Rejoiner to Elder Cadwell off-site .
• Neibaur, Alexander, (1841–48), Journal of Alexander Neibaur off-site .
• Palmer, Grant H., (2002), An Insider's View of Mormon Origins Signature Books .
• Phelps, W.W., ed., (1833), A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ , Zion: William Wines Phelps & Co. off-site .
• Porter, Larry C., (1969), Reverend George Lane—Good "Gifts", Much "Grace", and Marked "Usefulness" off-site .
• Pratt, Orson, (1840), A Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records , Edinburgh: Ballantyne and Hughes off-site .
• Quinn, D. Michael, (1998), Early Mormonism and the Magic World View Signature Books .
• Ray, Craig N., (2002), Joseph Smith's History Confirmed Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research off-site .
• Riley, I. Woodbridge, (1903), The Founder of Mormonism: A Psychological Study of Joseph Smith, Jr. , New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. off-site
• Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS Church off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1832), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1835), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1838), History of the Church , copied to Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1839–1843), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith Deseret Book .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842a), Church History [Wentworth Letter] off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842b), History of Joseph Smith off-site .
• Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1842c), History of Joseph Smith off-site .
• Smith, Lucy Mack, (1853), Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations , Liverpool: S.W. Richards off-site .
• Smith, William, (1883), William Smith on Mormonism: A True Account of the Origin of the Book of Mormon , Lamoni, Iowa: RLDS Church off-site .
• Smith, William, (1884), The Old Soldier's Testimony off-site .
• Tanner, Jerald and Sandra (1987 (5th ed)), Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? {{{pages}}}
• Taylor, John, How a Knowledge of God is Obtained—The Gospel to the Dead—Various Dispensations of the Most High to Mankind—Power of the Priesthood—Restoration of the Gospel Through Joseph Smith—Failings of the Saints—Corruptions of the Wicked off-site .
• Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
• Turner, Orasmus, (1851), History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and Morris' Reserve , Rochester, New York: William Alling off-site .
• Vogel, Dan (editor) (1996), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Vogel, Dan (editor) (1999), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Vogel, Dan (editor) (2000), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Vogel, Dan (editor) (2002), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Vogel, Dan (editor) (2003), Early Mormon Documents , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Vogel, Dan, (2004), Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet , Salt Lake City: Signature Books .
• Waite, David Nye, Sr., The Prairies, Nauvoo, Joseph Smith, the Temple, the Mormons &c off-site .

Further reading

FAIR Answers—back to home page

Mormonism and Wikipedia

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FairMormon's approach to Wikipedia articles

FairMormon regularly receives queries about specific LDS-themed Wikipedia articles with requests that we somehow "fix" them. Although some individual members of FAIR may choose to edit Wikipedia articles, FairMormon as an organization does not. Controversial Wikipedia articles require constant maintenance and a significant amount of time. We prefer instead to respond to claims in the FAIR Wiki rather than fight the ongoing battle that LDS Wikipedia articles sometimes invite. From FAIR’s perspective, assertions made in LDS-themed Wikipedia articles are therefore treated just like any other critical (or, if one prefers, "anti-Mormon") work. As those articles are revised and updated, we will periodically update our reviews to match.

Who can edit Wikipedia articles?

Editors who wish to participate in editing LDS-themed Wikipedia articles can access the project page here: Wikipedia:WikiProject Latter Day Saint movement. You are not required to be LDS in order to participate—there are a number of good non-LDS editors who have made valuable contributions to these articles.

Recommendations when editing Wikipedia articles

FAIR does not advocate removing any references from Wikipedia articles. The best approach to editing Wikipedia is to locate solid references to back up your position and add them rather than attempting to remove information. Individuals who intend to edit should be aware that posting information related to the real-world identities of Wikipedia editors will result in their being banned from editing Wikipedia. Attacking editors and attempting to "out" them on Wikipedia is considered very bad form. The best approach is to treat all Wikipedia editors, whether or not you agree or disagree with their approach, with respect and civility. An argumentative approach is not constructive to achieving a positive result, and will simply result in what is called an "edit war." Unfortunately, not all Wikipedia editors exhibit good faith toward other editors (see, for example, the comment above from "Duke53" or comments within these reviews made by John Foxe's sockpuppet "Hi540," both of whom repeatedly mocked LDS beliefs and LDS editors prior to their being banned.)

Do LDS editors control Wikipedia?

Although there exist editors on Wikipedia who openly declare their affiliation with the Church, they do not control Wikipedia. Ironically, some critics of the Church periodically falsely accuse Wikipedia editors of being LDS simply because they do not accept the critics' desired spin on a particular article.

Do "anti-Mormons" control Wikipedia?

Again, the answer is no. The truth is that Wikipedia is generally self-policing. Highly contentious articles do tend to draw the most passionate supporters and critics.

Why do certain LDS articles seem to be so negative?

Although some LDS-related Wikipedia articles may appear to have a negative tone, they are in reality quite a bit more balanced than certain critical works such as One Nation Under Gods. Although many critical editors often accuse LDS-related Wikipedia articles of being "faith promoting" or claim that they are just an extension of the Sunday School manual, this is rarely the case. Few, if any, Latter-day Saints would find Wikipedia articles to be "faith promoting." Generally, the believers think that the articles are too negative and the critics believe that the articles are too positive. LDS Wikipedia articles should be informative without being overtly faith promoting. However, most of the primary sources, including the words of Joseph Smith himself, are "faith promoting." This presents a dilemma for Wikipedia editors who want to remain neutral. The unfortunate consequence is that Joseph's words are rewritten and intermixed with contradictory sources, resulting in boring and confusing prose.

FairMormon's analysis of LDS-related Wikipedia articles

We examine selected Wikipedia articles and examine them on a "claim-by-claim" basis, with links to responses in the FairMormon Answers Wiki. Wikipedia articles are constantly evolving. As a result, the analysis of each article will be updated periodically in order to bring it more into line with the current version of the article. The latest revision date may be viewed at the top of each individual section. The process by which Wikipedia articles are reviewed is the following:

1. Update each Wikipedia passage and its associated footnotes.
2. Examine the use of sources and determine whether or not the passage accurately represents the source used.
3. Provide links to response articles within the FairMormon Answers Wiki.
4. If violation of Wikipedia rules is discovered, identify which Wikipedia editor (by pseudonym) made the edit, provide a description of the rule violated and a link to the Wikipedia "diff" showing the actual edit.
5. If a violated rule is later corrected in a subsequent revision, the violation is removed and a notation is added that the passage is correct per cited sources. This doesn't mean that FAIR necessarily agrees with the passage—only that it is correct based upon the source used.

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, "Mormonism and Wikipedia: The Church History That “Anyone Can Edit”"

Roger Nicholson,  Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, (2012)

The ability to quickly and easily access literature critical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been made significantly easier through the advent of the Internet. One of the primary sites that dominates search engine results is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that “anyone can edit.” Wikipedia contains a large number of articles related to Mormonism that are edited by believers, critics, and neutral parties. The reliability of information regarding the Church and its history is subject to the biases of the editors who choose to modify those articles. Even if a wiki article is thoroughly sourced, editors sometimes employ source material in a manner that supports their bias. This essay explores the dynamics behind the creation of Wikipedia articles about the Church, the role that believers and critics play in that process, and the reliability of the information produced in the resulting wiki articles.

Click here to view the complete article

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Wikipedia and anti-Mormon literature

Key sources	Roger Nicholson, "Mormonism and Wikipedia: The Church History That 'Anyone Can Edit'," Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 1/8 (14 September 2012). [151–190] link
Wiki links	Mormonism and Wikipedia Martin Harris—analysis of wikipedia treatment Oliver Cowdery—analysis of wikipedia treatment First Vision—analysis of wikipedia treatment Joseph Smith—analysis of wikipedia treatment Golden plates—analysis of wikipedia treatment Three Witnesses—analysis of wikipedia treatment
Online	"Wiki Wars: In battle to define beliefs, Mormons and foes wage battle on Wikipedia", Michael De Groote, Deseret News, January 30, 2011. "Wiki Wars: In battle to define beliefs, Mormons and foes wage battle on Wikipedia", Michael De Groote, Mormon Times, January 31, 2011. "Something Wiki This Way Comes: How collaborative editing is changing the face of online LDS apologetics", R. Scott Lloyd, Church News, August 8, 2011. Something Wiki This Way Comes: How Collaborative Editing is Changing the Face of Online LDS Apologetics. A close look at the challenges and history of editing LDS topics in a Wikipedia. This is a 2011 FAIR conference presentation by Roger Nicholson, in PDF format.
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