Joseph Smith's First Vision/Joseph Smith's early conception of God

1. REDIRECTTemplate:Test3

Did Joseph began his prophetic career with a "trinitarian" idea of God?

Answers portal
First Vision & Related Issues
RESOURCES
Overview: Summary article Leading up to the vision: Methodist camp meetings in 1820 Joseph became "partial" to Methodists Religious revivals in 1820 Place of residence in 1820 The vision: First Vision accounts (summary) 1832 account (overview) Early understanding of God? No new dispensation? Different age? Different motivation? No persecution? No revival? Not forbidden to convert? Wicked destroyed? Only one Deity? In heaven or earth? Unconditional salvation? Struggle with Satan? 1835 account (overview) Personages were angels? 1838 account (overview) 1820 Revival? "It commenced with the Methodists" Paul's accounts of his vision Scholars solved discrepancies? Can't see God without priesthood? After the vision: No ref in 1830s publications? Seldom mentioned in LDS pubs bef 1877? No ref in non-LDS pubs before 1843? Taught Joseph saw "God" in 1830 pub? No published ref to Father and Son until 1838? Joseph unsure of God in 1823? Lucy joined Presbyterians in 1823? Joined other churches? All churches wrong? Fabricated to bolster authority? Details added over time? Created to offset leadership crisis? Others' accounts: George Q. Cannon Cowdery version of 1834-5? Orson Hyde Andrew Jenson Heber C. Kimball| Orson Pratt George A. Smith Wilford Woodruff Lucy Mack Smith Orson Spencer John Taylor Brigham never spoke of 1st vision? Brigham claimed an angel? Seldom published pre-1877 (short) (long) Moroni's visit: Moroni's visit (summary) Nephi or Moroni in 1823? A "spirit" visited Joseph in 1827? Moroni as an "angel of Satan" Joseph's siblings remained asleep? Other criticisms: D&C 121:28 contradicts vision? Father: Spirit vs. Embodied Personages seen by Joseph
PERSPECTIVES
MEDIA
OTHER PORTALS
Joseph Smith, Jr.

Questions

• Did Joseph Smith begin his prophetic career with a "trinitarian" idea of God?
• Did he only later developed his theology of the Godhead?
• What do we know about Joseph and the early Saints' views on God?

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here

1. REDIRECTEvents after the First Vision

Notes