FAIR

Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me

FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 3: January 13–19 “I Saw a Pillar of Light"

Joseph Smith –  History 1:1-26

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

The First Vision clarified one of the most fundamental doctrines of the Restoration: the nature of God.

  • During the vision, Joseph Smith witnessed the Father introducing His Son, saying, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JSH 1:17). This declaration was both visual and auditory, affirming that the Father and Son are separate beings with distinct roles. This understanding directly contradicted prevailing Christian doctrines of the Trinity, which often described God as a single, incomprehensible entity. Instead, Latter-day Saints understand God and Christ as united in purpose but distinct in personage.
  • The vision demonstrated that God is deeply invested in His children’s lives and is willing to appear and communicate directly with them. This revealed a personal, approachable God, countering the impersonal view held by many Christian denominations of Joseph’s time. It underscores the divine potential of humanity as literal children of God who can receive His guidance and love.

Joseph Smith’s experience illustrates the importance of personal revelation in navigating spiritual confusion.

  • Joseph’s prayer was inspired by his study of James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” This verse resonated deeply with him, illustrating the power of the scriptures to spark personal revelation. Joseph’s example teaches that studying and pondering scripture prepares individuals to recognize and act on divine guidance in their own lives.
  • Joseph approached God with humility, sincerity, and faith. His example shows that divine answers often come to those who prepare themselves spiritually and ask in faith. Even for those who may not experience visions, answers can come as impressions, inspiration, or feelings of peace. Joseph’s story assures believers that God listens and responds to their heartfelt petitions.

The First Vision underscored the reality of a widespread apostasy and the need for a complete Restoration of Christ’s Church.

  • Joseph’s world was filled with “a war of words and tumult of opinions” (JSH 1:10). The divisions among denominations reflected a departure from Christ’s original Church, as prophesied in scripture (Amos 8:11-12). The First Vision confirmed that no existing church at the time carried the fullness of truth or priesthood authority, validating the need for a Restoration.
  • Prophecies about a “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) found fulfillment in the Restoration initiated by the First Vision. This event marked the beginning of God’s work to reestablish His Church, restore priesthood keys, and bring back doctrines and ordinances that had been lost. Joseph’s vision signified a pivotal moment in fulfilling God’s plan for the latter days.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The First Vision occurred during the Second Great Awakening, a time of intense religious fervor and revivalism in America.
  • Joseph Smith described the chaos of his time, where competing religious sects each claimed to have the truth (JSH 1:10).
  • This environment created division even within families, as seen in Joseph’s own household, where his mother and siblings joined the Presbyterian faith while he remained undecided. This confusion mirrors modern challenges, where competing ideologies and voices often leave individuals seeking clarity and direction.
  • The spiritual awakening in Joseph’s region heightened interest in religion and the search for divine truth. While the competing sects caused confusion, they also created a fertile environment for the Restoration, as people sought answers to deep spiritual questions. 
  • Joseph’s experience demonstrated that amidst religious turmoil, God can provide clarity and direction for those who seek Him sincerely.
  • Joseph’s spiritual journey was shaped by both his external environment and his inner longing for truth.
  • Despite being young and uneducated, Joseph showed an unusual level of engagement with scripture. His study of James 1:5 reflects a thoughtful and deliberate approach to solving the spiritual confusion he faced.
  • This scripture became the foundation of his faith-filled decision to pray, demonstrating the importance of relying on the word of God to navigate uncertainty.
  • Even before the vision, Joseph endured significant internal struggles. He described the “poignant feelings” and “serious reflections” that arose from the religious contention of his day (JSH 1:8).
  • These experiences prepared him to seek answers from God with sincerity and faith. His perseverance through personal doubt and external opposition exemplifies how trials can refine and prepare individuals for divine experiences.
  • Joseph recorded his First Vision experience several times throughout his life, each providing unique perspectives.
  • The various accounts of the First Vision, though differing in emphasis and detail, consistently affirm the central event: Joseph saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
  • Much like the Gospels in the New Testament, these accounts provide a fuller understanding of the vision and its impact on Joseph.
  • They also reflect the natural development of his understanding of the event over time, enhancing its credibility rather than diminishing it.
  • Each account was tailored to the audience and purpose for which it was given.
  • For example, Joseph’s 1832 account focuses on his personal yearning for forgiveness, while later accounts emphasize the broader message of the Restoration.
  • Understanding the context of these accounts helps readers appreciate their value as historical documents and spiritual testimonies.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  • Claim: The differing details among Joseph’s multiple accounts suggest fabrication or dishonesty.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence: Variations in personal accounts are consistent with how people recall significant experiences. Historians recognize that different versions of an event can add depth rather than detract from credibility. The central elements of the First Vision—God the Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph—are consistent across all accounts.
    2. 2. Eyewitness Support: Though Joseph was the only one present at the First Vision, his later testimony gained the unwavering support of individuals like Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and Emma Smith, who accepted his prophetic calling based on their own spiritual confirmations of his integrity.
    3. 3. Spiritual Confirmation: Members of the Church can seek their own spiritual witness of Joseph’s testimony. The Book of Mormon, a product of Joseph’s prophetic calling, serves as evidence of the divine work initiated by the vision.
    4. 4. Logical Analysis: Discrepancies in emphasis reflect the different audiences and purposes of the accounts. For example, the 1832 account highlights Joseph’s search for forgiveness, while the 1838 account emphasizes the apostasy and Restoration. These variations are natural and not indicative of deception.
  • Claim: If the vision were genuine, Joseph would have shared it immediately. His hesitation suggests it was fabricated.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence:
      • Joseph described facing ridicule and persecution when he first shared his vision with a Methodist preacher (JSH 1:21). This negative reaction likely discouraged him from openly discussing the vision until he had greater clarity about his divine mission.
      • 2. Eyewitness Support
      • Joseph’s family and close associates later testified that he began sharing details about his experience as he grew in confidence and understanding of its significance. His initial reticence aligns with human behavior when faced with profound, life-changing experiences.
      • 3. Spiritual Confirmation:
        oseph’s timeline allows modern readers to empathize with his humanity—his experience of doubt, fear, and eventual faith in sharing his story. This process mirrors how many individuals come to terms with their own spiritual experiences.
    3. 4. Logical Analysis of Claim: Immediate disclosure of sacred experiences is not always common. Scriptural figures like Paul, who recounted his vision on the road to Damascus years after the event, demonstrate that timing can depend on the individual’s readiness and divine guidance.
  • Claim: A truly divine experience should have a single, uniform description rather than multiple versions.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence:
      • Many historical and scriptural events are recorded from multiple perspectives. The Gospels, for instance, provide varying accounts of Christ’s ministry. These variations enhance the richness of the narrative and allow different aspects of the event to be understood.
    2. 2. Eyewitness Support:
      • Though Joseph alone experienced the First Vision, his later testimony was shared with diverse audiences—family, believers, and skeptics. His accounts adapted to the needs of each audience while maintaining consistency in core details.
    3. 3. Spiritual Confirmation:
      • Each account of the First Vision reflects the layers of insight Joseph gained over time. Readers are invited to seek spiritual confirmation of its truth and recognize how individual experiences with divine guidance may deepen with reflection.
    4. 4. Logical Analysis of Claim:
      • If the First Vision were fabricated, Joseph might have ensured all accounts were identical to avoid scrutiny. The natural differences among the accounts, coupled with their consistent central themes, suggest authenticity rather than contrivance.
  • Claim: The First Vision contradicts mainstream Christian theology, which holds that visions and revelations ended after the New Testament apostles.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence: Scripture references like Amos 3:7, which states that God reveals His will to prophets, affirm that revelation is an ongoing process. The Restoration aligns with these biblical precedents.
    2. 2. Eyewitness Support: Other early members of the Church, such as Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery, also received divine manifestations, affirming that the First Vision was not an isolated event.
    3. 3. Spiritual Confirmation: Believers are invited to “ask of God” (James 1:5) to receive their own confirmation of the truthfulness of the Restoration, including the First Vision. Many report profound spiritual experiences confirming its divine origin.
    4. 4. Logical Analysis: A loving God who interacted with humanity in biblical times would logically continue to reveal truth in modern times. The First Vision serves as evidence of God’s unchanging nature and desire to guide His children.
  •  
  • Claim: A 14-year-old boy would lack the maturity, knowledge, and spiritual capacity to experience or comprehend a vision of such magnitude, suggesting it is unlikely to be true.
  • Response:
    1. 1. Historical Evidence: God often calls individuals in their youth to accomplish significant tasks. Examples include Samuel, who was called as a prophet while still a child (1 Samuel 3), and Mary, who was likely a teenager when she was visited by the angel Gabriel. Joseph’s youth aligns with a biblical pattern of God using young individuals to fulfill divine purposes.
    2. 2. Eyewitness Support: Joseph’s maturity and spiritual sensitivity at a young age were evident to his family and peers. Despite his age, his account of the vision and subsequent actions inspired confidence in those who became his closest supporters, including older, well-educated individuals like Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery.
    3. 3. Spiritual Confirmation: The principle that God reveals truth to the humble and pure in heart aligns with Joseph’s youth. His lack of formal education and worldly experience positioned him as a vessel for God’s purposes, demonstrating that divine guidance is not limited by age or status.
    4. 4. Logical Analysis: If Joseph were fabricating the story, choosing his age as 14 would weaken his credibility. A young age, however, supports the argument that the First Vision was not the result of personal ambition but a genuine, divinely initiated experience.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Turn to God in prayer and scripture study to seek answers to your questions.

  • Seeking personal revelation invites God into your struggles, allowing Him to provide clarity and comfort tailored to your needs. It strengthens your connection to Him and opens the door for divine guidance.
  • -Set aside uninterrupted time for prayer, approaching God with honesty and humility.
  • -Study scriptures relevant to your questions, underlining passages that stand out.
  • -Ponder what you’ve read and listen for impressions, feelings, or thoughts that align with divine guidance.
  • -Write down your questions, experiences, and insights to track how God is guiding you over time.

Encouraging Thought: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Just as Joseph Smith found answers in the Sacred Grove, you can find clarity and peace by turning to God in faith.

Action Step: Stand firm in your spiritual experiences, even when facing doubt or criticism from others.

  • Remaining true to what you’ve felt and experienced spiritually builds resilience, deepens your faith, and helps you rely on God’s validation rather than external approval.
  • 1. Reflect on the spiritual experiences that have brought you peace or insight, and record them in a journal to strengthen your memory of them.
  • 2. Pray for courage and reassurance when opposition arises, trusting God’s support.
  • 3. Practice responding to criticism with calm confidence, explaining your experiences without contention.
  • Seek out supportive individuals who share your values and can reinforce your testimony.

Encouraging Thought:  “Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God?” (JSH 1:25). Like Joseph, you can remain steadfast, knowing that your spiritual truths come from God, not human approval.

Action Step: Trust in God’s timing and plan, even when clarity or answers feel delayed.

  • Persevering through confusion and uncertainty demonstrates faith and invites God’s timing, which often brings unexpected blessings and insights. It builds spiritual strength and patience.
  • – Remind yourself of past times when waiting on God resulted in blessings, and record these moments as evidence of His faithfulness.
  • – Surround yourself with uplifting music, scriptures, and talks to keep your focus on God during difficult times.
  • – Serve others or engage in uplifting activities to shift focus from doubt to action.
  • – Pray specifically for peace and patience, trusting that answers will come in God’s perfect time.

Encouraging Thought:
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36). Like Joseph, you can trust that even in times of confusion, God will bring light and clarity in His time.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help teens visualize the chronological events surrounding Joseph Smith’s First Vision, reinforcing their understanding of its context and significance.

  • -Large paper or poster board
  • -Markers or pens
  • -Printouts or digital copies of Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
  • -Sticky notes (optional)
    • Introduction (5 minutes): Show the teens a blank timeline or outline. Explain that the First Vision was not an isolated event but part of a larger story. Ask, “What do you know about Joseph’s life leading up to and following the vision?” Write their answers on a board or sheet of paper.
    • Group Work (10 minutes): Divide the teens into small groups. Assign each group specific verses from Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26, such as his family background, his search for truth, his prayer, the vision itself, and the aftermath. Provide them with materials to write or illustrate key events.
    • Timeline Assembly (10 minutes): Have each group add their events to the timeline in order. As they do, discuss each event’s significance, emphasizing how it contributes to the Restoration narrative.
    • Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes): Review the completed timeline together. Ask, “What do you notice about Joseph’s journey? How do his experiences help us see God’s hand in the Restoration?”

Follow-up Question: How does seeing Joseph’s journey laid out help you better understand the significance of the First Vision and its impact on the Restoration?

Objective: Build students’ confidence in explaining the First Vision and responding to questions about it.

  • – A list of common questions or criticisms about the First Vision (prepared in advance)
  • – Copies of Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26
  • – Optional: A recording device for feedback or review
    • Introduction (5 minutes): Share some common questions or criticisms people might ask about the First Vision (e.g., “Why did Joseph wait so long to share his vision?”). Discuss why it’s important to be prepared to answer such questions with confidence and love.
    • Role-Playing Prep (5 minutes): Divide the group into pairs. Assign one person in each pair to play the role of the “explainer” and the other as the “questioner.” Provide the “questioner” with a question or criticism to present.
    • Role-Playing Activity (10 minutes): Allow each pair to practice. Encourage the “explainers” to reference Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 in their responses and focus on sharing their testimony, not debating. After a few minutes, have them switch roles and repeat the process with a different question.
    • Group Feedback (5 minutes): Gather everyone and discuss what they learned. Ask, “What was challenging about responding to questions? What made it easier?”

Follow-up Question: How did preparing answers help you feel more confident in sharing your testimony of Joseph’s experience?

Objective: Encourage teens to draw parallels between Joseph’s experience and their own spiritual journeys, emphasizing the principle of personal revelation.

  • – Journals or paper
  • – Pens or pencils
  • – Optional: Quiet background music for reflection
    • Introduction (5 minutes): Briefly recount Joseph’s feelings of confusion and his decision to pray for wisdom (JSH 1:10-13). Ask, “Have you ever felt confused or uncertain about something important? What did you do about it?”
    • Individual Reflection (10 minutes): Hand out journals or paper. Invite teens to write about a time they faced a difficult question or decision and how they sought help. Encourage them to include details about what they learned and how it strengthened their faith.
    • Sharing and Discussion (10 minutes): Invite those who feel comfortable to share their experiences. Discuss how seeking answers through prayer, scripture study, or counsel from trusted leaders can bring peace and clarity.
    • Application (5 minutes): Challenge teens to think of a current question or concern and commit to seeking answers through prayer and study this week.

Follow-up Question: How does remembering times when God has answered your prayers strengthen your faith in His guidance?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • – Joseph Smith sought wisdom amid religious confusion (JSH 1:10).
  • – He received a divine answer in the form of a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ (JSH 1:17-20).
  • – He was instructed not to join any existing churches, as they were in a state of apostasy (JSH 1:18-19).
  • – Variations in First Vision accounts add depth and credibility, similar to differing Gospel accounts of Christ’s life.
  • – The First Vision establishes fundamental LDS doctrines about God and ongoing revelation.