Blog #32

By Kevin V. Hunt

This is a talk which I presented in Sacrament meeting in our “missionary ward” on Sunday, January 19, 2025 – in Nauvoo, Illinois

Greetings, friends and fellow laborers here in Nauvoo.

Today I will quote many verses from Joseph Smith’s own history as he recorded the events of the Restoration.  This history was written in 1838 and as found in our canonized “Pearl of Great Price.  I knew months ago that at some future time, I would be asked to give a sacrament meeting talk.  And months ago, I determined that Joseph’s First vision as contained in his history would be my topic.  President Workman invited me three weeks ago to speak today and on that day, I finalized my talk. Then last week as Sister Hunt and I did our “Comr Follow Me”, we noted that the reading for toay was to be from Joseph’ history. So, maybe we need the duplication.

Ours is a great blessing to serve as missionaries here in Nauvoo.  As we serve here, we have the opportunity to learn more of and to focus upon the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Sometimes, we even feel guilty as we might think that we focus more upon Joseph Smith than on Christ.  Such is not the case for us as we teach and testify of Joseph, we are actually testifying of Christ, because it was He who called and commissioned Joseph Smith as His chosen prophet.

In 2020, President Russell M. Nelson, our prophet, invited us to read and to study the First Vision in preparation for the upcoming 2020 April General Conference – which celebrated the bi-centennial (200-year anniversary) of the First Vision.  I accepted his challenge then and enjoyed receiving personal revelation relative to the First Vision.  I continue that quest here in Navuoo.

BACKGROUND AND SETTING:

Joseph’s family had lived in Vermont and other places as they tried to eek out a living as poor but determined farmers.  And recently they had moved to the village of Palmyra in Western New York.  This was not a chance move for the Smith family.  The Lord guided and brought them to this location.  He needed them there.  He needed Joseph to be there for future events.  For fourteen hundred years previous to this time, God had directed an ancient American Prophet, named Moroni, to bury sacred metal records in a hill near this Palmyra.  Joseph needed to be there to be prepared to obtain and receive this record.

In 1820, young Joseph Smith went in to a grove of trees near his home to pray.  He was a religious, sober and reflective young man who was very concerned about his standing before God.  Following his prayer, he was visited by God, our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The Holy Ghost was also present and testified to Joseph’s heart of the divinity of his Heavenly messengers.  We can learn much truth from this vision and subsequent events surrounding the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH’S FAMILY HELPED PREPARE JOSEPH FOR HEAVENLY ANSWERS:

Joseph was a young man who was brought up in a strong religious home.  Scripture reading and prayer were a part of his every day experience as he grew up in the Smith home.  The Bible was readily available to him in his home.  The scriptures were read frequently as a family and he spent much individual time reading the scriptures.  This Christian upbringing prepared Joseph’s young mind for his questions relative to God’s plan for him, taught him that with faith, he could talk to God and receive answers from Him.

There was much action in the community relative to religion.  God also had a hand in this revival excitement in that it helped instill questions and concerns in the mind of young Joseph.  Joseph attended the meetings of various preachers and denominations.  He had read of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.  He seriously sought for a church that mirrored that of the former day church.  But the more he heard from these various preachers, the more he was confused.   His family members added to the confusion as they joined different churches. Joseph did not want to make a hasty decision.  He wanted to KNOW which church was right and which he should join before he took action.   He sincerely believed that there was a true church to which he should become affiliated.  And Joseph was concerned about his own spiritual situation and wanted to be “right with God” in his conscience, feelings and actions.

JOSEPH PREPARED HIMSELF SPIRITUALLY TO RECEIVE PERSONAL REVELATION:

Joseph teaches us how to study the scriptures:  In verses 11 and 12 of his history, Joseph states:

               “I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads:  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.  Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine.  It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart.  I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God I did …”

Joseph thought of these verses frequently over time and pondered their application to himself.  His was not just a single reading of these verses. Joseph studied them over and over again and thought of them deeply.  “Can God really hear me and answer my prayers,” he wondered?  “If any of you lack wisdom …”  And Joseph certainly felt that he did lack wisdom.  “Let him ask of God … And let him ask in faith …”  Joseph wondered if he had the faith to ask of God and to receive an answer. 

               Verse 13:  At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God.  I at length came to the determination to “ask of God”.

Again, this was not a quick decision.  He thought of these questions again and again.  This pondering, combined with his simple but strong faith in God, ultimately led him to the grove. 

               Verse 13:  So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt.”

Joseph checked out possible places in the grove, maybe going there multiple times to ponder his questions and heart desires.  Finally, he found his desired spot and he thought of this spot a few times and maybe even visited the spot over the next several days as he tried to envision how he would pray and what he would do.

Then, having made his decision, Joseph was at peace.  He was excited as he looked forward to the experience ahead.  And then the morning came.    He got up real early (likely on a Sabbath Day but if a weekday, before the planned work of the day).

               Verse 14:  It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty”

 Joseph went firmly knowing of his plan for prayer and he had the faith to know that he could receive his desired answers.

               Verse 15:  “… I retired to the place where I had previously designed to go … [and] looked around me, and [found] myself alone.”

Joseph purposely went to the quiet place he had previously selected and where he knew he could be alone to commune with his Heavenly Father and to offer his heart out to God.  He went to his chosen spot deep in the woods – a place in nature that was calm and beautiful.  He went to the grove in the early morning – when the world was most beautiful and serene.  No doubt he sat again and pondered the beauty around him and his mission in going there.  He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the morning as well as the beautiful creations around him.  He prepared spiritually for his desired experience.  He likely had no idea of the magnitude of what would follow but somehow in his heart, he believed in faith that he would feel and know the desires of his heart.   He knew that it was time to exercise his mission and reason for going to the woods. 

Verse 14: “It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never made the attempt to pray vocally.”

Joseph had prayed in his mind and heart many times in his life previous to this occasion.  But, this occasion was different in that he felt a need to pray vocally.   He had not done this before.  But, in so doing, he believed that he could more directly speak with God.  He wanted to use his voice and not just inner feelings.  He spoke vocally with the faith that his God could  actually hear his voice.  He opened his mouth and slowly began with the words, he had read so many times in his scriptures:  “Oh, God, the Eternal Father … Hallowed be Thy name … ”  He probably paused there a moment thinking of how to say next what he wanted to say and also waiting for a response back.  He wanted to know and feel that he was being heard.

               Verse 15: “I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God.”

Joseph knelt down and folded his arms and quietly bowed his head.  He waited a few moments as he tried to imagine speaking with God and the questions that permeated his mind.  In faith he began softly … “Oh, God, the Eternal Father …”

               Verse 15: “… Immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak.  Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.”

Joseph was overcome with an over-powering darkness.  He knew that he was struck by a very negative power.  He could not move.  He was about to give up as this power bore down upon him.  From this experience, he came to know without a doubt that Satan was real and that he was working hard to thwart the work of God.

               Verse 16: “Exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction – not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being …”

JOSEPH IS DELIVERED FROM THE EVIL INFLUENCE THAT HAD HELD HIM BOUND:

Joseph prayed with great fervor and increased intensity exerting all inner strength that he had, “OH GOD …  Help me … Save me …” (He was trying desperately to hold on … to be rid of the overwhelming power of darkness.  The record does not say this, but Joseph likely needed help to get rid of Satan.  God appeared and likely told Satan to depart).

And then with Satan ousted from the scene, God then was able to speak to Joseph.  Joseph was probably worn out, exhausted from his encounter with Satan.

JOSPEH IS VISITED IN PERSON BY TWO ANGELIC BEINGS:

Verses 16 & 17:  “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.” …  “I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.”

Joseph must have looked with great joy and gladness upon the two personages there before him.  He was then overcome and amazed at the brightness around him .  The Holy Ghost came upon him and he was able to see and comprehend the two people who stood before him.  He thought he was seeing angels.  At this point, he did not know who they were.  But, he knew that the darkness and depression was gone.  And he could feel and see the glorious and exquisite brightness before him.  As his eyes adjusted to the light, (and as now prepared of the Holy Ghost to see God), Joseph now relieved, overwhelmed with joy and peace as he basked in the light and glory of the scene before his eyes.

               Verse 17: “When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description standing above me in the air.  One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other – This is my Beloved Son, Hear him!”

GOD CALLS JOSEPH BY NAME AND INTRODUCES HIS SON TO JOSEPH:

We can only imagine how God the Father and Jesus smiled upon Joseph.  They likely told him that they had come in answer to his prayers.  And then God smiled again and quietly said, “Joseph … This is my Beloved Son, here him!”   Joseph knew then that it was God, the Father, who was talking with him.  He gazed and listened with rapt attention and great joy as the significance of the occasion began to sink into his soul.

Jesus added his own self-introduction to himself as he said, “I am the Lord of Glory.  I was crucified for the world …”  (First Vision 1832 Version)  The Lord then asked Joseph, “Joseph, what can we do for you?”  Joseph then said that he had come seeking forgiveness of his sins.  Imagine the joy as the Lord said, “Joseph, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee.  Go thy way.  Walk in my statutes and keep my commandments.” (1832 Version of the First Vision)

Joseph expressed his sincere gratitude for this feeling of grace that he felt from his Savior.  He had a feeling of great joy and peace in his mind and heart.

               Verse 18: “My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join.  No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects were right. … and which I should join.”

Joseph then also stated the second reason why he had come to the Lord in prayer.  He said, “I am confused about the many churches and I want to know which church I should join.”  J

“At this time it had never entered into my heart that all [churches] were wrong …”  

Joseph was surprised when the Lord told him that none of the churches then on the earth were His true church and that Joseph was to join none of them, The Lord said to Joseph:

Verse 19: “… they [are] all wrong … [for] their creeds [are] an abomination in [my] sight, … those professors [are] all corrupt; [and] they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof”.

Verse 20: “again [Jesus]  forbade me to join with any of them.”

In verse 28,  Joseph states that he was “called of God” for a future work and also told by the Lord that he, Joseph, would later be an instrument in His hands to restore His true church to the earth.  We have no other details at this time, but there must have been much other conversation and instruction given to Joseph from his Heavenly visitors.  For said Joseph,

Verse 20:  “And many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time.”  (JS History, Verse 20)

As the “interview” concluded, Joseph found himself on his “back looking up into heaven.”  Joseph notes that “when the light had departed, I had no strength”.  (JSH-Verse 20)    He was spiritually and physically exhausted.   He remained in the grove for a time as he pondered on what he had just experienced.  And having recovered somewhat, Joseph returned to his home.  He went quietly – in reverent awe of what we now refer to as “Joseph Smith’s First Vision”.   He said within himself,

And this is quoted from Joseph’s 1832 version of the First Vision:  “I beheld a [glorious] vision … I know that I did.  I saw God, the Father of the Universe and His Son, my savior, Jesus Christ.”  And said Joseph, “My soul was filled with love and for many days I could rejoice with great joy.  The Lord was with me.”

Joseph did not run quickly to tell his mother of his experiences but as he came into the house, Lucy Mack Smith could see that Joseph was exhausted.  She wondered what had happened to him.  Mother Smith asked her son if he was alright or if he was sick.  Joseph told his mother what he had seen, experienced and felt.  He knew that his mother would believe his words.  And she did.  And then he gave her a little jab as he said, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism [the church she had joined] is not true”  (JS-History verse 20.)

What a glorious vision Joseph Smith experienced.  And because of his experience, he would never be the same.  And the world would also be forever changed.  Joseph came out of that grove of trees on that spring morning knowing more about God and Christ than any other man then on the earth.  He would go forth to testify of that which he learned and knew.  Persecution began immediately to rear its ugly head in opposition to the vision that Joseph had seen.  And he recalled the New Testament words of the Apostle Paul who had seen a similar vision soon after the death and resurrection of Christ. 

               Verse 20:  “It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom, else why should the powers of darkness combine against me?  Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?”  (JSH-Verse 20)

Joseph lamented as he experienced intense persecution and said, “It was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.” (JS History, v. 23) but Joseph would forever be bold in his testimony to the world, saying,

Verses 25 and 27:  “It was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision.   …  I saw a light, and heard a voice. “I did see a light, and in the midst of that light, I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me.  I had seen a vision,  I know that I did,  I know it, and I know that God knows it, and I cannot deny it and none of this persecution can make it otherwise.”  “And,” said Joseph, “I will know to my latest breath that I [did] see a light and heard a voice speaking unto me and all the world could not make me think or believe otherwise. …  I continued to affirm that I had seen a vision.”

Joseph knew that he must “continue as I was until I was further directed.”  (JS-History, Verse 26).  That must have been a very hard time for Joseph, but it was a time to ponder, reflect and to prepare for his future mission.  And says Joseph, “I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections” (JSH: Verse 29)  Joseph knew that he had been called of God  (JSH: Verse 28) and that the Church would be restored through him, but Joseph was not given the time table for the events.  When no further direction came to him, he would have been tempted further of the father of lies and who would try to make Joseph doubt the reality of his experience or to give up on his forthcoming mission.  But, in the meantime, Joseph waited patiently knowing that eventually, he would be given further direction.  He continued to read, study, and ponder.  And as time passed, Joseph wondered continually of his status with God.  “Am I still worthy?  What am I to do?”  Joseph wondered what the next step would be and when it might happen.  Finally, the time did come.

               Verse 29: “[On] the twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.”

Like Jesus, Moroni, also a resurrected being, came in the form of a man to Joseph on the night of September 21 and 22, 1823.  In a series of visits, Moroni came in a pillar of light that was brighter than noonday and “his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning.  (JSH: Verse 32)  And Moroni also called Joseph by name (an indication that the angels of heaven know us mortals here on the earth).   Moroni taught Joseph about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, but he also carefully tutored Joseph in the Lord’s continuing call for Joseph to be His prophet.

Later, John the Baptist and Peter, James and John came and bestowed the Priesthood and the associated keys upon Joseph.  With divine authorization and keys, the Restoration had begun!

Joseph’s “First Vision” and all subsequent events that brought forth this restoration were miraculous and amazing.  And because of these events, the world would forever be changed as the Gospel would roll forth to all the world in preparation for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And indeed, we can learn many great and marvelous truths from the First Vision and other events of the Restoration.  And it now becomes the mission of all members of the Church of Jesus Christ – the Latter-day Saints, to be bold in testimony of these truths – knowing that we have the divine revealed knowledge and truths that the world does not know or have.  The people of the world are depending upon and waiting for us to share the glorious message with them.  It is essential to them and for the salvation of all of God’s children now on the earth – and for all future generations. 

So, what are the truths that we learn from the First Vision and other events of the Restoration?

GOD HAS A MASTER PLAN FOR OUR EARTH AND THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST UPON THE EARTH:

God The Father had his eye on the Smith family for some 4,000 years before Joseph was born.  In the Book of Mormon, as Lehi gives a blessing to his son, Joseph, Lehi quotes a prophesy of Joseph the son of Isaac (the same that was sold into Egypt).  In this prophesy, the patriarch Joseph said that he who would restore all things would be called Joseph (after him, the patriarch) and that his name would be named after the name of his father (Joseph Smith, Sr.)  (Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 3:15)

As already noted, The Smith family was BROUGHT to New York to be near the buried plates and future events already planned by The Father in his eternal plan.

God delegates to Christ the administration of this earth but is there to introduce and support him

God and Christ knew the name of Joseph as a son of God

God can indeed appear to man – though some may say that “No man has seen God”.   (He was able to see God because he was first prepared “of the Holy Ghost” to see them

We are commanded to hear Christ – we go to God through Christ and His church

Joseph was called of God to accomplish a specific work or mission

When God wants to implement a new plan, He works with someone young and teachable

Joseph was told that he would be the instrument through which the true church of Jesus Christ would once again be restored to the earth

When God wants to communicate with us or with our church leaders, he does it through Jesus Christ

There is now one true church of Jesus Christ upon the earth

THROUGH THE VISTATION TO JOSEPH, WE LEARN OF THE TRUE NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD AND CHRIST:

God is real!

God and Christ have physical bodies

God and Christ spoke to Joseph with their mouths and he heard with his ears and saw with his eyes.  God has ears to hear our prayers, eyes to see our actions, a mouth to speak to us, and a heart to feel compassion and love

Joseph saw a light and heard a voice.   God and Christ appear in pillars of light.  God and Christ have light brighter than the “noon-day sun”

Light dispels darkness.  God and Christ come in great glory “The Glory of the Lord”

God the Father is the literal father of Jesus Christ

God and Christ are separate beings  (an important truth not known to most of the world)

God is a personal being and all men and women are made in his physical image

God and Christ exactly resembled each other

When God the Father comes to earth (on very rare occasions) he comes to introduce His Beloved Son

Joseph Smith testified that God does live and that Jesus Christ also lives

Jesus is a resurrected being (as is The Father).  He rose from the dead and lives today.  (And because of His resurrection, we too may all be resurrected).

The Holy Ghost is separate from God and Christ.

From the First Vision, we do indeed, learn much of God the Father and Jesus Christ.  And in that experience, we also learn much about Satan, the father of lies.  We learn that

WE ALSO LEARN MUCH THE POWER OF SATAN:

Satan is real and powerful.

Satan tries to thwart the work of God’s plan.  He inspires opposition

Satan also knows us by name and knows who we are as sons of God and our specific roles for building the Kingdom of God.  Satan knew Joseph personally and knew of his upcoming mission.

Satan will motivate evil-disposed and designing persons to thwart the rise and progress of the church

Satan knew God’s eternal plan (including God’s plan for Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel) and wanted to keep it from happening.

THROUGH JOSEPH AND THE FIRST VISION, WE ALSO LARN MUCH ABOUT THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING PERSONAL REVELATION:

Joseph’s “mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness, with deep and poignant feelings” (JSH-Verse 8) which caused him to reflect seriously upon religion, and which church was right and who was wrong

Confusion led Joseph to dig deeper into the scriptures for answers (JSH-Verse 11)

Joseph read with his mind and “felt” the scriptures with his heart.  The scriptures he read “seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart.”  (JSH-Verse 12)

Joseph reflected upon verses of scripture again and again.  He wanted to receive wisdom from God.  (JSH-Verse 12)

When a scripture is not understood, one needs to go to God – the ultimate source of all truth – for additional light and knowledge.

The heavens are yet open in our day – not closed as in the dark ages of the past.  There is revelation and there are visions in our day.

To receive revelation we need to retire to quiet places where we can be alone to pray.

Revelation and answers from God often come in the early morning hours when our mind is clear and alert

Personal scripture study can bring revelation

If we ask of God, we can know that we can receive answers

The Holy Ghost can bring understanding to the scriptures

We can all pray to know of our own standing before God.

We can prepare for prayer by kneeling and humbling ourselves – getting in the right location where we can be alone.

God and Christ promised Joseph further light and knowledge – additional revelation and that can also be our blessing.

We must be true to revelation and inspiration we receive

To receive revelation, we must be specific in our requests and what we seek

Having received revelation from God, we must act and testify to others

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT KEY IN THE PROCESS OF REVELATION

After receiving revelation, we need to acknowledge God and the Holy Ghost as the source of the revelation and inspiration and be grateful for the inspiration and revelation received.

MY OWN TESTIMONY AND WITNESS:

Having read, studied,  pondered and prayed about Joseph Smith, his “First Vision” and subsequent visits from angelic messengers, I (Kevin Hunt) have felt the witness of the Holy Ghost relative to Joseph and the coming forth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day.  I know that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, did in reality come to earth and that they spoke as live and resurrected beings to Joseph Smith – giving him much guidance and instruction for our day.  I have come to know that Joseph was indeed called of God and that the Church was restored once again to the earth through him.  I know that Joseph became and was a prophet of God.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is indeed the Lord’s only true church here upon the earth.  I know that The Book of Mormon is true and contains the fulness of the Lord’s Everlasting Gospel.  I am and will forever be grateful for this knowledge and for the truths restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith and because of his visit from God and Christ. 

We sing with gusto, “Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!”  We could also sing, “Praise to Jehovah who communed with His Prophet.”

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen