Joseph Smith: The First Vision

Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith experienced a heavenly vision in the year of 1820 in his fourteenth year of life. It may be the most singular event to occur on the earth since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and through this the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth.

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith was searching for a church to join. There was a great religious revival in the region of New York in which he lived. He read a passage in the Bible that encouraged any lacking wisdom to ask of God. Joseph went to a secluded grove of trees to pray aloud and ask God which of the many churches were correct. When he began his prayer, an evil power possessed him and prevented his prayer. After a struggle against the dark presence, a light appeared over Joseph's head which he described as brighter than the sun. It descended until it was just above him. In it he saw two personages of glory. One of them spoke, saying "Joseph, this is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Joseph asked which of all the churches was correct and they told him to join none of them, for the true Church of Christ was not on the earth. There were many other things that they spoke of which Joseph never revealed.

After experiencing this incredible vision, young Joseph did not hide the fact that he did have a vision and that he was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph told others outside his family of this experience. As a result, there was much criticism, contempt and even hatred towards him. Joseph's mother Lucy recalled that after the First Vision, 'and from this time until the twenty-first of September, 1823, Joseph continued, as usual, to labor with his father, and nothing during this interval occurred of very great importance; though he suffered every kind of opposition and persecution from the different orders of religionists.'

On the twenty-first of September, Joseph Smith received another visitation, this time from the Angel Moroni and his work as a prophet of God began. Through him, the Lord accomplished a great deal. The Book of Mormon was brought forth, the restoring of the priesthood to the earth, the revealing of gospel truths, the organization of the true Church of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of the dead commenced in the Mormon temple.

Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was foreordained and saved for the very purpose of restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ. Though persecuted and finally martyred, Mormons believe that Joseph Smith has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3.)

Other interesting pages about Joseph Smith

BBC - Religion & Ethics - The Story of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wikiquote
Joseph Smith: Prophet, Revelator, Human; Interview with Richard Lyman