There is another, additional little known fact about the First Vision. The Lord touched the eyes of the prophet. See "Remembering Joseph" by Mark McConkie page 312
OvercomerNovember 18, 2019
When others criticize the fact that there are several versions of the first vision, I think of three things
#1) No one ever recalls the same details the exact same way when they retell an important life event, but the basic story does not change.
#2) When sharing sacred experiences you have to know your audience and what they’re ready to receive. Some details didn’t come out at first, and others were left out of final draft found in Doctrine & Covenants.
#3) Most people have never written a song or a book. When you are a writer, particularly a songwriter where co-writing often exists, the one thing you do once you have the basic inspiration for your song or story (especially when song or story is based on a real life experience) is write, write and rewrite so that when the song or story is finally published or ready to send to a singer to record, it’s giving the most details in the most readable or listener friendly version possible for intended audience.
You don’t write a song, dealing with a break up, the same for a pop or hip hop audience listener base the way you would for country listeners. Taylor Swift is a perfect example of this as her pop versions of her breakups, while similar themes to her country songs, are stylistically different in details given, the way it’s sung and the arrangement stylings.
I can totally anticipate that as Joseph was working on the best version of his vision to present to the world, his scribe (acting likely as a pseudo co-writer) would no doubt have had some influence on word choice and even things to consider keeping in or out of the final version.
This continues with the account of the First Vision today in terms of screen writing. The church, under direction of the First Presidency, left out the important detail that Joseph was first spiritually assaulted by Satanic forces before being rescued by the light and Love of God the Father and Jesus Christ in the last film the church made of Joseph’s First Vision.
Many of us know what that kind of experience is about, but apparently for this newer generation is was kept out. I personally found that unfortunate, but at the same time Satan doesn’t get screen time and it’s a slap in his face. However reading the experience with the dark side, that Joseph had, gives me hope and faith the Lord will rescue me when I’m in spiritual or temporal darkness...and he’s done that for me many times.
My testimony of the Prophet Joseph, and seeing so many of his prophetic revelations continue to come to pass, two hundred years later, is a powerful witness to the love, dedication and personal relationship Joseph has for our Savior Jesus.
Bambi KochNovember 18, 2019
Thank you for this interesting and well researched article. I never knew about Joseph Smith Sr.' s vision of the Tree of Life. I hope to see more articles on the history of Joseph Smith as 2020 approaches.
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Owen H RichardsonNovember 19, 2019
There is another, additional little known fact about the First Vision. The Lord touched the eyes of the prophet. See "Remembering Joseph" by Mark McConkie page 312
OvercomerNovember 18, 2019
When others criticize the fact that there are several versions of the first vision, I think of three things #1) No one ever recalls the same details the exact same way when they retell an important life event, but the basic story does not change. #2) When sharing sacred experiences you have to know your audience and what they’re ready to receive. Some details didn’t come out at first, and others were left out of final draft found in Doctrine & Covenants. #3) Most people have never written a song or a book. When you are a writer, particularly a songwriter where co-writing often exists, the one thing you do once you have the basic inspiration for your song or story (especially when song or story is based on a real life experience) is write, write and rewrite so that when the song or story is finally published or ready to send to a singer to record, it’s giving the most details in the most readable or listener friendly version possible for intended audience. You don’t write a song, dealing with a break up, the same for a pop or hip hop audience listener base the way you would for country listeners. Taylor Swift is a perfect example of this as her pop versions of her breakups, while similar themes to her country songs, are stylistically different in details given, the way it’s sung and the arrangement stylings. I can totally anticipate that as Joseph was working on the best version of his vision to present to the world, his scribe (acting likely as a pseudo co-writer) would no doubt have had some influence on word choice and even things to consider keeping in or out of the final version. This continues with the account of the First Vision today in terms of screen writing. The church, under direction of the First Presidency, left out the important detail that Joseph was first spiritually assaulted by Satanic forces before being rescued by the light and Love of God the Father and Jesus Christ in the last film the church made of Joseph’s First Vision. Many of us know what that kind of experience is about, but apparently for this newer generation is was kept out. I personally found that unfortunate, but at the same time Satan doesn’t get screen time and it’s a slap in his face. However reading the experience with the dark side, that Joseph had, gives me hope and faith the Lord will rescue me when I’m in spiritual or temporal darkness...and he’s done that for me many times. My testimony of the Prophet Joseph, and seeing so many of his prophetic revelations continue to come to pass, two hundred years later, is a powerful witness to the love, dedication and personal relationship Joseph has for our Savior Jesus.
Bambi KochNovember 18, 2019
Thank you for this interesting and well researched article. I never knew about Joseph Smith Sr.' s vision of the Tree of Life. I hope to see more articles on the history of Joseph Smith as 2020 approaches.
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