Author: Richard A. Durrant

“And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. ” (Alma 7:10) An early Read more

I heard the voice of the Angel just as stated in said Book, and the engravings on the plates were shown to us, and we were commanded to bear record of them; and if they are not true, then there is no truth, and if there is no truth there is no God; If there Read more

A brief account from the Diary of Levi Richard’s following a church meeting at which Joseph Smith had spoken. ”Pres. J. Smith bore testimony to the same— saying that when he was a youth he began to think about these things but could not find out which of all the sects were right— he went Read more

Originally written in German and does appear to rely on Pratt’s earlier account ”When he had reached his fifteenth year, he began to think seriously about the importance of preparing for a future [existence]; but it was very difficult for him to decide how he should go about such an important undertaking. He recognized clearly Read more

”When somewhere about fourteen or fifteen years old, he began seriously to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence:but how, or in what way, to prepare himself, was a question, as yet, undetermined in his own mind: he perceived that it was a question of infinite importance, and that Read more

Written as part of what is ofren referred to as the Wentworth letter, this account is the last known firsthand account of Joseph’s first vision. While this account does not include much detail, unlike the other firsthand accounts, it mentions that the two personages, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, “exactly resembled each other in features, Read more

The 1838 account is the best known retelling of the first vision, first published in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons, it is included today in the Pearl of Great Price as part of Joseph Smith History. Written as part of a personal history of Joseph and intended for a wide audience, it is the most Read more

In November 1835 Joseph Smith shared an account of his first vision with an unnamed visitor in his home, this account was recorded in a journal in the handwriting of Warren Parish. While brief, this account includes the unique details including being filled with unspeakable joy as the light rested upon him, the appearance of Read more

The earliest known written account of Joseph’s first vision was recorded in 1832. Two years after the formation of the church. It is the most personal and the only account with portions written in Joseph’s own handwriting. It is very likely that this is the very first time in which Joseph would attempt to commit Read more

During Joseph Smith’s lifetime he often related the story of his first encounter with Heavenly beings, emphasizing different details each time. Presently, there are four known written primary accounts, either dictated or written by the prophet himself. Additionally, others who heard him relate his experiences recorded versions of his story with varying detail. Some of Read more