Differences in First Vision accounts

FAIR Answers—back to home page

V

Articles about Joseph Smith's First Vision

Accounts	Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision Multiple accounts of the First Vision Differences in First Vision accounts
Historical context	Events leading to the First Vision Events after the First Vision
Doctrinal impact	The First Vision and doctrine Seldom taught before 1877?

First video published by the Church History Department.

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Source(s) of the criticism

Critical sources

Richard Abanes, Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism (Harvest House Publishers: 2005). 35, 339-340 n.76. ( Index of claims ) Jerald and Sandra Tanner, The Changing World of Mormonism (Moody Press, 1979), 156–59.( Index of claims ) Wikipedia article "First Vision"–Primary editors: COgden and John Foxe, with additional contributions by multiple editors. ( FAIR's Analysis of this Wikipedia article)

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

Differences in First Vision accounts

Jump to Subtopic:

• Question: What differences are there between Joseph Smith's 1832 First Vision account and later accounts?
• Question: Why does Joseph Smith's 9 November 1835 account of the First Vision mention "many angels?"
• Question: By what name did Joseph Smith refer to the First Vision?
• Question: What is the difference between Joseph Smith's first vision and other reported visions of God at the time?
• Different age provided in 1832 account?
• Question: How do the accounts of Paul's vision compare to the accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision?
• Question: Do Greek scholars solve the discrepancies in Paul's vision accounts?

⍗

Learn more about multiple accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision

Wiki links	Multiple accounts of the First Vision Differences in First Vision accounts Quotes and primary sources
Online	Roger Nicholson, "The Cowdery Conundrum: Oliver's Aborted Attempt to Describe Joseph Smith's First Vision in 1834 and 1835," Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 8/4 (6 December 2013). [27–44] link Robert A. Rees, "Looking Deeper into Joseph Smith's First Vision: Imagery, Cognitive Neuroscience, and the Construction of Memory," Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 25/3 (21 April 2017). [67–80] link} John A. Tvedtnes, "Variants in the Stories of the First Vision of Joseph Smith and the Apostle Paul," Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 2/5 (2 November 2012). [73–86] link
Video	"Multiple accounts of the First Vision," BH Roberts Foundation print-link.
Navigators	Table of contents Abuse Bible Book of Abraham Book of Mormon CES Letter Church history Church finances Doctrine and Covenants First Vision Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint temples Mountain Meadows Massacre Plural marriage Prophets and leaders Scripture Brigham Young First Vision

Notes