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First Vision seldom mentioned in Church publications before 1877
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Criticism
Critics charge, “Before the death of Brigham Young in 1877 the first vision was seldom mentioned in Mormon publications.”
Source(s) of the criticism
- Jerald Tanner and Sandra Tanner, The Case Against Mormonism (Salt Lake City: Modern Microfilm Co., 1967), 1:120.
Response
This charge has been repeated by succeeding generations of anti-Mormons in their written communications, during lectures, and on the printed page. But the continual parroting of a particular argument does not somehow magically make it true. A survey of the historical record demonstrates beyond any doubt that this claim is, in fact, not accurate. And it is time for critics of the Church to acknowledge the indisputable facts.
President Brigham Young died on 29 August 1877. It can be demonstrated through the construction of a timeline (which can be seen by clicking on the link inside the red box at the top of this page) that before President Young passed away the First Vision was mentioned in LDS publications on more than 70 occasions. And a look at the details of those retellings of the story is instructive:
- The story was
- The story was told in the United States, England, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Denmark, Holland, South Africa, India, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, and France.
- The story was rehearsed in the English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Welsh, and French languages.
The Prophet told the story in print; several apostles published various accounts; even children were being taught the details of what happened.
Since this charge is not accurate, it cannot be used to support the anti-Mormon claim that confusion over the exact nature of the First Vision existed during President Young's administration and the 'official' version of events did not get standardized until late in the nineteenth century.
During the lifetimes of Brigham Young the First Vision story became widely known by the Latter-day Saints through their publications.
Conclusion
Endnotes
None