When Did Joseph Smith First See His Vision?

The "First Vision" of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and the LDS Church, remains one of the most significant events in the history of Mormonism. This vision, which took place in the spring of 1820, became the seed from which the LDS Church would grow. But when exactly did this vision occur, and what were the circumstances surrounding it?

To understand the context of Joseph Smith's First Vision, we must delve into the religious and cultural climate of early 19th-century America. The Second Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept through the United States from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, had left many people, including young Joseph, seeking spiritual guidance and personal religious experiences.

The Late Night Prayer

Joseph Smith was just 14 years old when he experienced the First Vision. He was living in Palmyra, New York, and had been struggling with his religious beliefs. Like many during the Second Great Awakening, he wanted to know which church was true. He decided to turn to the scriptures for guidance. He opened the Bible and read James 1:5, which states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Inspired, Joseph decided to act on this advice. On a clear, moonlit night in the spring of 1820, he went out to a grove of trees not far from his home to pray and seek a vision.

September 21, 1820, as the Date of the First Vision

Joseph Smith himself did not record the date of his First Vision until many years later, in 1838 and again in 1842. In these accounts, he stated that he had the vision on "September 21, 1820." Historians and theologians have largely accepted this date, which is commemorated annually by many Latter Day Saint churches.

Smith's accounts of the vision also provide clues that it took place in the fall. For instance, in his 1842 account, he described seeing a "little Wordsman" in the vernacular of the countryside during harvest-time, which suggests a fall setting. Moreover, Smith's diary entries around that time period suggest that he was living a typical farming life, which would have been disrupted by a mid-spring vision.

The Experiences of Joseph Smith in the Years Following the Vision

The impact of the First Vision on Joseph Smith was profound. He reported seeing two heavenly beings, who told him that all the existing churches were corrupt and that he should join none of them. Instead, they promised that a future restoration of the original Christian church would be established in the latter days.

After this experience, Joseph Smith began to see himself as a prophet, a chosen instrument of God. This vision marked the beginning of his public ministry, eventually leading to the organization of the Church of Christ in 1830, which would later become the LDS Church.

The Later Accounts of the First Vision

While Joseph Smith initially recorded his First Vision in a brief account in 1832, he provided more detailed descriptions in two later accounts, in 1838 and 1842. These accounts differ in some details, which have led scholars and historians to explore the evolution of Smith's retelling of the vision over time.

However, despite these variations, the essential elements of the vision remain consistent across all accounts. Smith's testimony of the First Vision continues to be a cornerstone of Latter Day Saint faith, with many members believing that God still speaks to His prophet definitive guides.

Understanding the First Vision in its historical and religious context provides valuable insights into the foundation of the LDS Church and the spiritual journey of its founder. It also underscores the enduring power of personal religious experiences in shaping one's faith and life purposes.