Report on Joseph Smith's Vision and Church Context

This history, written in 1838, the eighth year since the organization of the Church, was prompted by reports designed to militate against its character. The account describes an experience where he saw two Personages, who instructed him he must join none of existing religious sects because they were all wrong.

What the evidence supports

In relation to the rise and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I wrote this history to disabuse the public mind regarding its character.
It is being presented now in 1838, the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.
A power seized me, and thick darkness gathered around me, causing me to feel as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
During this alarm, a pillar of light saw over my head, descending until it fell upon me.
I saw two Personages standing above me; one pointed to the other, stating, 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men.

Sources

Joseph Smith—History 1

Evidence

Joseph Smith wrote the history to correct public misconceptions about the character and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts , as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 1
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The history was written in 1838, which was the eighth year since the organization of the Church.
In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 2
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During his attempt to ask God for wisdom, Joseph Smith was seized by a power, and thick darkness gathered around him.
I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 15
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Joseph Smith witnessed a pillar of light descend over his head, which delivered him from the binding power.
just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun , which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 16
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In the vision, two Personages appeared, and one instructed him to hear the other who was identified as 'My Beloved Son'.
When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages , whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other— This is My Beloved Son . Hear Him!
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 17
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He was informed that he could not join any existing religious sect because they were all wrong.
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong ; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt ; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
Joseph Smith—History 1 · Paragraph 19
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Sources

Joseph Smith—History 1
Document
Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts , as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.
Open original source

Review status

Passed the automated source check on 10/21/2026 (model: deepseek/deepseek-v4.1-flash). This is an automated check, not a human approval.