Review of Multiple First Vision Accounts

Several accounts of the First Vision were recorded by Joseph and others during the Prophet’s lifetime. Joseph published two accounts of the First Vision. Major differences exist in the earliest account, which was written in 1832; for example, one of Joseph’s scribes inserted the phrase “in the 16th year of my age.”

What the evidence supports

Joseph and others recorded several accounts of the First Vision during the Prophet’s lifetime.
Joseph published two accounts of the First Vision.
The major differences in Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts are found in the earliest, which was written in 1832.

Sources

First Vision Accounts

Evidence

Joseph and others recorded several accounts of the First Vision during the Prophet’s lifetime.
Joseph and others recorded several accounts of the First Vision during the Prophet’s lifetime.
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'Overview'
Open original source
Joseph published two accounts of the First Vision.
Joseph published two accounts of the First Vision.
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'Overview'
Open original source
The major differences in Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts are found in the earliest, which was written in 1832.
The major differences in Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts are found in the earliest, which was written in 1832.
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'The major differences'
Open original source
In the 1832 account, one of Joseph’s scribes inserted the phrase “in the 16th year of my age.”
In the 1832 account, one of Joseph’s scribes inserted the phrase “in the 16th year of my age.”
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'The major differences'
Open original source
In the earliest account, Joseph prayed seeking forgiveness for his sins.
In the earliest account, Joseph prayed seeking forgiveness for his sins.
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'The major differences'
Open original source
The first account states, “The Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me.”
The first account states, “The Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me.”
First Vision Accounts · src-8a5710b01654, section: 'The major differences'
Open original source

Sources

First Vision Accounts
Document
Joseph and others recorded several accounts of the First Vision during the Prophet’s lifetime.
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.