No Concern is Too Small - Learning from the different versions of the First Vision story

In 1820, fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith entered into a grove of trees behind his house to say what became one of the most important prayers in the history of the world. The result of this prayer was his call to become the prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to usher in the "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10), coming directly from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Since this event, Joseph has on at least four occasions recounted his experience. The 1832 version, in particular, really shows me that even while God might have huge plans for us in the future, no present concern of ours is too small.

I hope that this will help you realize that the different accounts of this marvelous event are truly an asset in our understanding of the gospel! (For more about the four accounts, see this article.)

As you might know, Joseph was living in Palmyra, New York, which was at the time was experiencing "an unusual excitement on the subject of religion" (Joseph Smith - History 1:5 aka the 1838 account). Joseph was getting very nervous as he saw so many different religions contending for converts, and really feared for his own soul's salvation. In Our Search for Happiness, M. Russell Ballard presents an imaginary discussion with Joseph and his family around the dinner table:

"Jesus was baptized," Joseph may have reasoned, "so that means I need to be baptized, too. Mother's minister has invited me to be baptized at his church. But Father's minister says that I won't go to heaven if I'm baptized as a Presbyterians. Then the Baptist minister tells me that he's the only one in town who knows anything about baptism. And now I don't know what to do. Can we just let them all take turns baptizing me? Or do I have to pick one of them? And if I do, which one should I pick?

While that may not be exactly how it happened, the depth and sincerity of young Joseph Smith's questions were real.

See, as Joseph entered into the grove that Spring morning of 1820, he had no intention restoring a church. He wasn't planning on being visited by deity. He simply was

The Dawning of a Brighter Day - Gordon B. Hinckley

(For the video version, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3yxkP8hZW8)

Now, my brothers and sisters, President Packer has spoken to you as a grandfather. I should like to pick up a thread from the tapestry he has woven. I too am now an old man, older even than he, if you can imagine that. I have been around for a long time, I have traveled far, and I have seen much of this world. In hours of quiet reflection, I wonder why there is so much of trouble and suffering almost everywhere. Our times are fraught with peril. We hear frequently quoted the words of Paul to Timothy: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1). He then goes on to describe the conditions that will prevail. I think it is plainly evident that these latter days are indeed perilous times that fit the conditions that Paul described (see 2 Tim. 3:2–7).

But peril is not a new condition for the human family. Revelation tells us that “there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

“And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Rev. 12:7–9).

What a perilous time that must have been. The Almighty Himself was pitted against the son of the morning. We were there while that was going on. That must have been a desperately difficult struggle, with a grand, triumphal victory.

Concerning those desperate times, the Lord spoke to Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? …

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4, 7).

Why were we then happy? I think it was because good had triumphed over evil and the whole human family was on the Lord’s side. We turned our backs on the adversary and aligned ourselves with the forces of God, and those forces were victorious.

But having made that decision, why should we have to make it again and again after our birth into mortality?

I cannot understand why so many have betrayed in life the decision they once made when the great war occurred in heaven.

But it is evident that the contest between good and evil, which began with that war, has never ended. It has gone on, and on, and on to the present.

I think our Father must weep because so many of His children through the ages have

I was born to be a King

I have always loved this story. Think about how much it applies to us today, sons and daughters of the King of Kings.

"Many years ago I heard the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.

They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, 'I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king.'"

 

Read more at: https://www.lds.org/new-era/1975/11/the-kings-son?lang=eng

What the Restoration Means For Me

Last week, I posted this video:

and asked for your response as far as what the Restoration means to you. Haha... no one answered. But I still will!

I think that the story of the First Vision is incredible; not just because of the fruits of that miracle (while those are indeed crucial), but because of the smaller lessons to be learned from Joseph Smith's experience.

My absolute favorite part of the story, though, is found here:

"One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'"

There are a million things I could get out of this verse in Joseph Smith History, but what stands out to me the most is that Heavenly Father, the God of the universe and the Father of all spirits, called Joseph by name. Think of that!

A small-town, 14-year-old farmboy is known by God! His prayer was answered. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). All souls. We are all

A look at the numbers!