“Owing to the Many Reports”

In 1832, Joseph Smith first recorded an encounter with God, now commonly referred to as his “First Vision.” In 1838, he recorded a more detailed account. Other, secondhand recitals exist as well. In recent years, critics have pointed to apparent discrepancies in the narratives. For example, angels appear in some but not others. Smith’s first version appears to reference one divine figure; the 1838 version describes two. His personal spiritual standing is the focus of the 1832 version, and the state of the Christian world the focus of the second. This chapter elucidates the varying contexts for the production of the different narratives, seeks to understand the conditions of their creation, and identifies features common and consistent to all of them.