(Note: text in red are the words of Christ.)
As I stated in Part A of this blog, Joseph searched the Holy Scriptures for an answer on which church he should join. His answer was found in the book of James (See: The Book of James). So, forthwith, he retired to the grove near his home. Said he: "So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful , clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty (1820). It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties, I had never yet made the attempt to pray vocally."
As I stated in Part A of this blog, Joseph searched the Holy Scriptures for an answer on which church he should join. His answer was found in the book of James (See: The Book of James). So, forthwith, he retired to the grove near his home. Said he: "So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful , clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty (1820). It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties, I had never yet made the attempt to pray vocally."
Joseph, after finding that he was alone, knelt down and began his prayer. Soon, thereafter, he was overcome by a power that came over him. Explains he: "I was seized upon by some power which overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak." At the same time he felt this great alarm, he saw a pillar of light directly over his head that was brighter than the sun. The light continued to descend gradually until it fell upon him.
According to the Joseph Smith History (See: Joseph Smith History) no sooner had it (the pillar of light) appeared than Joseph found himself delivered from the power which, moments earlier, had taken control of him. As the settled upon him, he saw two Personages standing above him. One of them spake on to him, calling him by name, and said "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Remembering his original purpose for coming to the grove, Joseph asked of the Personages which of all the sects was right and which he should join. He was answered that he should join none of them. Joseph explained: "the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt." Explained the Personage: "They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." Joseph said the Personage again forbade him to align himself with any of them.
I say these things in Jesus Christ name, Amen
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