The story of Joseph Smith -- Part II-A (The First Vision)

(Note: text in red are the words of Christ)

Recalling his early training, Joseph stated "I was born . . . of goodly parents who spared no pains to instruct me in the Christian religion." But, like many other Christians, his parents recognized that some of the gospel principles taught by Jesus and His Apostles was absent from contemporary churches of their day. In Joseph's hometown of Palmyra, New York, several different denominations were attempting to win over converts. During this same time, Joseph's mother, two of his brothers, and his oldest sister had joined the Presbyterian church. Joseph, along with his dad and brother Alvin, held back and did not join a church at that time. This was due to the fact that Joseph, although young, had a deep concern about his own standing before God and about the confusion among the various denominations.

According to the Joseph Smith History (See: Chapter 1:5; 7-13; See also: Who are Mormons?) "There was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of the country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying 'Lo here!' and others, 'Lo there!'. Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist . . ."  He continued: "While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally; and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him' (See: James 1:5)

Explains Brother Smith: "Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teacher of religions of the different sects understood the same passages of Scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible." He added: "At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to 'ask of God," concluding that if He gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not uphold, I might venture."

To be continued . . .

I say these things in Jesus Christ name, Amen

The story of Joseph Smith -- Part I (Early years)

Joseph Smith, Jr.

"The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it. He revealed himself first to me when I was about fourteen years old, a mere boy . . . . I kneeled down, and prayed, saying, 'O Lord, what Church shall I join?' Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious Personage in the light, and then another personage, and the first personage said [of] the second, "Behold this is my beloved Son, hear him."

-- Joseph Smith, Jr.

Who was Joseph Smith, Jr.? He was a sixth-generation American, his ancestors having emigrated from England to America in the 1600s. They typified the characteristics often associated with early generations of Americans: 1) They believed in God's directive care over them; 2) They had a strong work ethic; and 3) They diligently served their families and their country.

His parents - Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith - married in 1796 in Tunbridge, Vermont. The Smith's were a hard-working and God-fearing couple who and began their life together under favorable financial conditions. Soon, however, the elder Smith lost his first farming homestead and the family suffered a number of financial reverses over subsequent years. .As a result, they were forced to move several times as their father attempted to make a living.

Joseph was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon Vermont and was the fifth of eleven children. He was named after his father. His brothers and sisters were: an unnamed son (who died shortly after birth), Alvin, Hyrum, Sophronia, Joseph, Samuel, Ephraim (who lived less than two weeks), William, Katharine, Don Carlos, and Lucy.

Evidence of Brother Joseph's extraordinary character emerged early in his life. While his family was living in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, typhoid fever (Wikipedia article - typhoid fever) attacked many in the community -- including all of the Smith children. While his siblings recovered without any complications, Joseph developed a serious, secondary infection in his left leg. Dr. Nathan Smith, in nearby Hanover, New Hampshire, agreed to perform a new surgical procedure in an effort to save Joseph's leg. Not wishing for his mother to witness his suffering, he asked his mother to leave the room prior to the start of the procedure. Relying only on his father's reassuring embrace, he endured as the surgeons first bored and then chipped into the affected bone in an attempt to save it. Despite having to walk with crutches for the next several years, the surgery was a success.

Besieged by repeated crop failures, in 1816, the Smith family moved from Norwich, Vermont to Palmyra, New York having to find a more prosperous situation. Explained Joseph: "Being in indigent circumstances, we were obliged to labor hard for the support of a large family . . .and as it required the exertions of all that were able to render any assistance for the support of the family, therefore we were deprived of the benefit of education. Suffice it to say, I was merely instructed in reading, writing, and the ground rules of arithmetic."

I say these things in Jesus name, Amen