In this episode, I discuss the Joseph Smith's First Vision, its theological implications, its complicated history in Mormon thought, and the differences between the four accounts. Thank you for listening, leave me questions, comments, or feedback at vowarning@gmailcom

References:
Links to the 4 accounts found at https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/articles/primary-accounts-of-first-vision

Summary of 1837-1838 found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cowdery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Harris_(Latter_Day_Saints)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtland_Safety_Society
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Smith_(Latter_Day_Saints)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history

Quote from Heber C. Kimball: Journal of Discourses, vol.6, p.29

Fawn Brodie, No Man Knows My History, New York, 1957, pp.24-25

Gordon B. Hinckley, October Conference, 2002, The Marvelous Foundations of our Faith

Joseph F. Smith's influence on First Vision: Bitton, Davis (1994), Historical Dictionary of Mormonism

First Vision replaces polygamy: Flake, Kathleen (2004), The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle
Quoted from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Vision

LaMar Peterson's story of the 1832 account: https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Question:_Did_Joseph_Fielding_Smith_remove_the_1832_account_of_Joseph_Smith%27s_First_Vision_from_its_original_letterbook_and_hide_it_in_his_safe%3F

No knowledge of earlier accounts until 1965: https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Joseph_Smith%27s_First_Vision/Church_Hides_Accounts_(1984-1989)

A handy comparison of the visions can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Vision

Grant Palmer, Joseph Smith's Changing View of God
https://youtu.be/3KpYoMGCqpE
Note: [Grant Palmer is a staunch anti-Mormon. I don’t necessarily agree with his conclusions, but his evidence is well-founded. One exception in this video is his claim that there was no revival in 1820. Michael Quinn and others have shown clearly that there were revivals in Palmyra from 1818-1820. The other is that some conjecture is required in order to conclude that the 1838 First Vision account includes a calling to prophethood; it’s more implied. Besides those two issues, Grant’s evidence is solid, and comes largely from LDS sources.]

First Vision was common, not unique: Richard Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, p. 41

Ann Lee: https://www.learnreligions.com/ann-lee-4694324

Joseph joins Methodist church: Newell & Avery, Mormon Enigma, p. 35

1830 edition of the Book of Mormon: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/book-of-mormon-1830/31

Joseph on plurality of Gods: Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370