joe

According to this website
http://www.i4m.com/think/history/first_vision.htm

is in the handwriting of James Mulholland, who was serving as Joseph
Smith's secretary.

If the first vision was written by someone else, does that mean it is
not doctrinal? It would seem that that would put them in the same
shady category as the Journal of Discourses, and Times and Seasons.

iosepa hawaii loa

Joseph Smith Jr was an uneducated farm boy. He often made use of
secretaries. He dictated the Book of Mormon.

The version of the First Vision as contained in the Pearl of Great Price
is the fourth variation of the story. Each time he shared the experience,
Joseph modified it to meet his audience. Also, Joseph altered his
tellings as his personal understanding increased.


Does it matter if the prophet himself records the vision or merely
dictates it? As long as all alterations were approved by the prophet, who
cares who wrote it?

"The Lectures on Faith" is another interesting book. We don't know the
author, but it is known that Joseph followed these lectures in the School
of the Prophets. It hasn't been canonized, but is still a reliable source.

Aloha,
Iosepa
--
:Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.
:The life (sovereignty) of the land is perpetuated in (by) righteousness.

ut

On Monday 20 October 2003 12:37, Joe <joe@nomail.com> typed:

I haven't checked recently but I recall there being at least five versions
and possibly nine. The first vision was not a big deal in the early
conversions to the church. It didn't become prominent until much later.

--

Urim Thummim

And in the beginning there was nothing.
And God said, Let there be light.
And there was still nothing but now you could see it!
--Anon