The first vision of Joseph Smith marked the first step of the restoration of the gospel. It was a long-awaited event prophesied from ancient times (Acts 3:19–21). Joseph Smith, after being confused about which church to join read James 1:5 which states:
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 him.
Joseph Took these words to heart and set aside time to go to a wooded area and pray to know what church to join. During that time God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. In his own words Joseph said:
17 …When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
These passages give us some of the most profound eternal truths. Let’s examine these.
- Heavenly Father knows each of us individually and personally, by name. When Heavenly Father addressed Joseph Smith during that sacred encounter in the grove, He called him by name, saying, “Joseph.” This simple act carried profound meaning, showing that He knew Joseph Smith intimately. He was aware of Joseph’s identity, his potential, and the divine purpose he was to fulfill. This same principle applies to every single one of us. Our Heavenly Father knows us personally. He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, our dreams, and our struggles. He knows not only who we are today but also who we have the potential to become through faith and obedience. Despite our imperfections and shortcomings, He loves us perfectly and unconditionally. He sees beyond our present challenges to the divine potential within us, and His love is ever-present to guide, comfort, and strengthen us.
- We do everything in the name of the son. In the First Vision, God the Father introduced His Son, Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith, saying, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” After this profound introduction, Heavenly Father did not speak again during that sacred moment, as far as we know. This emphasizes a central and eternal truth: that the atonement of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our salvation and exaltation. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are invited to approach the Father in His name, rely on His grace, and follow His example in all that we do. In the name of the Son, we pray, serve, and strive to live righteously. Everything we do in this life that is of eternal value is tied to Jesus Christ, reflecting the significance of His role in God’s plan for us.
- The true nature of Jesus Christ and God the Father. In the First Vision, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ as two distinct beings. This was a direct contradiction to the traditional Christian concept of the Modalism as a single, indivisible entity. Instead, it revealed once again the reality that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate, glorified, and tangible beings, united in purpose but distinct in personage.
The First Vision of Joseph Smith stands as a pivotal moment in the history of the Restoration, providing profound insights into the nature of God, the Savior, and our divine relationship with them. It reminds us that Heavenly Father knows each of us personally, by name, and sees the divine potential within us, offering perfect and unconditional love to guide our journey. The vision also underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s plan, inviting us to follow Him, rely on His grace, and align our lives with His example.
Furthermore, it reaffirms the true nature of the Godhead as distinct, glorified beings—Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ united in purpose yet individual in personage. This eternal truth dispels confusion and establishes a foundation for understanding their relationship with us. As we reflect on the First Vision, may we be inspired to seek truth, strengthen our faith, and draw nearer to God, knowing that He hears and answers our prayers just as He did for Joseph Smith in that sacred grove.