The year 2020 marks 200 years since the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that heralded the dispensation of the Fullness of Times.
During last General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson invited the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prepare for the April conference that will commemorate the bicentennial of the First Vision. This article includes links to resources that may be helpful as you prepare by learning more about the First Vision.
President Nelson counseled us to “immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.” And he gave us this promise: “As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable.”
Resources About the First Vision
(links taken from an article on lds365.com)
- Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.
- Come, Follow Me—Book of Mormon manual for 2020
- Book of Mormon Video Library (Learn more about this new video series.)
- “First Vision” and “First Vision Accounts” in Gospel Topics
- “Ask of God,” (6:35) a stunning portrayal of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. This film draws from all nine existing accounts recorded during Joseph Smith’s lifetime.
- “The First Vision,” Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chapter 1
- Saints, Volume 1; chapter 2, a narration of the first vision in the first volume of Saints.
“The greatest event and the most important accomplishment in the course of all human history is the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and the eternal triumph that provided over physical and spiritual death for everyone who has lived, now lives, or ever will live upon the earth.
“The greatest event since that divine sacrifice and the next greatest accomplishment in making that Atonement fully efficacious in the great plan of salvation was the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy prophet Joseph Smith in the New York springtime of 1820. Had we never had what we have come to call “the Restoration,” the great plan of salvation would have been forever thwarted, and the full blessings of the Atonement would not have reached most of God’s children, past, present, and future.” (“Testify of the Restoration,” Jeffrey R. Holland)
Videos
- “Joseph Smith’s First Vision” (4:15)
- “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration,” full-length movie about the life of Joseph Smith
- “The Restoration” (19:12) shortened version of the full-length movie “Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration,” the first 17 minutes is the First Vision
- Video: “Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Appeared to Joseph Smith (5:45),” Elder D. Todd Christofferson testifies that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith
Other Resources
- Face to Face event with President Eyring and Elder Holland from the Smith farm, March 2017
- “The Fruits of the First Vision,” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, general conference, “I count Joseph Smith among those whose testimony of Christ helped me to develop my own testimony of the Savior.”
- “Restoration of the Priesthood,” “Joseph Smith,” in Gospel Topics
- Saints topic on Joseph Smith
- Joseph Smith video gallery in Prophets of the Restoration
- JosephSmith.net website
- Interactive Map of Smith family farm and Sacred Grove
Resources for Youth
- “The First Vision: Doctrinal Mastery,” infographic with a basic outline of events and doctrine of the First Vision
- “James 1:5-6,” Line Upon Line section of the New Era, analysis of the verses that led Joseph Smith to pray in the Sacred Grove
- “Blessings of the Restoration,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, how Joseph Smith can help us develop our own testimonies of Christ, excerpt from his talk “The Fruits of the First Vision” from general conference April 2005
Resources for Children
- “How Can You Know What’s True,” President Russell M. Nelson, actions a child can take to know truth as Joseph did in First Vision
- “Praying to Our Father,” President Henry B. Eyring, what we can learn about prayer from the example of Joseph Smith
- “The First Vision,” adaptation of Joseph Smith-History tells the story of the First Vision in a very simplified way
- Joseph Smith Finger Scenes
- The First Vision Shoe-box Panorama
- “First Vision” list of stories, activities, and media
- The First Vision illustrated story for children
- Children’s coloring pages: First Vision, Joseph Smith
Home Evening Ideas
- “The Miraculous Mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Dallin H. Oaks, bulleted list of what the restoration taught us
- “This Is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” text from sharing time and activity ideas
- “Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” text from sharing time and activity ideas
- “Highlights in the Prophet’s Life,” time line of events in Joseph’s life
- “The Magnificent Vision Near Palmyra,” James E. Faust, details 8 things we learn from the First Vision
- Simple explanation of the First Vision for small children
Images
- Media Library: Joseph Smith, Sacred Grove, Praying in the Grove, by John Scott, https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/joseph-smith-first-vision-scott-1910061?lang=eng
- Museum Online Exhibit: “Artistic Interpretations of the First Vision”
- “The Voice of the Lord,” Neil L. Andersen, this general conference talk references artwork “First Vision from Afar”
- “The Sacred Grove,” black-and-white landscape view, color portrait view
- “The First Vision: Searching for the Truth“
April 1980: 150 Years of the Restored Gospel (1830)
I went back in history 40 years, and I found some interesting talks about the 150th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Ten years after the First Vision, the Church was finally officially restored on the earth. The First Vision was the necessary first step for the unfolding of the Restoration.
As President Russell M. Nelson said:
“We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” said the prophet. “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.”
In 1980 I wasn’t yet a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I didn’t even know that such church existed on the earth, but I was beginning to look for some answers to my questions about this life and the life after. I would finally find those answer 5 years later, in 1985, thanks to two missionaries.
This Final Glorious Gospel Dispensation By Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve
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