I suggest that Joseph realized Christ in himself in his First Vision, and I think this can be seen in many details in his accounts.
Category: history
The Mystical and Archetypal Nature of a “Heavenly Book” and Joseph Smith’s “Gold Plates”
A tradition of a "heavenly book" runs through many traditions, including Mormonism with its "gold plates." What spiritual reality might these traditions be pointing to?
Infographic—The Perennial Cycle of Religions: Mysticism to Politics v1.0
I created a graphic to better illustrate the evolution (or devolution) from mysticism to religion to politics, and back again, as originally modeled by David Steindl-Rast.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision in the Book of Mormon: The Earliest Accounts?
The earliest known account of First Vision may not be the one in 1832, but many esoteric accounts in April-June 1829, in the Book of Mormon text itself.
Joseph Losing the “Plates” and “Interpreters” was Mystical not Literal
The "Urim & Thummim" were perhaps Joseph's own eyes, which in a mystical state of consciousness could "see" the visionary "plates." He lost these "gifts" for a time.
The First Vision of Moroni
Was the vision of Moroni unique, or had Joseph experienced something similar before?
Early Secondhand Details about Joseph Smith’s First Vision in 1830-1833?
A late thirdhand account of the First Vision from John Alger in 1893 may be corroborated by some early secondhand (esoteric) references in some songs and hymns recorded in 1833, which may also have connections to a recorded revelation in 1830.
The Perennial Cycle from Mysticism to Religion to Politics
What is the relationship between mysticism and religion? It is perhaps a cycle, which begins in mysticism and ends in fundamentalist dogmatic religion, and politics, where it begins again.
Was Joseph Smith intentionally deceitful or lying about the “Gold Plates”? A Mystical View
If Joseph made the plates he had in his possession, then didn't he lie in saying otherwise? Maybe there is more to it, which ties into the mystical nature of his visions.
Is There Any Way that the Book of Mormon is “Historical”? A Mystical & Perennialist Perspective
Yes, actually, I think there is a Way. But it's perhaps not the Way that most people think, desire, or hope, but I suggest it is Divine.