I've now posted eighteen "First Vision" accounts here on ThyMindOMan.com. There are many more coming. I thought I'd take a moment to share some comments about them as a whole.
Tag: Joseph Smith
Can We Have A "First Vision” Experience?
Many in the LDS Church may believe it was unique to Joseph Smith, but is it?
God's Mystical Greeting in Joseph Smith's First Vision
There is a curious detail in Joseph Smith's earliest accounts of his First Vision that may teach us more about this encounter with Deity, and the differences between the accounts. It is when God greets Joseph.
The Divine Light of a Lowly Farmer Boy
Ann invited me to write a guest post for her blog, Enlightenment is for Everyone: Exploring Potential From Every Angle. I did so, writing of Joseph Smith's First Vision experience from a mystical awakening universal divine grace perspective, using the various firsthand and secondhand accounts. My blog post is titled "The Divine Light of a Lowly Farmer Boy." You may read it on Ann's blog.
Norris Stearns "First Vision" Account
This is an account written by Norris Stearns of Greenfield, Massachusetts, published in 1815, five years before Joseph Smith's First Vision experience, in a pamphlet titled The Religious Experience Of Norris Stearns Written by Divine Command. The 35 page pamphlet can be read in its entirety online at this link. Here is an excerpt of part of his vision.
A Key for the “Natural Man”
Today I feel I had my eyes opened to the meaning of scripture. It was like flipping the switch on a light. I suddenly understood and the meaning was laid open to my view. I'd like to share with you what I think is a key to understanding the scriptures having to do with the "natural man."