Ask of God: Joseph Smith’s First Vision 

Thanks for sharing your insight and perspective.

justalittlebitmo: I hadn’t, either, but it makes sense, because the adversary has the power to “put thoughts” and to “tempt”. Despite being faced with the surprise of this adversary, Joseph did choose God without hesitation, and enlisted His help. Such a great lesson. Sometimes it is easy to assume that those thoughts are our own, causing us to even beat ourselves up. But Joseph knew that they were not his own. We can use this lesson to remember that this applies to us, too.

Thank you for your insight. So true it is.

I also never heard this version but related to it. I’ve had “Sleep Paralysis” before and I’ve felt that darkness Joseph feels where it feels like my soul is in danger and my body is paralyzed. During this darkness and feeling the adversary’s presence, I would have inappropriate sexual images flash into my head of things I’ve never seen or thought of and knew it was satan influencing and hijacking my thoughts. Ive heard voices and a mad voice shouting “Mine Mine Mine” I would try to yell “God” or “Jesus” but I couldn’t and when I thought of these names I would only feel more anger and paralysis. I had these experiences severely almost every day one summer as I was seeking God. It was so draining and terrifying. I felt that God had abandoned me. In September 2016 missionaries approached me in the parking lot of my student apartment complex. With much hesitation but trust in God I prayed with a sincere heart and real intent to know if the Book of Mormon was true. As I read the lines of Moroni 10 I felt this strong intense feeling of love and peace which brought me to tears. It felt like a drop of heaven. As I continued to read, it was exposed in my mind that it was true. I couldn’t deny this revelation I had. I knew nothing about this church but knew that it was all true. I was baptized October 2016 and Endowed November 2017. Every few months I’ll experience “sleep paralysis” (like last night) but I don’t fear anymore and know this means better things are in store. This encourages me to be a better disciple and not let Satan win my soul.

Darlene S: I can totally relate to you! (unfortunately!) I've had this 'paralysis' too before, at least four times, with it happening twice while I was serving a mission in Montana in 1990. In my experience, three situations can cause it: success in the mission field (which thwarts satan's plans and makes him angry), intense and sincere personal study of the truth and scriptures that is continually enlightening to you (he's losing you!), and also evil spirits brought on by someone else's inappropriate activities or addictions when the evil spirits are angry that you're not joining in! (Or they're happy that you're losing in some way in the struggle and want to mock you!) I was "attacked" when my ex-husband had an affair when our second child was 5 months old and her brother was 3 years old and their father had just abandoned us. He was heavily addicted to pornography (to my horrific discovery that I found out a year after we were married in the TEMPLE!!) I was sleeping on the couch one night in the bonus room that my children and I were renting in someone's house. My baby was sleeping in her crib across the other side of the room and my 3 year old was sleeping in his bed near the same area. I had caught a pretty bad cold a few days before and so I felt weak with all that was going on. At about 12:30 am, I suddenly awoke for no reason, I thought for a few seconds. Then, I tried to move to get comfortable in a different position, but simultaneously discovered that I could not move, even after trying three times!! :( I knew from my missionary experience that if I could just say 'Jesus Christ' out loud, that I'd be able to move again. But...I kept trying to move my mouth, and I couldn't move that, either! I knew something (some evil being! :( was on top of me, and that it wouldn't let me move until I could say our Savior's name out loud! So I kept trying, but to no avail. I became determined to YELL his name!!! Finally, after the fourth desperate effort, I heard my voice yell, "Jesus Christ!!!" ...and I could move in that very instant! What a relief!!! After an instant of relief, I felt angry: How DARE one of my ex-husband's filthy unseen friends who LOVED that we LOST OUR HUSBAND AND FATHER try to get at me! AND mock me because we lost our family unit after I'd tried so hard over 4 desperate years to hold it together!! (To be sure, I wanted out of the marriage the moment I found out about his addiction, but kept hoping for another 3 years, somehow. When I accidentally found out about his affair, that was the last straw for me!! Two years before, our Bishop had warned him that if he didn't give up his pornography, he WOULD, FOR SURE, have an affair! ...Well, that was nearly 25 years ago, and I've felt so blessed not to live with a hopeless addict ever since, but I know that if I continue to follow the Savior, I'll be blessed and He will protect me, and He will protect you, as well! Keep your faith strong and know that prayer can also protect you, as well as daily scripture reading. Forgot to add that after the attack, I prayed, and felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost! We will win this mortal fight as long as we remain on the side of our Eternal Father and his Son, Jesus Christ! :)

What would you say to the millions of Muslims who say "God told me Islam is the only true religion"? Or those in Christendom who claim "Jesus himself appeared to me and said I had to start my own church. Here it is"? They feel the same feelings you feel and they think it's God. But it isn't. Have you ever looked into the mistakes people have made at times in the Mormon church when they have thought "I prayed about if I should marry this person and I know God wants me to marry this person! I just know it. The spirit assured me that this marriage will definitely be successful" or "I prayed about if I should start this business and I know God is revealing to me in my heart that this business venture is wise and will help me provide for my family. I know God will bless this. The spirit made it clear to me in a feeling inside me which I know to be true" Please ask people in your local ward if any of them have never had such a feeling that later turned out to be completely wrong? I promise you that there will be more than a few

I'm saddened to say Utah has been called 'the fraud capital of the United States'. What is it about Utahns that makes them so easily scammed? They are intelligent people. Not dummys. So what influence in their life could so commonly be leading them to trust scammers? Surely if the gift of discernment is true, it would be the least scammed place

@@truth.speaker what do comments prove other than there's no way if one truly knows God thinking He will force a spouse to tow the line in commitment's in this world where we've been given our agency. That has nothing to do with truth at all. The questions or statement made here requires hour's of study/conversation and making the effort truly desiring to know true principles. My first reply to my friend's who struggle is this? Are you spending as much time and effort into searching for truth as you are spending time looking for reasons to disbelieve? God bless

​@@truth.speaker And the Devil himself appears as an Angel of light 😮

@@truth.speaker you seem to be very knowledgeable about what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints…teaches…if you exercise a mustard seed of faith you can move mountains…but if you exercise a mustard seed of doubt…it will distract you and your choices to seek what is true… Regardless of what you say…Me and my family will truly and joyfully confess that Jesus is The Christ…and that He is the Beloved Son of our Loving Heavenly Father. I will be weeping for joy on that day when we will hear that glorious phrase “Behold my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. We may never meet here…but as I speak now…you and I will meet…along with many others…and a testimony will be shared with you…

I am so blessed to hear of your testimony!!! Father is SO GOOD!!!!!!! 👵👴🛐🕊🙏🇺🇸🌹

How do u know its true?

@@bigbandz4036 Do what Joseph did...study and pray with faith

Hi Constance, thank you for sharing your experience and testimony of the power of the priesthood and faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Carry on my dude.

I love it! :)

​@@scottvance74 Even if you don't consider Joseph a credible witness, there were two others there, the Father and the Son. Ask them.

My goodness ! You guys are some easy marks !

@@scottvance74 there is a podcast about the first vision from the Joseph smith papers that explains that the reason he didn't write it down for a couple years is because he didn't have a journal at the time and later started his journal

you belongs to the BSA?

Jacob Palmer TB. Nashua

Jacob Palmer :I subbed

False prophet. Jesus is God. Believe in the real one and you should not perish but have everlasting life.

@@jacksonrelaxin3425 We know Jesus Chris is God also. There's more truth to learn. God bless

@@binmyrtmind the truth is in the Holy Bible this aint it.

Wonderful to see !

Never thought of that. That's amazing to think of.

Front row seats with a bucket of popcorn

Yes indeed, and on a greater scale, we all witnessed the ministry of Jesus Christ and ultimately His crucifixion and resurrection. Perhaps this is why our testimonies are reinforced by our spirits remembering these divine events. 🙇🌹

I have wondered the same. It has always been thought of mine that we were part of the Heavenly host that was singing of goodwill to men when the Shepherds were told by the angel to go and find the newborn Savior.

Ciro Abdalla I love that sentiment. So true.

Amen ♡

Amen to this 🙏🙏

Amen!!

@@Alexandriafrancescakiel to get d

Agreed ❤

And Him Alone. Jesus is Enough

Rylee Rigby I agree with you Rhylee Rigby. 🙏💛😇

Thanks for sharing your testimony, Premalatha!

Thank you for all of you.

Keep going. You got this!

Premalatha,,,... What a cool name to go with such a sweet spirit!!!!!

My experience also!

Well you spread your word on what you saw

Welcome 🤗❤

Trevor Martin I’ve never heard that song! I’m now off to find it. Thank you so much for sharing!

I loved Janice Kapp Perry's music!

I look forward to be with Jesus for eternity. Everything for His Glory. Thankfull for His Grace that He could save a sinner like me. Praise God

Why is there more than one account? We were always taught there was only one.

Amen!

Satan disguise himself in an angel of light

@@user-ut3zn1en9o Can Satan cast out Satan?

Wey are in the only church of Jesus cristh i send greetings from Guadalajara Jalisco México

Why is there more than one version of the first vision?

Thanks for sharing your experience and testimony, Arturo!

Mandy Sommers , Jesus final words were “It is finished” he established his church and ended the need for a priesthood and animal sacrifices, Why would the work that was finished need to be re established ? The Bible also says no one has seen God at any time and lived , Also the Bible says even if an angel of light comes to you preaching a different gospel let him be accursed, The articles of faith state that you believe the Bible as far as it’s been translated correctly, That sounds exactly like something a false prophet would say . I would be very careful about this religion, Your eternity is depending on it and you only get one chance to get it right

@@Pound_Shift bun Il Love The Lord

@@Pound_Shift where did you get the idea Christ ended His Priesthood? Who told you that? Do you know the difference between an Angel from God and an angel of light? Just something to think about and if someone is truly interested in learning they will search these thing's out in their spiritual journey to know Christ's gospel.

Bin:. CKS say that. Mormonism, is an Angel of light. CKS was right joe saw an Angel of light. N O T. an Angel FROM GOD!!!!!!!

Abby C : Satan’s sinister influence on us as his victims is Satan’s own doing, and the unworthiness for doing so is on his own shoulders. Our cry to Heavenly Father for the Spirit and for rescue is important, especially the quick timing, not delaying, because Satan strikes like a flame; if we put it out quickly, no burn can happen. If we delay, a burn can happen. Timing is critical to safety.

I have cried out to the God many times when I felt overcome with Darkness, and each time, Darkness cleared and I was left with light. Those times are strong testimony builders of the Lords power and love, and the role of faith in my own spiritual success. But every time I felt unworthy. The Darkness was fear and concern about my own sins and mistakes. But He always rescued me.

Restored? What was wrong with it?

Hi @processofelimination9700, thanks for your question. We believe that when Jesus was on the earth, He established His Church. After the Savior's death and resurrection, Peter and other Church leaders were rejected and killed, and key teachings and priesthood authority were lost from the earth. Then, in 1820, God and Jesus called a new prophet named Joseph Smith to restore the Church and its true teachings. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's restored Church. To learn more, check out this short video about the restoration: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lJnN2FkgD-g.html If you'd like talk to missionaries, who can explain more in depth and answer more questions, submit a request here: www.comeuntochrist.org/contact-us?cid=42001274

@churchofjesuschrist so God couldn't preserve his word like he said he would? ( psalm 12:5-7) And needed someone nearly 2000 years later to correct it when it contradicts the bible? If God allowed his word to go years corrupted sounds to me he failed to preserve his word like he said he would.

Amen

Which version? Only one can be true.

@@scottbrandon6244 Hi Scott, just something to think about; I had a close call with death many years ago and was able to see who was watching over me. There's more to this story which I rarely share, unless someone needs to know more about what I experienced. I never relate my account the same way or provide a full story depending on a person's current situation is or what I know will be of help to them. It's a sacred thing to me also not wanting to offend my Father in Heaven by treating this gift lightly as the veil was opened for a period of time. I cannot deny what I know to be true. Why am I telling you this? Because I completely understand why Joseph didn't relate his experience the same or in it's fulness in different situation's. God bless.

Joseph had a close estimation...1844 is when Bahauallah made Himself manifest

I'm the Maughan “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:20 who is lying God or Joseph Smith

@@lukasbeier8338 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.-- Matthew 5:8 Looks like your reasoning has just been contradicted by scripture.

@@lukasbeier8338why didn’t Moses die after he spoke to God face to face?

gutadin5 So is the Book of Mormon! Both testify of Jesus Christ! The Book of Mormon and the Bible go hand in hand. Their companions of each other. “And if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni 10:4

@UC0ToaoNgr_Iusy8vVoj8-4A and isaiah 29 reveals the prophecies of the BOM and Joseph Smith

Yep. So is the BOM.

Yup! In Ezekiel 37:16 it speaks of two sticks (scrolls) that were to be written, The Stick of Judah, and The Stick of Ephraim. The stick of Judah is what was written by the Jews of Judah, we now call it the Holy Bible, The Stick of Ephraim was written by the Jews of Joseph, and is now known as The Book of Mormon :)

Yes, yes it is.

Thanks for sharing your experience and faith, Tacie. We're glad you're here.

Read Revelation 22

Tacie Stewart Great testimony! When your deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will be able to tell truth from lies. The internet will have lots of false information about our beliefs. But when we put our trust heavenly Parents we will know the true source of our beliefs. So stand strong in opposition! Many people will try to tell you otherwise. So like the prophet Thomas S. Monson said dare to stand alone! God bless you sister! #hearhim P.S. The Holy Ghost will tell you all things!

I always ask my associates if they're spending as much time searching for the truth in the scriptures as they are looking for falsehoods when they are searching the internet's anti LDS comment's. Why is it only the LDS Church that seems constantly targeted? Who is behind that? I have my answer!

He’s a heretic not a prophet.

Hi Charlotte, thanks for tuning in to the video and sharing your comment. We're glad you're here! We believe the honest seeker of truth can learn by the power of the Holy Ghost the veracity of Joseph Smith's testimony, the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. For more inspiring messages of hope and faith in Jesus Christ, we invite you to tune in to the Church's general conference this weekend, April 4-5, right here on RU-vid or on the Church's website (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). We would also encourage you to reach out to missionaries again; they'd be happy to answer your questions and help you in your search for truth. Request to talk with missionaries here: www.comeuntochrist.org/requests/missionary-visit Take care!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:20 who is lying God or Joseph Smith?

@@lukasbeier8338 Matt. 5:8 (KJV) “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

@@lukasbeier8338 Abraham saw God and lived. Moses saw God and lived. When God shows himself to his prophets or to anyone else, he changes them so that they can physically handle his glory temporarily.

Thank you for your testimony. It touched my soul x

Read the Bible and you’ll realize it didnt

David Niccum Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life. He established His Church, taught His gospel, and performed many miracles. He chose twelve men to be His apostles, including Peter, James, and John. He taught them and gave them priesthood authority to teach in His name and to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism. Www.comeuntochrist.org

Thank you for sharing! Love that you had that amazing experience!

Hi Carlos, to learn more, you can chat with representatives from our Church or request a visit here: www.comeuntochrist.org/contact-us?cid=42001274

@4:32 it shows him awakening. In all likelihood he prayed, collapsed from exhaustion, fell into a deep sleep and in this dream had his experience. This is what an honest reading of the accounts gives us. As such we have a third option. He believed it but was mistaken.

Only one version happened. You taught the correct one as a missionary.

Shane Plummer “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Exodus 33:20

This is blasphemy. Repent! But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8

I do too, and have for about 41years!!! 👵👴🛐🕊🙏🇺🇸🌹