Question
Gramps,
If no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father, how did Joseph see him?
Don
Answer
Don,
Joseph’s account of the First Vision details a moment of intense spiritual struggle. He described being enveloped in a pillar of light that descended upon him, which was brighter than the sun. In this light, he saw two beings who resembled each other, and one of them called him by name, saying, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” This experience left Joseph physically weakened, as he later recounted, “when I came to myself, I was sprawling on my back and it was some time before my strength returned.”
The physical exhaustion Joseph felt after the vision aligns with the concept of being quickened. It suggests that even though he was able to see God, the experience took a toll on his mortal body, reinforcing the idea that such encounters are extraordinary and transformative.
While Joseph Smith did not hold the Melchizedek Priesthood at the time of his First Vision, it is essential to understand that his prophetic calling was established through this divine encounter. The Lord’s appearance to Joseph was a direct ordination, granting him the authority to act in God’s name. This is significant because it indicates that the priesthood is not merely a matter of ordination but also divine appointment and empowerment.
In the context of Joseph’s experience, the priesthood serves as a means through which the power of godliness is manifest. While he may not have held the priesthood at the moment of the vision, the divine encounter itself was a precursor to his later ordination and the establishment of the Church.
Joseph Smith’s vision has far-reaching implications for Latter-day Saint theology. It emphasizes the belief that God is a tangible, embodied being who desires to communicate with His children. This understanding contrasts with traditional Christian views that often depict God as an abstract, unknowable entity. Joseph’s experience reinforces the idea that God is accessible and that individuals can have personal encounters with the divine.
Joseph’s vision also contributes to the Latter-day Saint understanding of the Godhead. In his accounts, Joseph emphasized that God the Father and Jesus Christ are distinct beings with physical bodies. This belief is foundational to the Church’s teachings and sets it apart from many other Christian denominations that adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity.
The First Vision points to the importance of personal revelation in Latter-day Saint belief. Joseph’s experience serves as a model for individuals seeking truth and guidance from God. It encourages members of the Church to seek their own spiritual experiences and to rely on personal revelation as a means of understanding their relationship with God
Related articles:
How was Joseph Smith able to see the Father?
How is it Joseph Smith saw God and lived?
Gramps
