What do I believe about the First Vision and Joseph Smith and why do I believe it?
A question posed at the beginning of this semester really caused me to stop and think. When I was asked "What do I believe about the First Vision and Joseph Smith and why do you believe it?" I had to stop and evaluate what I really did believe. Here, after pondering and praying, are the thoughts and testimony that came to my heart.
I believe that Joseph Smith, a teenage boy, had a question that he was struggling with. I believe that he was inspired to ponder this question and then to kneel in prayer and take it before our Heavenly Father. I believe that his prayer was answered through the appearance of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that they talked with Him. I believe that this event changed the world and opened the way for the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth. I believe that a humble boy’s prayer was answered, and I believe that the same can happen to each and every one of us. I believe that God loves us and that He does not want us to feel alone and in the dark. He will shine His light on each of us if we ask in faith.
Why do I believe these things? I believe that the First Vision, and everything that came about because of it, happened because I can’t afford not to believe it. I can’t afford for this not to be true and I can’t bring myself to believe that it isn’t true. We all have too much riding on this belief. We have so much hope in our lives because of the divine vision that Joseph had of God in the Sacred Grove. Everything that we have today started in that grove of trees. The belief of the First Vision helps me to see the love that God has for His children, that He has a plan for us, and that He hears and answers prayers.
Heavenly Father does not want me, or any of His children, in darkness. He inspired Joseph to pray so that he could leave the darkness. This was something that Joseph had never done before so he must have been inspired to do it. God wanted to appear to Joseph, to comfort His child, and to start the process of the Restoration so that all of His children could hear the good and joyous news of the Gospel and of the hope that comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I believe the First Vision happened because I can feel of the love of God through it. It can’t not be true!
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