Joseph Smith-History
Overview
Joseph Smith-History is a foundational narrative text for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, extracted from Smith's longer 1838 autobiographical history. It serves as the official account of the origins of Mormonism. The text begins by describing the religious excitement in upstate New York in 1820, which led a young Joseph Smith to seek divine guidance regarding which church to join. Relying on James 1:5, he retreated to the woods to pray, resulting in the 'First Vision'—a theophany where he claims two distinct personages (God the Father and Jesus Christ) appeared to him, explicitly forbidding him from joining any existing Christian sect because all their creeds were an 'abomination' and their professors 'corrupt.' The narrative then jumps to 1823, detailing multiple visitations from the angel Moroni, who informed Smith of an ancient record written on gold plates buried in a nearby hill. After a four-year probationary period, Smith claims he was entrusted with the plates and the Urim and Thummim to translate what would become the Book of Mormon. The text also recounts the involvement of Martin Harris, the skepticism of Professor Charles Anthon, and the arrival of Oliver Cowdery as a scribe. The excerpt concludes with the pivotal event of May 1829: the appearance of John the Baptist, who allegedly conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Smith and Cowdery, granting them the exclusive authority to baptize for the remission of sins, thereby establishing the necessity of restored priesthood authority for salvation.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The author, narrator, and central figure who claims to be the recipient of divine visions, angelic visitations, and restored priesthood authority, positioning himself as the prophet of a new dispensation.
- God the Father: Appears in the First Vision as a distinct, localized personage who introduces Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ: Appears in the First Vision to explicitly condemn all existing Christian sects, creeds, and professors as corrupt and abominable.
- Moroni: An angelic messenger (a resurrected ancient American prophet) who visits Smith multiple times to reveal the location of the gold plates and instruct him on his prophetic mission.
- Oliver Cowdery: Smith's primary scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon and co-recipient of the restored Aaronic Priesthood.
- John the Baptist: Appears as a resurrected angelic messenger to confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon Smith and Cowdery, granting them authority to baptize.
- Martin Harris: A wealthy farmer who provided financial assistance to Smith and took a transcript of characters from the plates to scholars in New York.
- Charles Anthon: A Columbia College professor whom Harris consulted; the text claims he verified the characters but tore up his certificate upon learning of their angelic origin.
- Peter, James, and John: Mentioned by John the Baptist as the ancient apostles who hold the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which would be restored later.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The Great Apostasy
Assertion
All existing Christian denominations are entirely wrong, their creeds are an abomination to God, and their leaders are corrupt.
Evidence from Text
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt
Evangelical Comparison
The doctrine of the Great Apostasy is the foundational premise of Mormonism, asserting that the true Gospel, priesthood authority, and correct church organization were completely lost from the earth shortly after the death of the original apostles. According to Joseph Smith-History, Jesus Christ Himself declared that all existing sects were 'wrong' and their creeds an 'abomination.' This necessitates a complete 'restoration' rather than a 'reformation.' Evangelical Christianity fundamentally rejects this premise. While Evangelicals acknowledge periods of severe corruption and theological error within church history (necessitating the Protestant Reformation), they hold to the indefectibility of the universal Church. Evangelicals rely on Christ's explicit promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church, and His assurance in Matthew 28:20 to be with His followers 'always, to the end of the age.' Furthermore, Ephesians 3:21 declares that God will receive glory in the church 'throughout all generations.' Therefore, the assertion that the true church completely vanished from the earth contradicts the biblical promises of Christ's sustaining power over His bride.
Plurality of Personages in the Godhead (Anti-Trinitarianism)
Assertion
God the Father and Jesus Christ are two distinct, separate, and localized personages.
Evidence from Text
When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
Evangelical Comparison
In the First Vision narrative, Joseph Smith describes seeing 'two Personages' standing above him in the air. In the broader context of LDS theology, this event is interpreted as proof that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two entirely separate beings, each with a physical body of flesh and bones. This text serves as the historical anchor for Mormonism's rejection of the historic, orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. Evangelical Christianity adheres to the biblical revelation of the Trinity: that there is only one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10, 44:6), who exists eternally in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is spirit (John 4:24), omnipresent, and uncreated. The depiction of God the Father as a localized, visible personage standing in the air contradicts the biblical assertion that God is invisible and that 'no one has ever seen God' (John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16). The Evangelical baseline views the LDS interpretation of this vision as a form of tritheism or henotheism, fundamentally incompatible with biblical Theology Proper.
Open Canon and Continuing Revelation
Assertion
God continues to reveal new scripture (the Book of Mormon) through modern prophets, and the Bible is insufficient to resolve theological disputes.
Evidence from Text
the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.
Evangelical Comparison
Joseph Smith-History explicitly undermines the sufficiency and clarity of the Bible. Smith states that the varying interpretations of scripture by different sects 'destroy[ed] all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.' This epistemological crisis is resolved in the text not by deeper biblical exegesis, but by direct, extra-biblical revelation (the First Vision) and the introduction of new scripture (the Book of Mormon, translated from gold plates). This directly violates the Evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura. Evangelicals believe that the 66 books of the Bible are the inspired, infallible, and sufficient Word of God. While human interpretation may be flawed, the Scriptures themselves are sufficient for salvation and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Furthermore, Evangelicals believe the canon of Scripture is closed, as God has spoken His final and ultimate word through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), and the faith was 'once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 1:3). The addition of the Book of Mormon and the reliance on modern prophetic revelation are seen as dangerous deviations from biblical authority.
Exclusive Priesthood Authority
Assertion
Valid baptisms and church ordinances can only be performed by those holding the literal, restored Aaronic (and later Melchizedek) Priesthood.
Evidence from Text
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
Evangelical Comparison
The text describes the physical appearance of John the Baptist, who lays hands on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to confer the 'Priesthood of Aaron.' This priesthood is explicitly stated to hold the keys to 'baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.' This establishes the LDS doctrine that no ordinance is valid in the eyes of God unless performed by a male who has been ordained into this specific, unbroken chain of restored priesthood authority. Evangelical Christianity vehemently rejects this concept, adhering instead to the Universal Priesthood of all believers. 1 Peter 2:9 declares that all believers are a 'royal priesthood.' Furthermore, the book of Hebrews explicitly teaches that the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood was fulfilled and abolished by Christ, who now holds the permanent Melchizedek priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-12, 24). Because Christ's priesthood is untransferable and eternal, there is no biblical basis for 'restoring' the Aaronic priesthood to men. Evangelicals believe that any true believer can baptize, as the power lies in the Gospel and the command of Christ, not in a hierarchical chain of authority.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text posits a complete apostasy of historic Christianity, necessitating a restoration of priesthood authority and new scripture. It rejects the Trinity, Sola Scriptura, and Sola Fide, replacing them with a plurality of gods, an open canon, and salvation mediated through an exclusive institutional priesthood.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between Joseph Smith-History and historic Evangelical Christianity is foundational and unbridgeable, centering primarily on the doctrines of ecclesiology, authority, and theology proper. Joseph Smith asserts a 'Great Apostasy,' claiming that all existing Christian sects were 'wrong,' their creeds 'an abomination,' and their professors 'corrupt' (v. 19). This necessitates a complete restoration of the Gospel, priesthood authority, and the church. In stark contrast, Evangelicalism holds to the indefectibility of the Church universal, trusting Christ's promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against it, and relying on the unbroken continuity of the Gospel message preserved in the biblical text. Furthermore, the text introduces a radical departure from orthodox Trinitarianism and Sola Scriptura. The First Vision narrative (v. 17) presents the Father and the Son as two distinct, localized personages, laying the groundwork for Mormonism's later explicit polytheism/henotheism and rejection of God's omnipresent, immaterial nature. Epistemologically, the text shifts the locus of authority from the closed canon of Scripture to modern prophetic revelation and angelic ministration. The restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (v. 68-70) directly contradicts the Evangelical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the sufficiency of Christ's final, unchangeable Melchizedekian priesthood (Hebrews 7). Finally, the soteriological implications are profound. By asserting that baptism for the remission of sins must be performed by one holding this newly restored Aaronic Priesthood, the text fundamentally denies Sola Fide (justification by faith alone). It replaces the finished work of Christ and the immediate imputation of righteousness upon belief with a system of sequential ordinances mediated by an exclusive institutional hierarchy. This creates a paradigm where salvation is inextricably linked to the institutional Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rather than union with Christ through faith alone.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a favorite recipe book that your family has used for generations. It has everything you need to make the perfect cake. But one day, someone comes along and says, 'Actually, all those cakes you've been making are wrong. The original recipe was lost, and an angel had to give me the real, secret recipe. You can only make a true cake if you use my new recipe and my special kitchen.' In this story, Joseph Smith is saying that all the Christian churches were wrong and that God's true teachings were lost. He claimed an angel gave him new scriptures (like the gold plates) and special permission (priesthood) to start the only true church. Evangelical Christians believe that God's 'recipe book'—the Bible—was never lost or broken. We believe Jesus promised that His church would never completely fail. We don't need new angels or new secret recipes because Jesus already did everything needed to save us, and we just have to trust in Him!
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
The text claims the Bible is insufficient to resolve truth (v. 12) and introduces new scripture (Book of Mormon) and continuing revelation.
Sola Fide
Requires baptism by specific priesthood authority for the remission of sins (v. 68), adding works and institutional mediation to justification.
Theology Proper / Trinity
Depicts God the Father and Jesus Christ as two distinct, separate personages (v. 17).
Universal Priesthood
Claims the Aaronic Priesthood had to be restored by John the Baptist to authorize baptisms (v. 68-70).
Ecclesiology
Asserts a total apostasy where all Christian creeds are abominations and all professors corrupt (v. 19).
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
A literal, hierarchical authority restored by angels (Aaronic and Melchizedek) required to perform valid saving ordinances like baptism.
In Evangelicalism
The spiritual status of all true believers (1 Peter 2:9) who have direct access to God through the sole high priesthood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7).
"Baptism"
In This Text
An ordinance performed by immersion for the remission of sins, which is only valid if performed by someone holding the restored Aaronic Priesthood.
In Evangelicalism
An outward sign of an inward grace; a public declaration of faith and identification with Christ's death and resurrection, not the mechanism that washes away sins (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: The remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Ghost, leading to standing in God's restored kingdom.
How Attained: Through faith, repentance, and specifically baptism by immersion performed by a male holding the restored Aaronic Priesthood.
Basis of Assurance: Experiencing the Holy Ghost, the spirit of prophecy, and feelings of enlightenment immediately following the correct performance of the priesthood ordinance (v. 73-74).
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text directly contradicts Sola Fide. While Evangelicals believe justification is an instantaneous legal declaration by God based solely on faith in Christ (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9), this text makes the remission of sins contingent upon a physical ritual (baptism) performed by a specific institutional authority (Aaronic Priesthood).
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Join none of the existing religious sects (v. 19).
- Have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God and build His kingdom (v. 46).
- Tell Joseph's father of the vision and commandments received from Moroni (v. 49).
- Go to the hill Cumorah precisely in one year from that time, and continue to do so annually (v. 53).
- Be responsible for the plates and use all endeavors to preserve them (v. 59).
- Baptize one another (Smith to baptize Cowdery, then Cowdery to baptize Smith) (v. 70).
- Ordain one another to the Aaronic Priesthood after baptism (v. 71).
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's narrative as literal, historical truth.
- Believe that all historic Christian creeds are abominations.
- Endure persecution and social ostracization as evidence of possessing the truth.
- Seek direct, experiential revelation from God rather than relying solely on the Bible.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (v. 68-69).
- Ordination to the priesthood by the physical laying on of hands (v. 68, 71).
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If Jesus promised in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, how do we understand the claim in verse 19 that all churches were completely wrong and corrupt?
- I noticed that Joseph Smith relied on James 1:5 to pray for wisdom. Since James was writing to Christians who already had the Gospel, do you think he meant we should pray to find out if the Gospel itself had been lost?
- In Galatians 1:8, Paul warns that even if an angel from heaven preaches a different gospel, they should be accursed. How do you discern if an angelic visitation is truly from God?
- Hebrews 7 says that the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood was changed and that Jesus now holds His priesthood permanently. Why would John the Baptist need to restore a priesthood that Jesus already fulfilled and holds forever?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for truth amidst religious confusion.
Every person experiences the longing for absolute truth in a confusing world. Instead of pointing to a new church or a new prophet, the Gospel points directly to Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of truth.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
Because salvation (remission of sins) is tied to ordinances performed by exact priesthood authority, adherents bear the burden of ensuring they are in good standing with the institution. Their assurance of salvation is not based on Christ's finished work, but on their ongoing worthiness and the validity of the priesthood line of the men performing their rituals.
The text heavily emphasizes that possessing the 'truth' immediately results in bitter persecution from the 'sectarian world' (historic Christians). This cultivates an 'us vs. them' mentality, making adherents suspicious of outside theological critique, viewing any disagreement as a fulfillment of the persecution narrative rather than an opportunity for genuine dialogue.