Joseph Smith’s First Vision of Deity is foundational to
the faith. In 1838, when Joseph Smith began a history of his life,
he recounted this early vision published as part of
the history of the Church
and excerpted in The Pearl Great Price.
But this is not the only account of
the First Vision that Joseph Smith ever gave. In
the first volume of the History series of the Joseph Smith Papers,
you can find this and three other accounts of the First Vision.
About July of 1832, Joseph Smith and his scribe, Frederick G.
Williams, began writing
a history of his life in which Joseph Smith recounted his early
vision. In this account of the vision,
Joseph Smith was as much more concerned with receiving
forgiveness for his sins than he was with
the question of which church was right.
It's a very personal account,
and it helps us have a better idea of how he understood
the vision at the time.
Another difference is that this brief account of
the vision mentions only the appearance of Jesus Christ.
Another account of the vision was in 1835,
and this was in a personal conversation Joseph Smith had
with someone, and it was captured by his scribe, Warren Parrish,
who was helping him keep his journal at the time.
And this account clarifies that God
the Father appeared to Joseph Smith first
and then was joined by Jesus Christ,
who communicated Their message to him.
Yet another account of Joseph Smith's vision was given in 1842
in the so-called Wentworth letter that provides details not found
in other accounts. The traditional well-known account of this
early vision given in the Pearl of Great Price is
the most extensive account that Joseph Smith ever gave.
But a more complete and nuanced understanding of
the vision can be gained from reading all four of
the firsthand accounts.