JosephSmith-History
Overview
This text serves as the foundational historical and theological narrative of the Latter-day Saint movement. Written by Joseph Smith (and appended with an account by Oliver Cowdery), it details the events from 1820 to 1829 that led to the establishment of Mormonism. Amidst a period of intense religious revivalism in upstate New York, a young Joseph Smith, confused by competing denominational claims, turns to James 1:5 and prays for wisdom. He reports a vision of two glorious personages (understood as God the Father and Jesus Christ) who instruct him to join none of the existing sects, declaring all their creeds an 'abomination' and their professors 'corrupt.' This establishes the doctrine of the Great Apostasy. Three years later, Smith is visited by an angel—notably identified in this 1851 edition as 'Nephi' (later changed to Moroni in subsequent LDS editions)—who tells him of a buried record on gold plates containing the 'fulness of the everlasting gospel.' The narrative covers the retrieval of the plates, the use of the Urim and Thummim for translation, Martin Harris's disputed encounter with Professor Charles Anthon regarding the 'Reformed Egyptian' characters, and the arrival of Oliver Cowdery as scribe. The climax of the excerpt is the physical appearance of John the Baptist, who lays hands on Smith and Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, which is presented as an absolute prerequisite for valid baptism for the remission of sins. The text fundamentally shifts the epistemological basis of faith from biblical sufficiency to modern prophetic revelation and exclusive institutional authority.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The author and central figure, presented as the uniquely chosen prophet through whom God restores the true church, priesthood, and gospel.
- Two Personages: Heavenly beings (understood in LDS theology as God the Father and Jesus Christ) who appear in the First Vision to condemn all existing Christian sects.
- Nephi (Angel): The heavenly messenger who reveals the location of the gold plates. Note: This is a highly significant textual variant, as modern LDS scripture identifies this angel as Moroni.
- John the Baptist: Appears as a resurrected being to physically confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
- Oliver Cowdery: Scribe for the Book of Mormon translation and co-recipient of the restored Aaronic Priesthood; provides a corroborating testimony at the end of the text.
- Martin Harris: Early benefactor who takes the copied characters to Professor Anthon in New York.
- Professor Charles Anthon: A secular scholar whose alleged validation (and subsequent rejection) of the characters is used to fulfill prophecy (Isaiah 29) and validate the plates' authenticity.
- Peter, James, and John: Mentioned by John the Baptist as holding the higher Melchizedek Priesthood, which would be conferred later.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
The Great Apostasy
Assertion
All existing Christian denominations are wrong, their creeds are an abomination to God, and their professors 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 negative foundation of Mormonism. By asserting that all creeds are an 'abomination' and all professors 'corrupt,' Joseph Smith's narrative completely delegitimizes 1,800 years of Christian history, theology, and ecclesiastical authority. In contrast, Evangelical Christianity holds to the indefectibility of the Church based on Christ's promise in Matthew 16:18 ('the gates of hell shall not prevail against it') and Ephesians 3:21 ('Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages'). While Evangelicals acknowledge periods of corruption requiring reformation, they vehemently deny a total apostasy that would necessitate a complete 'restoration' of the Gospel, as the Word of God (1 Peter 1:25) and the Holy Spirit's presence in believers have remained unbroken.
Restoration of the Priesthood
Assertion
Authority to baptize and act in God's name was lost from the earth and had to be physically restored by angelic visitation (John the Baptist).
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
This text introduces the necessity of a literal, restored priesthood authority to perform valid sacraments (ordinances). John the Baptist allegedly confers the 'Aaronic Priesthood' upon Smith and Cowdery, making them the only men on earth authorized to baptize. Evangelical Christianity rejects this entirely, holding to the 'Priesthood of all Believers' (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). In the New Covenant, Christ is the sole mediating High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16, 1 Timothy 2:5), and the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood has been permanently fulfilled and abolished (Hebrews 7:11-12). The requirement of a specific, restored institutional priesthood to mediate salvation is viewed by Evangelicals as a return to Old Covenant shadows and a denial of Christ's finished work.
Baptismal Necessity for Remission of Sins
Assertion
Baptism by immersion, performed by one holding the restored Aaronic Priesthood, is required for the remission of sins.
Evidence from Text
...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 explicitly links the remission of sins to the physical act of water baptism performed by a specific priesthood authority. This creates a works-based soteriology where grace is mediated through institutional rituals. Evangelical Christianity stands firmly on Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone). Passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28, and Romans 5:1 declare that believers are justified entirely by faith in Christ's finished work, apart from any works of the law or ritual ordinances. While Evangelicals practice baptism out of obedience to Christ's command (Matthew 28:19), it is understood as an outward testimony of a salvation already received by faith, not the mechanism by which sins are remitted.
Open Canon and New Revelation
Assertion
God has provided new scripture (the Book of Mormon) on gold plates to reveal the 'fulness of the everlasting gospel.'
Evidence from Text
He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates... He also said that, the fulness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it...
Evangelical Comparison
The narrative centers on the bringing forth of new scripture (the Book of Mormon) via angelic direction and miraculous translation. This directly challenges the Evangelical pillar of Sola Scriptura, which asserts that the 66 books of the Bible are the complete, sufficient, and final revelation of God for salvation and Christian living (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jude 1:3). Evangelicals view the claim that the Bible is missing the 'fulness of the everlasting gospel' as a violation of warnings against adding to God's word (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30:6) and accepting different gospels delivered by angels (Galatians 1:8).
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text posits a complete apostasy of historical Christianity, requiring a total restoration of priesthood authority, scripture, and doctrine through Joseph Smith, whereas Evangelicalism believes the Gospel and the Church were never lost.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between this text and Evangelical Christianity is absolute and unbridgeable regarding ecclesiology, authority, and soteriology. The text asserts the 'Great Apostasy'—the idea that all Christian churches became corrupt, their creeds an abomination, and their authority void. Consequently, it claims that God had to physically restore the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods through angelic visitations to Joseph Smith. This creates an exclusive, institutional monopoly on salvation ordinances. Evangelicalism, conversely, operates on the doctrine of the indefectibility of the Church (Matthew 16:18) and the sufficiency of Scripture (Sola Scriptura). Evangelicals believe the Gospel of grace has been preserved through the ages in the biblical text. Furthermore, the text's insistence that baptism by this specific restored priesthood is required for the remission of sins directly violates the Evangelical pillar of Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone). By adding necessary works (ordinances) and necessary human mediators (LDS priesthood holders) to the equation of salvation, the text presents a fundamentally different gospel than the one preached by the New Testament apostles.
For All Ages
Imagine you have a family recipe book for making the perfect cake, passed down for generations. Christians believe this book (the Bible) has always been safe, and we just need to read it to make the cake. Joseph Smith said that the book was completely ruined a long time ago, and everyone was accidentally making poison cakes. He claimed God had to come down from heaven, tell him everyone else was wrong, and give him a brand new recipe book and special cooking tools that no one else has. Christians disagree because Jesus promised His recipe book and His kitchen would never be destroyed.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Claims the Bible is insufficient to resolve doctrinal disputes and introduces new scripture (Book of Mormon) via gold plates.
Sola Fide
Requires water baptism performed by a specific priesthood authority for the remission of sins.
Indefectibility of the Church
Declares all existing Christian sects wrong, their creeds an abomination, and their professors corrupt.
Universal Priesthood
Re-establishes an Aaronic/Levitical priesthood model requiring human mediators for divine ordinances.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Priesthood"
In This Text
A literal, hierarchical authority to act in God's name, restored by angels, required to perform valid saving ordinances like baptism.
In Evangelicalism
The spiritual status of all true believers (Priesthood of all believers) who have direct access to God through the sole High Priest, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 4:14-16).
"Baptism"
In This Text
An essential ordinance performed by the LDS priesthood for the literal remission of sins.
In Evangelicalism
An outward sign and testimony of an inward reality; an act of obedience following justification by faith, not the cause of justification.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Remission of sins, receiving the Holy Ghost, and entering the true Church.
How Attained: Through faith, repentance, and crucially, baptism by immersion administered by someone holding the restored Aaronic Priesthood.
Basis of Assurance: Subjective spiritual experiences (feeling the Holy Ghost, prophesying) and objective participation in institutional ordinances.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text stands in direct opposition to Sola Fide. While Evangelicals believe justification occurs the moment a person places faith in Christ (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9), this text inserts a mandatory ritual (baptism) and a mandatory human mediator (LDS priesthood holder) between the sinner and forgiveness.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Ask of God for wisdom (application of James 1:5).
- Join none of the existing religious sects.
- Have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God and build his kingdom.
- Do not show the plates, breastplate, or Urim and Thummim to anyone unless commanded.
- Go and be baptized.
- Joseph Smith must baptize Oliver Cowdery, and then Oliver must baptize Joseph.
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God.
- Believe that all historical Christian churches are apostate and corrupt.
- Accept the Book of Mormon as divine scripture.
- Endure persecution and social ostracization for the sake of this new revelation.
Ritual Requirements
- Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
- Ordination to the priesthood by the laying on of hands.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- If Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, how do we understand the claim in the First Vision that all churches became an abomination?
- I noticed in this 1851 version of the Pearl of Great Price, the angel who visits Joseph is named Nephi, but modern versions say Moroni. How do you reconcile that change in the historical record?
- If the Aaronic priesthood was fulfilled and replaced by Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 7), why would John the Baptist need to restore it for us to be forgiven?
- When you read James 1:5, do you think James was telling believers to pray to find out which church was true, or was he writing to Christians who were already in the true church facing trials?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
Desire for Truth amidst Confusion
Everyone experiences confusion and desires absolute truth. We can validate that desire, but point them to the objective truth found in the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the reliable, unchanging Word of God, rather than subjective feelings.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer cannot seek forgiveness or salvation directly from Christ; they are entirely dependent on the LDS institution and its priesthood holders to perform the necessary ordinances. This creates a barrier between the believer and God.
Because truth is determined by subjective feelings ('burning in the bosom' or visions) rather than objective scripture, the believer may constantly doubt if their feelings are truly from God, leading to spiritual anxiety.
The requirement of specific physical rituals (baptism by proper authority) for the remission of sins shifts the focus from Christ's finished work to human performance and obedience.
The belief that all other Christians are part of an 'abomination' creates a severe psychological barrier, isolating the adherent from the broader body of Christ and fostering a persecution complex.