I remember when I first received a spiritual affirmation of Joseph Smith’s experience when he saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, most often referred to as the First Vision.

It was a few months before I left on a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My parents took our family on a trip to explore some of the historical sites of the Restoration, including the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York—the wooded area near the Smith home where Joseph had this theophany.

Without sharing too much detail, my experience in the Sacred Grove had a significant impact on my testimony of not only the event that occurred there, but also of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. As I repeatedly conveyed my conviction about the First Vision as a missionary, that conviction only grew stronger.

In the years since, that firm conviction has remained. Whenever a gospel-related or church history-related question has arisen, I have always returned to my personal testimony of this event. I’m not sure I can fully explain it, but I cannot not believe Joseph.¹

For years, this quote has stuck with me:

“The First Vision is the very foundation of this Church, and it is my conviction that each member of this Church performs his duty in direct ratio to his personal testimony and faith in the First Vision. How well do you believe this story? No man having heard the Joseph Smith testimony can, in good conscience, remain on neutral ground.”²

I do not stand on neutral ground. I believe Joseph.

Lead image by M. Taylor

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This video depicts Joseph’s experience in the Sacred Grove:

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1. see “Return to the Grove” at Razing the Rameumptom
2. Robert L. Simpson, “Our Fundamental Obligation: The Priesthood“, General Conference, October 1973