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Show Abraham, Joseph Smith introduced for the FIRST TIME in the Times and Seasons, 1842, THIS CLAIM OF A 1820 VISION OF THE FATHER AND THE SON, twenty-two years after it was supposed to have happened. The age of fifteen years was claimed, which age had been corrected and attention called to it THAT THE ACCOUNT MIGHT BE A COR RECT ONE IN THE FULL HISTORY which was published and endorsed as written by Oliver Cow dery in the Messenger and Advocate in 1834. 15 There is not ONE STATEMENT IN WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED HISTORY for such a claim as this 1820 vision prior to the 1842 publication of such a claim. I personally accompanied by Mrs. Barbara Moore went to the Historian's Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 21, 1960, and asked to see the recorded history of this vision as written by J 0seph Smith, WHICH THEY CLAIM TO HAVE. I was told emphatically and in no uncertain terms, NO, that such things were too sacred for the pub lic to see." We told him that we had always heard that they had the record of THIS HAPPENING OF 1820 and again asked him (Mr. A. William Lunde) to let us see JUST THAT ITEM OF IT. He a gain "Said, HTHE ANSWER IS NO." Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Tanner of Salt Lake City wrote to the Latter Day Saints' Historian of Salt Lake City and DESIRED TO SEE THIS RECOR DED HISTORY OF THIS FIRST VISION CLAIM They were informed that it was in a journal of a great-grandfather of Hugh Nibley. These letters with their information I will quote as follows: Dear Mrs. Tanner: The day my great-grandfather heard that r markable account of the First Vision from Joseph Smith he wrote it down in his journal: and for 40 years after he never mentioned it to a soul. There fore, when I came across the story unexpectedly I handed the book over to Joseph Fielding Smith and it is now where it belongs-in a safe. The Prophet 'did not like to talk about the First Vision and those to whom he told the story kept it to themselves. It was only when inevitable leaks led to all sorts of irresponsible reports that he was "Induced" to publish an official version. I am treat ing the subject at some length in a forthcoming - study. Yours very truly, Hugh Nibley March 13,1961 Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Tanner 319 North 5th West Salt Lake City, Utah Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tanner: Private journals are filed in this office with -the understanding that they will be available to members of the family, but not to the general public. The furnishing of copies of journals also follows this ruling. Sincerely, Joseph Fielding Smith March 8, 1961 Mrs. Jerald Tanner 319 North 5th West Salt Lake City, Utah March 21,1961 Mrs. Jerald Tanner 319 North 5th West 12 13 |
