Showing posts with label First Vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Vision. Show all posts

Friday, September 20, 2013

Mormon Movie: The Restoration

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng

This is another depiction of the first vision, however in this version, the build up to the vision takes a full year.  This movie does a good job of adding some depth to the experience.  It compares the restoration to a small seed, and then a seedling, and then grows into a large maple. 
This movie again depicts the conditions around Palmyra which lead up to the first vision.  It shows a young man, Joseph, who is concerned for his own spiritual welfare.  He ponders and asks questions and studies.  He goes to his father with questions, and to his mother.  They both advise him to seek and it shall be given him.  Then when he reads in James chapter 1, "if any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him."  Because of his searching, and pondering, when he read this scripture, it entered Joseph's heart with great force, and he determined to put it into action. 
As in "The First Vision" it shows Joseph's walk to the grove, playing "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning." 
While "The First Vision" ended with the vision, this movie continues on to give some background to the restoration of the priesthood, and establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

The First Vision: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Video Presentations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5UA78MT44Y
movie on You Tube
I am going through a VCR published by the church to be used with the Doctrine and Covenants course for gospel doctrine in Sunday school.  It is dated It was produced in 1996.  The first is entitled the First Vision.  In includes excerpts from the movie by the same title, and then has President Hinckley's testimony of the truthfulness of the Joseph Smith story. 
The first vision is an historical reenactment.  It shows the conditions around Palmyra in 1820.  There was a great agitation about religion.  Joseph Smith, a boy of 14, was confused about what to do--which of the churches should he join.  In this confusion he was reading the Bible, and read in James chapter 1 verse 5: If any of ye lack wisdom let him ask of God which giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him; but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  In Joseph Smith's words no scripture had ever entered the heart of a man with such force.  He pondered on this question, and then determined that he must but this test to the test, he must ask God what he should do.
As he had determined he went to a grove close to his home in the morning of a clear Spring day. As he prayed, Joseph said, in his own words, I saw a pillar of light above me in the air, which descended out of heaven until it rested just above me.  There were two personages in the light.  One of them pointed to the other and said, this is my beloved son, hear him.  When Joseph recovered himself, he asked which church should he join.  He was told to join none of them.  Joseph ends with the statement from his history.  I had seen a light.  I knew and God knew it and I could not deny it.  I believe this is a true history of events.  Joseph Smith was a true prophet.