Sacrament Talk on Moroni's Appearance to Joseph and D&C 2
PUTTING OURSELVES IN JOSEPH’S SHOES After the events of the First Vision, Joseph was thrilled for a little while with the joy of having obtained a remission of his sins and receiving knowledge that would lead to what we call the Restoration. Sometime later though, Joseph writes: “I fell into transgressions and sinned in many things which brought a wound upon my soul.” (1832 First Vision account) “I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God.” (JS-History 1:28) As one historian has put it: “[For Joseph, the First Vision] vision produce[d] an unsuccessful conversion, followed by a deep spiritual despondency." (The Mormon Jesus, p. 67) ............ Some of you are probably thinking, “Why are you leading your talk off on such a negative note?” To put it simply, this is the context of Joseph Smith’s spiritual state right before th
