The First Vision: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast

We are pleased to announce a new mini-series called The Priesthood Restored: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast. The new podcast launches in January 2021 and explores the events that played a role in the restoration of the priesthood.

Episode 6 - Why does the story of Joseph Smith’s first vision—a story about a teenage boy in western New York during the early nineteenth century—still resonate with people around the world today?

Episode 5 - This episode explores the immediate aftermath of the First Vision and Joseph Smith’s recounting of the event throughout his life.

Episode 4 - Have you ever heard the story of Joseph Smith’s first vision told using all the surviving accounts of the event? That’s the focus of this episode. Here, the nine different accounts from Joseph Smith’s lifetime are woven together.

Mark Staker, a curator specializing in the Smith family farm and sacred grove, shares fascinating insights into the environment of Joseph Smith's transformative moment in 1820. They delve into the vibrant biodiversity of the woods, highlighting the sounds and sights of springtime. The discussion reveals the grove's lush landscape and contrasts it with common depictions, enriching our understanding of its significance. Staker also connects the maple harvesting season to Joseph's pivotal life events, illustrating how nature and spirit entwined.

Episode 2 - In 1820, Joseph Smith was seeking answers to the pressing questions of his soul. He wanted to know which church was the church of Jesus Christ, but that was not his only question.

Exploration of social, cultural, and economic factors leading to religious fervor in early 19th-century America. Discussion on Methodism expansion and migration trends. Impact of Erie Canal on religious revivalism in Western New York, setting the stage for Joseph Smith's divine encounter.

Prologue - Listeners will hear a story that is simultaneously familiar and new as they learn little-known details of the story of Joseph Smith’s first vision—details that illuminate the event and its relevance today.