The First Vision

Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17 "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personage, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" 
     Since my last post was somewhat of an introductory post and explanation of the naming of this blog, it didn't require much meditation over what to write about.  This post, however, was after much contemplation over what would be the most appropriate subject.  Many ideas crossed my mind but none of them seemed just right. After nearly giving up and settling with a different topic (that I will probably entertain next week) I opened the Teachings of Joseph Smith and saw what the first chapter was entitled.  The First Vision.  The title hit me right across the head and not only did I realize that this was the perfect opening principle but I also felt a little embarrassed for not "thinking of it on my own".  As a missionary, I came to embrace The First Vision and understand why it is so important to our personal salvation.
      As a new missionary I struggled with this principle.  I didn't understand why we always talked about it and was part of the first lesson.  I think I felt this way because I was tired of people ridiculing us by asking "why do you guys always talk about Joseph Smith?"  Part of me wanted to just give in and tell the people what they wanted to hear instead of what the Spirit wanted us to tell them.  In President Hinckley's majestic second to last general conference talk he spoke on this very subject and said "The second great certitude of which I am sure also has its foundation in the vision of the Prophet Joseph. It is that Jesus lives."  He added to that point in his final talk the following conference where he stated "You and I are faced with the stark question of accepting the truth of the First Vision and that which followed it. On the question of its reality lies the very validity of this Church."  This caused me to pose a series of questions to myself: why do we still talk about this vision when there have been so many? Why do the current prophets not speak of their own visions? Why are their testimonies based in The First Vision?  Following much pondering and study I came to the following revelations (for they truly were veiled from me but then they were revealed):

Why do we still talk about this vision when there have been so many?

• It is the first of this dispensation
• Everything depends on the veracity of this vision
• It is one of the only ones where the Father appeared along with the Son
• There is no stronger evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Why do current prophets not speak of their own visions?

• Those visions are so sacred/personal and should not be "cast before swines"
• Because their testimonies are based in the first vision

Why are their testimonies based in the First Vision?

• They had to have had a testimony before they became a prophet 
• It wouldn't be fair if their testimonies were based in something we don't know
• So we can have the same foundation as theirs

I now understand what Pres. Hinckley meant.  The First Vision is the greatest evidence that Christ resurrected and lives.  We don't have to rely solely upon Stephen or Paul's visions 2000 years ago.  We don't have to believe that Christ appeared to his apostles in ages of old but not anymore.  We have the strongest modern day manifestation imaginable.  
    To anyone that still asks "why do we still talk about this Vision?" I would reply with the question "how could we stop talking about it? It is the most marvelous vision in the history of the world. Why wouldn't you want to believe it? It is the most powerful evidence of the resurrection of our Savior."  We should not be ashamed to speak of it but rather we should love it so much that we might need to beware of being too proud of it (if such a case were possible).
     Finally, many crucial doctrines are set forth in the First Vision, such as the correction of the misconstrued concept of the Trinity, the power of personal prayer and revelation, and the necessity of a true church.  One thing I learned in the dedication Henry B Eyring gave of the First Vision statue at BYU is that: the vision isn't about Joseph Smith, it is about Who he saw.  Likewise, nothing will increase our faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more than a testimony of the First Vision.  A sure and sacred testimony which I was blessed with in the mountains of Momostenango Guatemala on May 25th, 2008.

Alma-Father's Day

Helaman 5:6 "I have given unto you the names of our first parents...that when you remember your names ye may remember them...and their works...that they were good"
    In this passage two of the greatest missionaries of the Book of Mormon, Lehi and Nephi, are taught by their father Helaman about why they were named after the great ancient prophets Lehi and Nephi.  Its quite appropriate that Helaman should make such an explanation, since he too came from a long line of father-son name duos.  Himself being named after his father Helaman, whose dad was Alma the younger who was also named after his father Alma.  In short, this family had a tradition of naming sons after previous spiritual giants to encourage their righteousness.  It seems that in this verse Helaman is answering the age old question "what's in a name?"  For him the answer could be, quite a lot.
    For me this verse hits close to home because both of my names have served as great examples in my life.  First off, my first name Richard comes from my grandfather who has always been a great model of hard work, humor, and honor.  Secondly, since my middle name was Alma, I automatically had a favorite Book of Mormon figure at a young age.  As I grew up, Alma the younger became my "righteous idol".  As I found his rebellion as a youth quite relate-able (though obviously on a lesser scale-I never ran around destroying the Church) I also found his spiritual conversion to help me a lot.  It's for this reason that Alma 36 is my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon.
    This is why I'm very grateful that my parents named me after such great men.  Also, I realize that someday upon naming our own children we can follow Helaman's example so that they always have a reminder of the righteous life of someone else. This final quote helps teach the principle perfectly:

When President George Albert Smith was young, his deceased grandfather George A. Smith appeared to  him in a dream and asked, “I would like to know what you have done with my name.” President Smith responded, “I have never done anything with your name of which you need be ashamed.”