Kyle Beshears on the 1832 "First Vision" Account

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Kyle Beshears to discuss his article: “‘That Sacred Depository’: Biblical Content in Joseph Smith’s 1832 First Vision Account”. The earliest account of “The First Vision”, and written in Joseph Smith’s own handwriting - Kyle takes us through the substantive message of the 1832 account via an analysis of the Biblical citations, allusions, and echoes. Is there more substantive unity between the 1832 and (canonical) 1838 accounts than previously realized, due to the clear difference in style between the two? President of the Seventy Levi Edgar Young had called the 1832 account “strange”; perhaps it actually makes sense within Smith’s context, with an already-developed sense of being an Apostle-Prophet. Dr. Beshears takes us through the findings of the paper, and why they matter. 

Article: “‘That Sacred Depository’: Biblical Content in Joseph Smith’s 1832 First Vision Account” (also see here) 

Kyle Beshear’s website 

Previous interview: here and here 

Also check out: 

• “Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder” 
• “Eunice Ross Kinney: Follower of Two Mormon Prophets, Fierce Defender of Polygamy” 

Check out: Primary Accounts of the First Vision 

Gospel Topics Essay: First Vision Accounts 

Other Resources: 

“Restoration Proclamation” 

“Three Reasons We Teach Others about the First Vision” by Mark Matthews (January 2025) 

“The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith” by President Gordon B. Hinckley 

    - “I Give You My Testimony” by Elder Gordon B. Hinckley 

“The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou Hast Sent” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

Inventing Mormonism by H. Michael Marquardt and Wesley Walters 

• “New Light on Mormon Origins from Palmyra (N.Y.) Revival” by Wesley Walters 

Insider’s View of Mormon Origins by Grant Palmer 

Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph’s Visions by Robert Bowman, Jr. 

“8 Questions Every Latter-day Saint Needs to Answer about the First Vision” by Eric Johnson