Week 3. "I Had Seen a Vision"

Joseph Smith History 1:1-26. The Joseph Smith History account is the 1838 published version of the First Vision. We will also discuss the other versions to which links can be found below.

Elder Russel M. Nelson on the First Vision accounts: "The most prominent account of the First Vision...was prepared by the Prophet for publication in 1838. At least three other accounts of the vision were also recorded [by Joseph]. These accounts were given under different circumstances to different audiences and for different purposes. Because each account emphasizes a different aspect of the same expereince, some of the detractors of the Church have attempted to point out discrepancies in the several accounts. In the January 1985 Ensign appears a most noteworthy article by Milton V. Backman, Jr., entitled "Joseph Smith's Recitals of the First Vision." You will want to study this and become familiar with each of the recorded accounts of the First Vision so that you will not be disarmed if you hear that more than one account was given." Russel M. Nelson, "At the Heart of the Church", in The Prophet and his Work: Essays from General Authorities on Joseph Smith and the Restoration (Deseret Book 1996): 53.

A great introduction to the different first vision accounts here: Steve Harper "A Seeker's Guide to the Historical accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision." 

You can read Joseph's first person accounts as well as some of the early second-hand accounts with introductions here: Dean Jessee "The Earliest Documented Accounts of Joseph Smith's First Vision" and John Welch & James Allen, "The Appearance of the Father and Son to Joseph Smith in 1820," in Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820-1844 here.

Or straight from the manuscript versions provided by the Joseph Smith Papers (JSP).
1832 (This is the only account in Joseph's hand.)
1838 (This is the manuscript version of the JSH account.)