Source: Joseph Smith – History 1:17
Why I Choose this Quote?
I choose this quote because it is such a key moment in the life of Joseph Smith and in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph was seeking knowledge and enlightenment from God and he got it in overwhelming way–God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and conversed with him. After this event, Joseph knew for himself that when he needed wisdom and direction in life, he could go to the source of all truth and goodness and get it from God.
Additional Thoughts
When I was a boy, I marveled that God knew Joseph’s name and took that as evidence of the truthfulness of the account of Joseph’s First Vision. As an adult, I am tempted to marvel less at God knowing Joseph’s name, but I shouldn’t. Just as God knew Joseph, God knows each one of us by name, and that is a marvelous truth. It is miraculous that God knows us, loves us, will communicate with us, gives us direction, and cares about what happens in our lives.