While every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is acquainted with the First Vision, few are familiar with its history. By “history” I mean the role it has played in defining the mission and theology of the church. And like most history, it’s a bit messy.
![](https://thewellexaminedlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Joseph_Smith_first_vision-Stained-glass-depiction-of-the-first-vision-of-Joseph-Smith-completed-in-1913-by-an-unknown-artist-Museum-of-Church-History-and-Art..jpg)