So how come God appears as a flesh human to Joseph Smith. What makes him so special compared to the 'great' prophets and believers in Bible times? I have a real 'hang up' on this one. Did God appear in human form so Joseph Smith would know who he was although it 'probably' was not God's true form or does it mean that for some reason all the other leaders and prophets in the Bible were fools? I guess part of the reason for this 'hang up' is I once 'died' officially for 3 minutes and I had what is called 'out of body' experience. I saw Jesus but God was covered in a mist and I was told "NO-ONE can see God and live. That is why he is covered as your time has not yet come."

Ever since then I find it hard to believe Joseph Smith saw 'the real thing'. What do you have to say?

The only scriptures that I know of that indicates a man seeing God is Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and Stephen as he was being stoned, "...being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55 - 56) The important key words here are that Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost.

The scriptures make it clear, as you have said that no man can see God and live. We believe that as well. The only way that one could see God and live is to be filled with the Holy Ghost as was Stephen and we believe this is the case with Joseph Smith.

Allow me to explain what I've discovered from the history books. Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet when the doctrine concerning the nature of God among Christian denominations was based upon the Nicene Creed. This creed was formulated at Nice, France 325 AD at the Council of Nice held under the direction of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The creed states that God is a spirit, without body parts or passions, everywhere and nowhere, so large he can fill the universe, so small he can dwell in one's heart. It also states that God, Christ and the Holy Ghost are all one being.

When the gospel was to be restored to the earth, it was very important to establish the truth about the nature of God, that he was not this mysterious 'something' that no human can understand. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

This event is the very crux of our faith. It really gets down to a simple question. Either God and Christ appeared to Joseph or they did not. There is no gray area. The sure knowledge of this event, I believe can only really be obtained by asking God himself of its truth. (See James 1:5)

I pray the Lord will bless you and your family in your time of need and in your search.

--------------------------

[BEV'S NOTE: I wanted to share Joseph Smith's own words regarding his vision.

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, 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!"

Joseph Smith saw a 'pillar of light' that descended upon him, and THEN he was able to see God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I know that in this world, things like this, happening close to our time, may seem fantastic, but I know through prayer, that Joseph did indeed see God our Father and Jesus Christ. I am so happy that our Father is not some mysterious 'entity' as I was taught as a child. He is real. He lives. He loves us all so very much! :-) We were indeed created in His image.]

--------------------------

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


See related multimedia presentations