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Which is better documented by contemporary accounts:

1. The First Vision.

2. Joseph Smith's having sexual relations with his wives?

Runtu wrote:Which is better documented by contemporary accounts:

1. The First Vision.

2. Joseph Smith's having sexual relations with his wives?

I haven't read Compton's book, so I'm not sure what accounts there are for #2. But, for #1 there are about 15-20 that I know of (if you count some of the more brief ones [such as the missionary pamphlets or journal entries]) prior to 1844.

Sorry, just an additional thought. One thing about the FV as opposed to the other item is that there would only be one witness to the former (or three, or seven, or... depending on the account ;-) ). Not sure if that does (or doesn’t) have bearing on this.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Runtu wrote:Which is better documented by contemporary accounts:

1. The First Vision.

2. Joseph Smith's having sexual relations with his wives?

I haven't read Compton's book, so I'm not sure what accounts there are for #2. But, for #1 there are about 15-20 that I know of (if you count some of the more brief ones [such as the missionary pamphlets or journal entries]) prior to 1844.

I meant contemporary, meaning within a decade of the event (which would be anywhere from 1820-1830). We have a lot of contemporary evidence for the latter, but I can't think of a single reference to the FV from before 1832. Joseph's family has his "first" vision being the visit of Moroni.

Runtu wrote:I meant contemporary, meaning within a decade of the event (which would be anywhere from 1820-1830). We have a lot of contemporary evidence for the latter, but I can't think of a single reference to the FV from before 1832. Joseph's family has his "first" vision being the visit of Moroni.

Ah, I see. I think the earliest might be one (If I recall correctly) from an 1831 sermon that was recorded by Snow. But, I don't know of anything prior to that.

Out of curiosity, with the women folk question, are there any primary sources (from the women)? I've never looked into the subject at all.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Runtu wrote:I meant contemporary, meaning within a decade of the event (which would be anywhere from 1820-1830). We have a lot of contemporary evidence for the latter, but I can't think of a single reference to the FV from before 1832. Joseph's family has his "first" vision being the visit of Moroni.

Ah, I see. I think the earliest might be one (If I recall correctly) from an 1831 sermon that was recorded by Snow. But, I don't know of anything prior to that.

Out of curiosity, with the women folk question, are there any primary sources (from the women)? I've never looked into the subject at all.

Yep, several affidavits from the women themselves, plus things they wrote and said.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Runtu wrote:I meant contemporary, meaning within a decade of the event (which would be anywhere from 1820-1830). We have a lot of contemporary evidence for the latter, but I can't think of a single reference to the FV from before 1832. Joseph's family has his "first" vision being the visit of Moroni.

Ah, I see. I think the earliest might be one (If I recall correctly) from an 1831 sermon that was recorded by Snow. But, I don't know of anything prior to that.

Out of curiosity, with the women folk question, are there any primary sources (from the women)? I've never looked into the subject at all.

are you serious?

thestyleguy wrote:are you serious?

On occasion, and this would be such an occasion. I also haven't looked much at the Book of Abraham issue. Some things don't necessarily interest me. And as time and money are precious resources, I tend to devote them to issues that I find interesting (but, Compton is on my “wish list”… just need to get Stroumsa and Dever out of the way first).

Believe it or not, I am an idiot when it comes to some aspects of LDS history (I know, the "Doctor" moniker is misleading).