Upcoming lecture on First Vision by Keith Wilson and Katy Sumsion
We are pleased to announce the next lecture in our series in conjunction with the exhibit on the 200th anniversary of the First Vision:
Title: The First Vision: A Comparative Analysis between the Community of Christ and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Keith J. Wilson, Brigham Young University faculty, Religious Education
Katy Pratt Sumsion, Brigham Young University student
Date and Time: Thursday, November 21, 2019 @ 2pm, HBLL Level 1, Alice Louise Reynolds Auditorium
Abstract: Most observers of the beginnings of Mormonism view the First Vision which young Joseph Smith received in 1820 as the wellspring of this religious movement. However, up until the death of Joseph Smith, this event was seldom mentioned as the impetus for the Restoration. Historians have shown that it was not until the late 19th Century before the Vision became institutionalized in the LDS and the RLDS churches. Since then the Vision has at times dominated the narrative in both major branches of the Restoration. But in more recent times the trajectory has tapered off for the LDS and has bottomed out for the RLDS/Community of Christ. This presentation will chronical the path of the First Vision in both the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the RLDS/Community of Christ and discuss the implications of these trajectories.
Come join us next Thursday for what will surely be an educational and inspirational opportunity to learn more about the tradition of this seminal event in Church history!