Learning Outcomes:

At the end of class, students will be able to:

1. Describe the religious and cultural context in which Joseph Smith had his First Vision.
2. Compare the various accounts of the First Vision.
3. Summarize the relevance of the First Vision to contemporary Mormon belief and practice.

Vermont, New York, and Religious Liberty

Joseph lived in Vermont until he was about 10. In Vermont, there was no state-established church. Rather, each town could select its own minister, effectively establishing a church. Most towns chose a Congregationalist (or “Puritan”) minister.  [Read more…]