Alexander Baugh, visiting Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine from Brigham Young University in Provo addressed students and faculty at a recent devotional. Baugh, a teacher, historian and published author, enlightened listeners about the visionary experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (watch video clip )
He began by reminding listeners of the significance of the mission of Joseph Smith, which was foretold by ancient prophets centuries before Joseph’s birth. He then set to defining the title and mission of a seer, citing the important revelations in section 21 of the Doctrine and Covenants and pointing out that “the first title given to the first elder was that of a seer.” He also pointed to the distinctive roles enumerated in Mosiah 8:19, which reads, “a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have.”
“In actuality, a seer is a see-er,” Baugh explained. “Among other gifts and powers he sees visions, which visions are seen with spiritual eyes. Visions can take various forms: personal visitations or appearances of deity, angels, or even Satan and his emissaries certainly come under the heading of visions. Visions can also include seeing vivid images where the veil is lifted from the individual’s mind and in order to see and comprehend the things of God.”
While some of these visions dealt with God the Father and Jesus Christ directly, many more were visitations from angelic ministers. The greater part of these visions are not documented in the standard works, but are found in the histories of Joseph Smith recorded by the prophet and in writings of associates who may have been present during a vision.
Baugh’s remarks strongly reflected his extensive research on this topic as he provided insight into several remarkable historical accounts of the visions of Joseph Smith. He detailed the various methods and of receiving such visions, as well as the circumstances in which they were received, their content and meaning.
One particularly fascinating aspect of Joseph Smith’s work as a seer is the personal association he developed with the celestial ministers he encountered. Some these celestial messengers were named specifically by John Taylor. They included “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Adam, Seth, Enoch, the apostles that lived on [the American] continent as well as those that lived on the Asiatic continent.”
John Taylor went on to suggest, “He seemed to be familiar with these people as we are with one another.” Lucy Mack Smith, the prophet’s mother, was impressed by Joseph’s thorough knowledge of the ancient American peoples described in the Book of Mormon. He illustrated in detail their appearance, transportation, architecture, religion and culture “as if he had spent his whole life with them.”
Baugh closed his remarks with the assurance that revelations and visions are not reserved exclusively for apostles and prophets. God will bless even the most humble seeker of truth with such visions as they draw closer to Him.
