Without Disclosing My True Identity
LUCIFER: I hear you. What is it you want? (SNS, 86–7.)(^23) BOM, Alma 12:11.
(^24) “The ‘conversion’ of Joseph Smith took place near Palmyra, New York, in 1820—in a region
infested by fanatic sects and at a period marked by excessive revivalism. ...That Joseph Smith in all
his activities as ‘Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,’ occultist, exorcist, and faith-healer, was the real master
of Mormondom is borne out by a number of accounts of him in the height of his power.” (James
Hastings, The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Part 21, ed. John A. Selbie (Whitefish: Kessinger,
2003) 85–6. (Entry is titled “Saints, Latter-Day,” by I. Woodbridge Riley, reprint of 1908.)
(^25) “During this religious excitement Smith prayed to know ‘if a Supreme being did exist, to
have an assurance that he was accepted of him.’ His prayer was answered on Sept. 21, 1823, when a
‘messenger’ appeared to him in his bedroom ‘to deliver a special message, and to witness to him that
his sins were forgiven, and that his prayers were heard;...’ There was no mention in Cowdery’s
history of a vision prior to the angel coming to Smith’s bedroom.” (Sandra Tanner, “Evolution of the
First Vision and Teaching on God in Early Mormonism,” Utah Lighthouse Ministry, 1998, Utah
Lighthouse™ Ministry, 11 Apr. 2011 http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/firstvision.htm.)