Without Disclosing My True Identity
Joseph did this knowing all the while that only the first key had any application to
man; and that this application had reference only to true messengers, of which there is only
one at any time on the earth. Joseph gave them a revelation that allowed them to believe that
others might be chosen, as they supposed, to receive light and knowledge from their “god”
(Lucifer). What they also did not understand was that (at that time) there were only three
non-mortals (resurrected beings) who had anything to do with this earth and the
administration of all of its needs: the Brother of Jared (Mahonri), our Christ, and the person
who administrated most frequently to Joseph—Moroni.
When Joseph set up a “stumbling block” for the people, he sometimes acted with
subtle humor. He would gently smile at all others claiming visions or administrations.
With this same gentle humor (not meanness) he wrote the portion of the temple
endowment where Lucifer, when asked by a true messenger how his religion was being
received, responded (as he gestured with his arm towards the seated congregation),
“Very well by all of these [LDS/Mormons].”^25
The revelation mentioned above (D&C, section 129) set up the introduction of the
official story about the First Vision. The secret of the “three grand keys,” as outlined in that
precursory revelation, was that only the first applied to real truth. The latter two were
opposite sides of the same “illusion,” so that the people could believe as they pleased, or
suppose that they had been administered to by something other than a “devil [who
appeared] as an angel of light.”^26 Only real humans administer to mortals; and they only
administer directly through their chosen true messenger—a hard lesson which has never
been learned by mankind, or by the LDS/Mormons, in particular. There is only one “grand
key:” if one is not a true messenger, then their “administration” was/is by a “devil as an
angel of light”—in other words, they have been deceived by their own vain imagination.
The only question then was, were the LDS people “worthy” to know this?
Apparently Joseph’s decision was still formulating as he prepared to give his version of
the “First Visitation.”
Drawing a Blank Before Continuing the “Official” History
Joseph was the editor of the Times and Seasons when he decided to publish a so-called
“official” history of the Church. By 1838, he had finished writing what he thought he should
tell the people. Nevertheless, he was careful, as always, in how he presented the “stumbling
blocks” he was mandated to give the people, being continually aware that he could seek
advice from advanced human beings who knew the peoples’ hearts better than he did.
Therefore, when he was preparing to report the history intended for the people, he
published his story up until the actual visitation.
While preparing to write the account for the Times and Seasons, he wanted to revise
what he had written in 1838 to explain that he had ONLY seen Jesus, the Christ, which was
the real truth. (In chapter 15, the experience will be related in detail.) But his mind seemed to
go blank.^27 (This is how a true messenger is affected in performing his role: the moment his
mind goes blank, he’d better rethink what it is he was about to do.^28 ) For this reason, the
March 15, 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons ended its relating of the most important
historical event in LDS Church history with, “To be Continued.”^29
Joseph had to make sure he wasn’t going to reveal something to the people that he
shouldn’t be giving them in their “wicked” state. When he penned the 1838 version, Joseph
first inquired of the advanced beings using the Urim and Thummim. He was told to present