The slopegraph below shows the ages of Joseph Smith (left) and the girls and women with whom he entered into extramarital relationships, commonly referred to as polygamous marriages. What does this chart illustrate?
The Historical Development of the First Vision
In the time and place Joseph Smith grew up, spiritual experiences were rather common among young men of faith. Marquardt & Walters (1994, pp. 50-53) give a number of examples that bear a striking resemblance to Joseph Smith’s 1832 first vision story: a realization of one’s sins, followed by a period of contemplation and mental anguish, culminating in a personal salvation experience. The latter was often accompanied by the appearance of a bright light, seeing and/or hearing Jesus and/or God, and an intense feeling of peace and joy. Joseph Smith’s first experience, as written down by him in 1832, fits this type (Quinn 1994, p. 3).
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