Of God / Of the Devil

How do we respond to other people’s spiritual experiences?

When 14-year-old Joseph Smith shared with a trusted religious leader his experience which we now call the First Vision, he was shocked at the leader’s response:

He treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.

Joseph Smith—History 1:21

Not a lot of nuance there. Certainly no interest in hearing more. This religious leader presumably felt that his authority was being usurped, and so he reacted defensively. Still, as Joseph pointed out, it seems strange that a man of influence felt threatened by a teenager from a humble family. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:22-23.) Surely it would have been more appropriate for him to lovingly teach and correct Joseph if he thought Joseph was confused or misguided, not to lash out in anger. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:28.)

What a contrast three years later, when Joseph had another vision and shared it with his father the following morning.

He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger.

Joseph Smith—History 1:50

How did Joseph’s father know that it was of God? Here are a few thoughts:

• Unlike the religious leader, he was secure enough in his leadership of the family that he didn’t feel threatened by his son’s experience.
• I’m sure he listened carefully to the content of the vision and thought about whether it was in harmony with his understanding of the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• The Spirit of the Lord may have whispered to his mind and heart that what his son was telling him was true.

Another father who was supportive of his own son’s spiritual experiences was Lehi. Even though the Lord had commanded him to abandon their home in Jerusalem and travel with his family in the wilderness (1 Nephi 2:2), it was Nephi who learned that God was leading them to a land of promise (1 Nephi 2:19-20), and it was Nephi who received the commandment to build a ship and sail across the ocean (1 Nephi 17:7-8). It would have been easy for Lehi to be defensive, to feel that his authority was being threatened. Instead, he supported and defended Nephi. When the family arrived in the promised land, he admonished Nephi’s older brothers:

Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left Jerusalem; and who hath been an instrument in the hands of God, in bringing us forth into the land of promise.

2 Nephi 1:24

Today, I will be respectful and appreciative of the spiritual experiences of others. I will listen with an open mind, and I will strive to recognize, with the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord, when something is of God.