17? Yes. This is talking about the visit from Moroni, not the “first vision” that happened when he was around 14.
Well, considering every time J Smith told his first version story (fourteen versions) it was different being(s) who appeared....one two three or was it one.....
No wonder I was confused.
Historical revisionism TP, Smith's earliest known attempt at fabricating a 'vision' story is presented in smith's own handwriting in "History, 1832, Joseph Smith Letterbook 1". In that account -
Smith claims to have determined HIMSELF all other religons were wrong.
He stated 'god' visited him "in his 16th year" (15 yrs old).
And when 17 some angel tells him about the plates. However - Smith contradicts himself just two years later, retelling the story in "Messenger and Advocate" in 1834 by saying that:
He desired to know if a Supreme being did exist, and wanted manifestation that his sins were forgiven.
No mention of ANY visitation 3 years earlier.
Now really TP, IF "god" appeared to smith when he was 14 (or 15), WHY would he be inquiring at 17 IF a 'god' exists.
Multiple contradictory stories - why believe the only one that smith DIDN'T WRITE himself?