Paul describes his theophany differently at different times as well. Seeing as how the Prophet/Apostle Paul did it I don't fault the Prophet/Apostle Joseph Smith for doing it as well. Joseph Smith's theophany of God and Jesus matches Stephen's in Acts 7:55-56 who saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
What is realy interesting is the Book of Abraham (mormon scripture) refers to Jesus as the "angel of the Lord's presence" at one point. Which was a way to refer to him in early post apostlic Christianity as well. It's too bad many modern Christian's no longer refer to him by that name even thought their Fathers did. Joseph Smith restored truths about Christ which had been lost. The mormon (restorationist) claim is really not that different than the protestant (reformationsist) claim that the Catholics (originalists) lost the truth. Who you believe and which way you interpret it is up to you. but I believe in the Theophany of Jospeh Smith just as I believe the theophany of Paul. If you choose not to believe as I do that is fine with me.
And, weshow from the Bible that the LDS Organization, Inc. never HAD the truth.
(Where's Nicholson when you need him?)
First off, Paul's Damascus road experience both in Acts 7 and 22, do not have him confusing Jesus with an angel and is structurally consistent. However, smith's vision is very inconsistent.
Who you believe and which way you interpret it is up to you. but I believe in the Theophany of Jospeh Smith just as I believe the theophany of Paul. If you choose not to believe as I do that is fine with me.
Perhaps you can answer for me which of the three versions released under Smith's authority one is to believe? My sources are D&C; Messenger and Advocate, 1834, vol.1, no.3 and History, 1832, Joseph Smith Letterbook 1, pp.2,3, in the handwriting of Joseph Smith. Again, these are based upon mormon documents of the tale and I have not included the multiple second and third hand passages by your other prophets regarding the event, so perhaps you can answer me.
Was his age at the first visitation: 14, 15 or 17 yrs old?
Was it a)in the woods b) in his bedroom or c) who knows?
Who visited him a)an angel b) Jesus only c) both Jesus and the father?
Fred seemed to be unable/willing to answer them, he wouldn't say.
What is realy interesting is the Book of Abraham (mormon scripture) ....
Is this the same boa that was translated from the papyri that was returned to Slc in 1968 and found to be a common pagan prayer generally known in egyptology as a "book of breathing", whose 20th century translation has nothing to do with Abraham at all? Have you heard about smiths translation of the Kinderhook plates? How about an old Greek Psalter Smith was given to translate? Only a bogus prophet translates bogus plates and documents.