Well, if it really happened, I'd at least accurately recall:
#1 The age I was (Depending upon which version you read, Smith handwrote he was "in the 16th year of my age" vs. other versions where he was "about 14" (two mention this)...the first published version by Orson Pratt in 1840 says he was "about 14 or 15")
#2 If a pillar of light appeared to me [a couple of the versions don't mention that]
#3 How many personages appeared to me [three of the versions mention only a single personage...his 1830 version doesn't mention two...his 1832 version only says "The Lord"...his 1835 version talks about a "visitation of angels"]
#4 If he or they identified himself/themselves -- or fail to do so [In Joseph's case -- was there a "father" personage there? Only one of the half-dozen or so versions I checked mentioned that...the official version...how curious is that? And even here, this "father" never identifies himself as God]
#5 If it was more than one, did that one also identify or fail to ID itself/himself? [In Joseph's case -- was there a "son" personage present? Surprisingly a few of Smith's versions actually don't mention a "son" personage as being present...his 1830 version doesn't...his 1835 version doesn't...and a third version mentions a second personage without reference to him being a "son" identifier...In fact, the name "Jesus" is never used...the closest reference is his 1832 version where he says "the Lord"]
#6 And I'd also accurately recall if I asked these beings any question(s) [Smith? Well, the "official" version says he does. But in 4 of the other versions, no, he doesn't ask any questions -- and in a fifth version, an "angel" answers him -- as he doesn't even mention any father-son combo in that version...In fact, this Nov. 9, 1835 journal version of Smith's is his first written copy...in this one, neither personage is id'd ]
The problem is, TheDon, is this you put this Q as a "first-person" Q when the only way we as "jury members" who weren't at the scene-of-the-crime can properly evaluate it is to compare the alleged witness' conflicting statements.
I dare Lds. Get ALL of the First Vision Accounts together & compare them for these six distinct discrepancies mentioned above.
I believe there's also a 7th First Vision version I didn't reference...plus several of the Lds ensuing "prophets" commented on what they recollected hearing directly from Joseph Smith which focus only on angels -- no other personages appearing to him.
That's a great idea! Oh wait, it's already been done. :-)
Even the different accounts of the apostle Paul's first vision in the NT are not harmonized. And all the different accounts given, considering his long missionary service, have been lost to time. Poor Stephen only lived long enough to give one account of his first vision of Jesus Christ and God the Father. Those who didn't believe him killed him on the spot.