1 Nephi 1:2-15

The next major part of this chapter involves Lehi's "First Vision." I have always been interested in the similar themes of the first visions that are recorded for some of the major prophets in the scriptures. These happen so often that I might venture to say that all prophets have this vision at the time they are called. What do you think? I believe that there is a distinct change that is wrought upon a man when he receives the mantle and calling of prophet. I noticed it when President Hinckley was called. Is this type of event part of that? Well, here are some examples of this event that are recorded in the scriptures. Some accounts are more or less detailed.

Let's start with Nephi, the son of Lehi. The account of his vision starts in 1 Nephi 11. He sees the same vision of the Tree of Life as his father did (in a later vision), Christ's birth, life, and death, and the commission and ministry of the 12 apostles. It continues in Chapter 12. Nephi sees his posterity in the land of promise (the Americas) and their eventual fate: total destruction. He also sees that the Lamanites will be the ones to inhabit the land. In Chapter 13 he sees the colonizing of America and the restoration of the gospel. He sees that the Bible and the Book of Mormon will go forth among the people. Finally, he sees the last days and the end of the world.

Nephi's description of the typical themes of this vision are pretty good. In essence, he sees Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation in full. There is a lot that this covers. It is also likely that he sees many more of the mysteries of God, but does not write them because God wants us to be righteous enough and have faith enough for them to be revealed to us.

Here are the other accounts that I've found in the scriptures of prophets having visions similar to Lehi's and Nephi's: Brother of Jared (Ether 3:6-28), Abraham (Genesis 12:1-5, 15:1, 17:8, Chapter 22), Moses (selections of text found from Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible), Isaiah (Isaiah 6), and John the Beloved (Book of Revelations).

Friend, do you know of any others? You may post them as comments along with other ideas about this subject. Thanks for stopping by!