The story of “The First Vision” and the “sealed” portion of the golden plates is a significant part of the history and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Here’s a more detailed look into these aspects:
The First Vision
The First Vision refers to a profound spiritual experience reported by Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church. According to Smith’s account, in the early spring of 1820, he went into a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York, to pray and seek guidance on which church to join. During this prayer, Smith said he experienced a vision in which he was visited by two personages, whom he identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ. In this vision, he was told that all existing churches were wrong and that he should not join any of them. This event is considered the beginning of the restoration of the gospel in LDS belief.
The Golden Plates and the Sealed Portion
The Golden Plates are believed by members of the LDS Church to be the source from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the church. According to Smith, he was directed to these plates by an angel named Moroni, who was a resurrected ancient prophet. The plates were said to be made of gold and inscribed with a form of writing known as “reformed Egyptian.”
The Two-Thirds and the Sealed Portion
The narrative about the golden plates includes the intriguing detail that only a portion of the plates was translated by Joseph Smith. Specifically, Smith translated what he described as the “unsealed” portion of the plates, which constitutes the Book of Mormon. The remainder, often referred to as the “sealed” portion, was not translated and remains a subject of speculation and anticipation within the LDS community.
The Book of Mormon itself mentions this sealed portion. In the book of Ether, one of the last books in the Book of Mormon, it is noted that the sealed portion contains a vision seen by the brother of Jared, one of the ancient prophets, which includes a comprehensive history of the world and profound spiritual truths. Joseph Smith stated that this portion was not to be revealed until a future time when people are spiritually ready for its contents.
The Sealed Portion and Modern Revelation
The concept of the sealed portion of the plates is tied to the broader LDS belief in ongoing revelation. Members of the LDS Church believe that God continues to reveal truth to His prophets and that future revelations could include the translation of the sealed portion of the plates. This expectation reflects a broader anticipation within the church that more knowledge and scripture will be revealed as humanity progresses spiritually.
The Two-Thirds and Its Significance
The reference to “two-thirds” in the context of the golden plates typically means that the unsealed portion, which Joseph Smith translated and published as the Book of Mormon, comprises about one-third of the total content of the plates. The remaining two-thirds are considered the sealed portion. The significance of this division lies in the belief that the sealed portion contains advanced knowledge and revelations, potentially offering deeper insights into the doctrines and history covered in the unsealed portion.
Conclusion
The story of “The First Vision” and the golden plates, including the mysterious sealed portion, is central to the foundation and beliefs of the LDS Church. It underscores the importance of ongoing revelation and the belief that God will reveal additional scripture and knowledge as humanity becomes prepared to receive it. This anticipation of future revelation continues to inspire faith and curiosity among Latter-day Saints, looking forward to a time when the contents of the sealed portion might be unveiled.
Image Courtesy of LAMP, Article: Did the Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon Plates Contain More than Just the Brother of Jared’s Vision? A Theory
