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A recent effort to discredit the First Vision is the publication of several accounts of this vision. Some of these accounts, written during Joseph Smith's lifetime, vary in detail. Because of this variance, detractors charge that the vision was a product of Joseph Smith's imagination. How would you answer such a charge?
Well, you must remember that each account understandably differs in some detail because he wrote or explained the First Vision under different circumstances to different audiences, including nonmembers.
The fact that every account that has come to light does not exactly agree in every minute detail does not discredit the essential truth of the First Vision.
Rather than weakening the testimony of Joseph Smith, each account of the First Vision gives credence to his testimony.
Source: Benson, Ezra Taft. Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988. 112.
These 'newly found' documents had been circulated in print for at least four years prior to this statement being made.