Opening the Heavens: Accounts of Divine Manifestations, 1820-1844

Opening the Heavens offers a remarkable collection of historical documents related to key events of the Restoration, in which heavenly elements were powerfully evident: the First Vision, the translation of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, the outpouring of keys at the Kirtland Temple, and the mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith passing to Brigham Young. When Joseph Smith sent his now-famous Wentworth letter to the publisher of the Chicago Democrat, he had only one request: "All that I shall ask at his hands is that he publish the account entire; ungarnished, and without misrepresentation." In accord with that request, this book lets these foundational documents speak for themselves. The relevant passages are presented in their entirety and plainness, according to established standards of documentary editing.