Edward Stevenson — His Countenance Became Heavenly White as Joseph Smith Recounted the First Vision

Edward Stevenson (1820–1897) was a young member of the Pontiac, Michigan branch of the Church when Joseph Smith visited in 1834. What he witnessed that day left such an indelible impression that he recorded it nearly sixty years later, and it stands as one of the most vivid eyewitness descriptions of Joseph Smith teaching the First Vision.

Stevenson was present at a meeting held in the old log schoolhouse when Joseph Smith stood at a table that served as a pulpit and began to recount his heavenly vision. Stevenson wrote:

'The Prophet stood at a table for the pulpit where he began relating his vision and before he got through he was in the midst of the congregation with uplifted hand. I do believe that there was not one person present who was not convicted of the truth of his vision, of an Angel to him. His countenance seemed to me to assume a heavenly whiteness and his voice was so piercing and forcible. For my part it so impressed me as to become indelibly imprinted in my mind.'

Present alongside Joseph were his father Joseph Smith Sr., Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris — a gathering of virtually every founding witness of the Restoration in a remote Michigan schoolhouse. Stevenson further wrote:

'In that same year, 1834, in the midst of many large congregations, the Prophet testified with great power concerning the visit of the Father and the Son, and the conversation he had with them. Never before did I feel such power as was manifested on these occasions.'

Edward Stevenson later became a faithful Church member and missionary, and published his 'Reminiscences of Joseph the Prophet and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon' in 1893. His 5th great-grandnephew is Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who has quoted this account publicly.