Joseph Smith Sr.’s Second Vision

I believe the following to be an entheogenic experience that Joseph Smith Sr had with a young Amanita Muscaria mushroom, which he did following his first experience. It proved to further assure his religious pursuits.

I have synthesized this versified version from the earliest extent copies within his wife’s history history, which can be found here:

Lucy Mack Smith, History Manuscript (1844–1845)

Lucy Mack Smith, History Manuscript (1845)

Lucy Mack Smith History, First Edition (1853)


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In 1811, we moved from Royalton, ​Vermont to Lebanon, ​New Hampshire. And shortly after we arrived in the here latter place, my husband had another very singular vision, which is as follows:

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A. “I thought I was traveling in an open desolate field, which appeared to be very barren, and while thus traveling the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing before I went any farther.

B. So I asked myself, ‘What motive can I have in traveling here, and what place can this be?’ My guide who stood by me said, ‘This is the desolate world, but travel on.’

C. The road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel on it. I said to myself, ‘Broad is the road and wide is the gate that leads to death and many there be that walk therein, but narrow is the way and straight is the gate that leads to everlasting Life, and few there be that go in thereat’

D. I traveled a short distance farther, and came to a narrow path, and I entered it.

E. I traveled a short distance farther and beheld a beautiful stream of water which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream, I could see neither the source nor its mouth​.

F. As far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope running along the bank, about as high as a man could reach.

E. Beyond me was a low but very pleasant valley, in which stood a tree, such as I had never seen before: it was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat in the form of an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape, much like a chestnut burr, and as white or whiter than snow.

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A. I gazed upon the fruit with considerable interest. Presently, the burrs or shells began to open, and shed their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness.

B. I drew near and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said in my heart, ‘I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me.’ Accordingly, I went and brought the family which consisted of a wife and seven children.

C. We all commenced eating and praising God for this blessing, and we were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed.

D. While we were engaged in this manner, I beheld a spacious building, standing opposite the valley that we were in, which building appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt, but their contumely we utterly disregarded.

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A. I soon turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit. He told me it was the pure love of God shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him and keep His commandments.

B. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children, but I told him we were all there. ‘No’, he replied, ‘look yonder: you have two more, and you must bring them also.’ So I raised my eyes, and I saw two small children standing some distance off. I immediately went to them and brought them to the tree, and they commenced eating with the rest and we all rejoiced together.

C. The more we eat the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees and scooped it up eating it by double-handfulls.

D. After feasting in this manner for a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building that I saw. He replied, ‘It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof who scorn and despise the saints of God because of their humility.’

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I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy.”