“Based on passages in the Book of Mormon which appear to contain fragments of Joseph’s first vision experience, I suspect that the vision, or at least the claim to a vision, may be traced to 1820-21. I, therefore reject the suggestion that Smith invented the vision in the 1830s. However, his subsequent alterations reflect an evolving theology—particularly the addition of the [Heavenly] Father in his 1838 account—and cautions against an uncritical acceptance of even the 1832 account. In fact, one should be cautious, if for no other reason, because Smith himself freely modified his original account.”

^{Dan Vogel, Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet (Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books, 30 April 2004), 30.}