How about Joseph Smith’s visions experienced with other people?

It is one thing to claim to have seen angels alone, but quite another to claim to have seen angels with others. 

Joseph Smith and others claimed to experience visions together which massively increases the risk of being exposed as a fraud. These visions include: the angel with the Book of Mormon – with Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer, John the Baptist – with Oliver Cowdery, Peter, James and John – with Oliver Cowdery, Jesus at the Kirtland Temple – with Oliver Cowdery, Moses at the Kirtland Temple – with Oliver Cowdery, Elias at the Kirtland Temple – with Oliver Cowdery, Elijah at the Kirtland Temple – with Oliver Cowdery, Adam and Eve – with Oliver Cowdery and Zebedee Coltrin, the vision of the degrees of glory – with Sidney Rigdon, the plans for the Kirtland temple – with Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, John the Beloved – with Oliver Cowdery and others, a heavenly vision of the Savior – with the School of the Prophets, and Jesus – with Zebedee Coltrin and others.

Joseph Fielding McConkie remarks:

Many a pretender to the prophetic office has claimed to entertain angels or to have spoken with God, but who other than Joseph Smith introduced his angels to others? Joseph Smith introduced Moroni to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris (Testimony of the 3 Witnesses). He was never alone when priesthood or keys were restored…. He and Sydney Rigdon received the revelation on the degrees of glory together. Together they saw legions of angels, along with the Father and the Son (see D&C 76:21-23). Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when John the Baptist came to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, and when Peter, James, and John came to restore the Melchizedek Priesthood. Oliver was also with Joseph Smith when Christ came to accept the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, and Moses, Elias, and Elijah restored their keys, powers, and authorities (D&C 110).

– Joseph Fielding McConkie, Sons and Daughters of God: The Loss and Restoration of Our Divine Inheritance (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1994), 194–195. ISBN 0884949362

How do you fool people into thinking they saw a vision with you? Why did none of these witnesses to the visions ever deny their testimony? 

See:

• Daniel Peterson – Joseph Smith’s account of the Restoration is difficult to counter

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