Editing First Vision (section)

===1830s reference to early Christian regeneration===

In June 1830, Smith provided the first clear record of a significant personal religious experience prior to the visit of the [[angel Moroni]].<ref>The account was first published to non-Mormons in 1831. {{Harvtxt|Howe|1831}}.</ref> At that time, Smith and his associate [[Oliver Cowdery]] were establishing the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Christ]], the first [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter Day Saint]] church.  In the "Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ," Smith recounted his early history, noting

<blockquote>"For, after that it truly was manifested unto [Smith] that he had received remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world, but after truly repenting, God visited him by an holy angel ... and gave unto him power, by the means which was before prepared that he should translate a book."<ref>{{Harvtxt|Howe|1831}}.</ref></blockquote>

No further explanation of this "manifestation" is provided. Although the reference was later linked to the First Vision,<ref>{{Harvtxt|Allen|1980|p=45}}; {{Harvtxt|Bushman|2005|pp=39, 112}}.</ref> its original hearers would have understood the manifestation as simply another of many revival experiences in which the subject testified that his sins had been forgiven.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Bushman|2005|p=39}}.</ref>