Joseph Smith - History 1

After the First Vision, the Prophet Joseph Smith tells us -

"I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned—that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed." (Pearl of Great Price JS-History 1:26)

I believe that was exactly what the prophet did - he waited for further direction. As far as I know, he received no further direction until three years later as he records -

"...on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one." (Pearl of Great Price JS-History 1:29)

What I found significant was that in a very repentant and humble condition, he again approached his Father in Heaven will all the confidence that he would receive direction or at least know where he stood. Nothing is written if he had made this same attempt previously. It seems that we cannot necessarily wait for direction, we must repent and in faith ask for direction. In the Bible dictionary it states -


"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (Bible Dictionary P Prayer:Entry)