Why would God himself appear to Joseph Smith but not to anyone else in the Bible?

Actually Joseph was not the lst to see God. Scripture clearly shows instances when those who were able to see God had to be transfigured or 'changed' in order to behold His glory. Otherwise we would undoubtedly be "DUST" as it were (lol). But Moses saw God, and the Brother of Jared saw 'the finger of God".

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2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.

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20 And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory.

Ex. 3: 4

4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

We believe that Joseph was foreordained for this task - and the needed prophecied 'restoration of all things" foretold in the Bible was to come about due to the humble prayers and search for truth, of a young Joseph.

This was truly a circular event and noteworthy that Joseph only saw the Father once. Thereafter His Son, Jesus Christ appeared, or an important key prophetic figure or angelic messenger visited him after the lst vision. TO me this just emphasizes the IMPORTANCE of that lst vision. That God, the Father accompanied by His Son would show themselves to the boy Joseph, announcing their identities, calling him by name and bringing about the restoration of all things in this the last dispensation of times... I think (we think) that is extremely relevant and key to our theology.

Clearly the Father has not done this in many times past. He is GOD, He stands supreme .... His Son is our advocate to Him in all things. His Son is our mediator to the Father and acts in God's behalf in all things. Clearly there was divine reasoning for Him to appear at this time for this event. Certainly we think so anyway! ; ) It is relevant to us particularly because it set some of our key doctrine in motion - it discounted previous notions regarding the nature of the Godhead, the falicy of the "trinity" and the physical reality and seperateness of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Those are core and differentiating doctrines in the LDS Faith. They are core to my personal conversion from catholicism.

Very sad to see how many critters came out of the walls to so rudely respond to your question huh? Very very pathetic if you ask me!!! shame on you people that were so sadly not able to just 'get a grip' and let people who care answer!!! OMGosh! : (

1) Why would God himself appear to Joseph Smith but not to anyone else in the Bible?

There's two things wrong with this question

a) Joseph Smith does not appear in the bible

b) God did appear to people in the bible - but never to Joseph Smith

2) I'm curious because I did a study that implied that God always appeared through an angel, or as Jesus manifesting himself as a human.

I don't believe that is true. Notice, for example, on Mt Sinai and in Ezekiel and in Revelation - in all of these, God appears (in vision) to the author. Also, Scripture suggest that Moses saw the "hind part" of God physically - not in a vision.

I was unaware that Mormons believed that Joseph Smith saw God personally, not in a vision.

Jim, http://www.christianwebprogramming.com/br/

God offers with guy-sort instantly, one-on-one and individual, via The Holy Spirit that's side of God... and via The Teaching of Jesus The Christ his Son... earlier to Christ's time in this earth God communicated via quite a lot of way and via many Prophets who got God's Word instantly and handed it on.... seeing that The Commissioning of The Church there are not Prophets as of ancient... The Word was once/is whole in Christ Jesus.

Maybe you should read your Bible again

Gen. 32: 30

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Ex. 33: 11

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Deut. 34: 10

10 ¶ And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

Ex. 24: 10 they saw the God of Israel.

Num. 12: 5Lord . . . stood in the door of the tabernacle.

Gen. 5: 24 Enoch walked with God.

Joseph was a prophet and saw God just like the men mentioned in these Bible verses.

phrog's answer gives you many verses that I didn't even find. Theres probably even more verses that talk about God appearing to man.

@ Mel several people saw the gold plates without the blanket covering it. Their testimonies can be found here.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/thrwtnss

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/eghtwtns

You need to get back in that Bible a little more and study. Moses stood on holy ground and Yahweh appeared to Him in the burning bush. However, there is another verse when Moses is on Mr. Sinai and God shows Moses the back of Him. Also the "Angel of the Lord" as shown to Abraham, Lot, and the Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednigo is considered by many theologians to be a pre-incarnate glimpse of Christ.

there are only 3 (i think) accounts of God the Father appearing to people on this earth. Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove is one of them. Adam and Eve is another... I can't remember the other one. Usually he just sends his messengers (angles) or sends Jesus because he is kind of in charge of the redeeming of all of us from our sins. Father only comes down to earth for the REALLY big stuff. It doesn't really matter, the message is still from Father, it is just not coming directly from his mouth.

Well, Joseph claims to have been "transformed" in a sense so he could withstand the presence of god. Mormons believe he saw god because it was the only way the church could be "restored" in the latter days. They claim all the keys of the priesthood had been lost during the dark ages and the only way to get them back was through complete restoration by visitations from those with the authority.

IMHO it's one of the best farces to date with over 12 million people falling for it.

The only thing I can tell you is that, according to scripture, there were to be no more profits and at the end of Revelations is says that nothing is to be added or taken away. So, how can a Christian based religion say that there has been a "new" revelation and a whole new book, The Book of Mormon,when the bible told us that would not happen.

I respect the Mormon people for their faith is strong and a wonderful example, they are just being fed the wrong info!

The BIBLE says that "NO man has seen God at any time." I do not think for one second that he would make an exception for Joseph Smith. It must not have been very impressive to him, because later, after he claimed to have seen God, he was AGAIN, asking God for proof of what he should believe. I should think that one instance of God appearing and instructing him should have been enough. It would have been for me.

You form a new religion or variance of the same religion when you can't do what you wanted to do. Look at the protestants and Joseph Smith is no different.