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Joseph Smith Jr. founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is considered a prophet by his followers. He had a vision at age 14 and later found gold plates containing ancient writings, which he translated into The Book of Mormon. He faced persecution and was murdered in 1844. His gospel has over 12 million followers worldwide.
Joseph Smith Jr. was the founder and first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The son of Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont on December 23, 1805. He is considered a prophet of God by his followers, also known as Mormons, and is known throughout history as an influential and charismatic leader .
Although Joseph Smith had been raised in religion, his family had not become fixated on any particular organized religion. During his youth and adolescence, the New York area was a hotbed of religious discussion and the site of many religious revivals. It was often referred to as the “burnt” district because it was so saturated with religious groups proselytizing for new members. Although he was attracted to the Methodist church, Joseph Smith was somewhat confused about his choices and could not settle for one particular church.
At age 14 in 1820, after much Bible study, Joseph Smith followed up on a particular scripture and decided to pray for an answer to his dilemma. In a grove near his family home, Smith claims to have been visited by God and his son, Jesus Christ. He was ordered to join none of the churches. This visit is called the “First Vision” by followers.
In later years, Latter-day Saints believe that Joseph Smith was visited by angels and messengers of God with further instruction on how to “restore” the original gospel of Christ to the earth. Through these visions and visitations, Joseph Smith is said to have been led to a set of gold plates that contained the ancient writings of former inhabitants of the Americas. These writings contained the testimony of their experience with God and Jesus Christ. In 1827, Joseph Smith undertook the translation of the plates, using “the power of God.” The resulting work, which would become the cornerstone of the Mormon canon of scripture, was published as The Book of Mormon in March 1830.
During this time, Joseph Smith met and married Emma Hale, who supported her husband’s efforts, including serving as a scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon. They had nine children together and adopted two. Only five survived past childhood.
On April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith, along with several followers, founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Smith as its president. Proselytizing began in earnest and the church developed a following. Along with the increase in numbers came growing opposition, and as a result, the rest of Joseph Smith’s days were plagued by persecution. Smith led the Mormons to Kirtland, Ohio, then Independence, Missouri, and finally Nauvoo, Illinois. Under Smith, all of these communities grew into thriving cities and attracted new converts from around the world, until members were driven out by angry mobs, often with the help of government leaders.
Among Joseph Smith’s accomplishments are his contributions to church scripture, sending missionaries throughout the world, and organizing and leading the Nauvoo militia. Detractors criticized and questioned Joseph Smith’s legitimacy and were threatened by the growing strength and wealth of the Latter-day Saint community.
On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, while being held in a prison in Carthage, Illinois on charges of treason, were murdered by an angry mob that had gathered outside. There was little or no government protection offered to the Smiths and their fellow prisoners, and mobs easily gained access. While many do not believe Smith was a legitimate prophet of God, he has had an undeniable impact on modern religion and on the United States. His gospel of Christ “restored” currently has over 12 million followers worldwide.
