Joseph Smith's life
"An authentic religious genius"
Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been described by Professor Harold Bloom as "an authentic religious genius."
Joseph Smith ©
He was born into a poor family in 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, USA, the fifth of eleven children.
Because the family was so poor, Joseph received very little education - learning only basic maths and literacy. But he did spend much time in Bible study.
Later the family moved to Palmyra in New York. It was a time of religious revival and the teenage Joseph was not sure which version of Christianity he should follow. He found a Bible text that told him to ask God what to do.
The Vision
Joseph went out into the country and prayed for guidance, and he had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph wrote:
I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.Joseph Smith
Two beings appeared within the light "whose brightness and glory defy all description". One of them spoke his name, pointed to the other, and said,
"This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Christ told Joseph that he should not join any existing church, but should be God's agent to restore the true Church of Christ.
This vision, and its effect on Joseph are a close parallel with the vision of Paul on the Damascus Road.
Joseph went home and told his family. They supported him, although the local churches, not surprisingly, were highly critical.
The Golden Book
Three years later, Smith was visited by the angel Moroni and told that he should unearth and translate a holy book written on plates of gold, which contained the religious writings of the prophets of ancient America. Smith wanted to take the plates immediately but was advised by Moroni not to do so.
Cumorah, where the plates were found ©
Four years later Smith removed the plates, and spent 3 months translating the words engraved on them into the Book of Mormon.
Restoration of the Church
Before Joseph could fulfil the task of restoring the Church it was necessary for him to get the authority to do it. This authority could come only from God.
In 1829 Joseph was visited by John the Baptist. The Baptist laid hands on the heads of Smith and his colleague Oliver Cowdery and gave them the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Soon afterwards, the Apostles James, Peter, and John appeared to Joseph and Oliver and gave them the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
With this priestly authority, Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fayette, New York State on 6 April 1830.
Joseph set about building the restored church, continuing to receive direct guidance from God on how to do it.
During the rest of his short life he translated further scriptures, and wrote down further revelations from God, which form a major part of Church doctrine today.
He also founded the missionary programme of the Church, built several towns and was a candidate for US President.
In 1836 the first Mormon Temple was dedicated at Kirtland in Ohio.
The jail at Carthage in Illinois where Joseph Smith was murdered ©
He suffered much persecution, being jailed over thirty times (although never found guilty), as well as being tarred and feathered.
The persecution eventually led to his death at the age of 38. Joseph and his brother Hyrum were shot on 27 June 1844 by a mob of 150 men while they were jail in Illinois on charges of riot and treason.
During Joseph's life the Church grew from six to 26,000 members.