Joseph Smith – Founder of the Mormon Church
Joseph Smith, Jr., stands as a pivotal figure in American religious history, remembered as the founder of the Mormon Church, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From humble beginnings in rural Vermont to a tragic death in an Illinois jail, his life was marked by spiritual experiences, the creation of a new religious text, and the leadership of a burgeoning religious movement. By the time of his death at the young age of 38, Joseph Smith had attracted tens of thousands of followers. Today, the church he established continues to thrive, boasting millions of members worldwide.
Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, Joseph Smith was the son of Joseph Smith Sr., a merchant and farmer, and Lucy Mack Smith. The Smith family experienced frequent relocations during Joseph’s formative years, moving ten times. However, a significant portion of his childhood was spent near Palmyra, New York. This region was known as the "burned-over district" due to the intensity and frequency of Protestant religious revivals that swept through the area in the early 19th century. The atmosphere of religious fervor undoubtedly played a role in shaping the young Joseph’s spiritual sensibilities.
At the age of fourteen, Joseph Smith claimed to have experienced a profound spiritual revelation. According to his account, he was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. This vision, often referred to as the "First Vision," is a cornerstone of Latter-day Saint theology. Smith stated that he sought divine guidance to determine which church to join amidst the competing denominations of the time. He was reportedly told that none of the existing churches were true and that he would be instrumental in restoring the true Church of Jesus Christ to the earth.
In 1823, at the age of twenty, Joseph Smith recounted another significant spiritual encounter. He claimed that an angel named Moroni appeared to him and revealed the existence of a collection of engraved golden tablets. These tablets, he said, were buried in a hill near Palmyra. Moroni identified himself as an ancient prophet who had lived on the American continent centuries before. He informed Smith that the tablets contained a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, compiled and abridged by a prophet also named Mormon. Smith was instructed to translate the ancient record into English.
Over the next several years, Joseph Smith worked on translating the golden tablets. With the assistance of scribes, including his wife Emma Hale Smith and Oliver Cowdery, he produced the "Book of Mormon." Published in 1830, the Book of Mormon presents itself as a companion scripture to the Bible, providing additional insights into the gospel of Jesus Christ and the history of ancient America. Latter-day Saints regard the Book of Mormon as divinely inspired and consider it sacred scripture, alongside the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of Smith’s later revelations.
In April 1830, Joseph Smith formally established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fayette, New York. The early members of the church were drawn to Smith’s teachings, the Book of Mormon, and the promise of restoring the true Church of Jesus Christ. The fledgling church quickly attracted converts, and its influence began to spread. However, the growth of the church was not without its challenges.
The early Mormons faced significant opposition and persecution. Their beliefs, particularly their claims of new scripture and divine revelation, were often met with skepticism and hostility from the broader religious community. The church’s headquarters were moved several times in an attempt to find a more welcoming environment. In 1831, the church relocated to Kirtland, Ohio, where they constructed the Kirtland Temple, one of the earliest temples in the Latter-day Saint movement.
However, the Mormons’ stay in Kirtland was short-lived. Rumors of controversial practices, including polygamy, began to circulate, fueling animosity and distrust. In 1837, Smith led his followers to Missouri, hoping to establish a more permanent settlement. However, they encountered similar challenges in Missouri. Tensions escalated between the Mormons and their non-Mormon neighbors, culminating in violent conflicts.
In 1838, Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issued an "Extermination Order," directing that the Mormons be driven from the state or exterminated. Facing imminent danger, Smith surrendered to state authorities to prevent a massacre. He was imprisoned and charged with treason and other offenses. Despite the harsh conditions of his confinement, he continued to lead and guide his followers.
In 1839, the Mormons, having been forced to leave Missouri, sought refuge in Illinois. They established a new city on the banks of the Mississippi River, which they named Nauvoo, meaning "beautiful place." Under Smith’s leadership, Nauvoo flourished, becoming one of the largest cities in Illinois. The Mormons built a magnificent temple in Nauvoo, which served as the center of their religious and social life.
In 1844, Smith announced his candidacy for President of the United States. This decision, combined with the continued rumors and accusations surrounding the practice of polygamy, further inflamed public opinion against him and the Mormons. Tensions reached a boiling point when Smith ordered the destruction of a newspaper in Nauvoo that had published exposés about the Mormon practice of plural marriage.
Smith was arrested and charged with inciting a riot. He and his brother Hyrum were imprisoned in Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1844, a mob of armed men stormed the jail. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were brutally murdered in the attack. Their deaths sent shockwaves through the Mormon community and marked a turning point in the history of the church.
After Smith’s death, leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed to Brigham Young. Young led the majority of the Mormons on a long and arduous journey westward, eventually settling in the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah. There, they established a new community and continued to practice their faith.
Joseph Smith’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is revered by Latter-day Saints as a prophet and a visionary leader who restored the true Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. He is also a controversial figure, criticized for his claims of divine revelation, his involvement in polygamy, and his political ambitions. Regardless of one’s perspective, it is undeniable that Joseph Smith was one of the most influential and innovative figures in American religious history, and his legacy continues to shape the lives of millions of people around the world.
The practice of polygamy, or plural marriage, remains a controversial aspect of Joseph Smith’s life and the early history of the Mormon Church. While the exact details of Smith’s involvement in polygamy are still debated, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has acknowledged that he married multiple women during his lifetime. This practice was a significant factor in the opposition and persecution faced by Smith and the early Mormons. The church officially discontinued the practice of polygamy in 1890.
Following Joseph Smith’s death, his followers were temporarily left without a clear leader. However, the congregation continued to grow, demonstrating the strength of the community Smith had cultivated. By 1845, Nauvoo boasted a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants, and the church membership had swelled to nearly 35,000.
In 1846, under the leadership of Brigham Young, the Mormons embarked on a westward exodus. They initially established Winter Quarters in Nebraska before continuing their journey to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Young envisioned Utah as a sanctuary where the Mormons could freely practice their religion without fear of persecution. The establishment of Salt Lake City marked a new chapter in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solidifying its presence in the American West.