Lifespan

Born December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont.

Died June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois, at the hands of a mob.

Ministry

As founder and first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith created communities of Church members in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. He served as the leader of the Church from the day it was organized on April 6, 1830, until he was martyred on June 27, 1844.

Preparation and Calling

At age 14, Joseph Smith sought God for help in finding the “true” organized religion in his area. In answer to that prayer, he saw in vision God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Three years later, he began a tutelage by an angel named Moroni, who would visit and instruct him at regular yearly intervals for the next four years. On September 27, 1827, Joseph Smith was given possession of the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, and his ministry was underway.

Interaction with God

Joseph Smith received open visions and felt the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost. He prophesied, pondered, prayed, and received answers to those prayers. He was familiar with the appearance of angels, and he translated ancient records through the gift of the Spirit. The records of his interactions with Deity provide something of an instructional manual of how one is to talk with God.

Social Situation

In Frontier America, religious reformation was a very active issue. Under heavenly direction, Joseph Smith began a church with remarkable doctrine and vision. As the church grew, local communities became uneasy, even fearful, of the political and spiritual influence being exercised by the “Mormons.” As a result, those communities persecuted and killed Church members, including killing Joseph Smith himself in June, 1844. Under the direction of Brigham Young, Joseph’s successor, the Church moved west to the Great Salt Lake Valley and it surrounding environs.

Key Teachings

Joseph Smith taught clearly of the nature of the Godhead and mankind’s relationship to them. He taught that Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate and distinct beings, united in purpose. Man’s purpose is to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, qualifying through righteous living and the grace of Christ to regain the Father’s presence in the afterlife, where all of His richest blessings can be bestowed on him. Joseph also emphasized the importance of priesthood authority in governing the Church and conducting its ordinances.