Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844) was an American religious and political leader.

He founded the Latter Day Saint movement, which is often called Mormonism. By the time of his death, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers. Today, his religious movement includes millions of global adherents. The largest group is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Many followers regard him as a prophet, comparable to biblical figures like Moses and Elijah.

Smith's early life was marked by significant economic and personal hardship. He was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont.

After a series of crop failures in 1816, his family moved to Western New York. The family faced financial struggles and worked various odd jobs. Smith's childhood included a painful leg bone infection that required surgery. He used crutches for three years and walked with a slight limp for the rest of his life. His family also experienced the death of his brother, Alvin, in 1823 due to medical error involving mercury salts.

During his youth, Smith reported experiencing several visions and supernatural encounters. In 1820, he reported seeing "two personages" whom he identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ.

In 1823, he stated that an angel visited him. This angel directed him to a set of buried golden plates.

Smith described these plates as containing a Judeo-Christian history of an ancient American civilization. He later claimed to have translated these plates into English using a seer stone.

In 1830, at the age of 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon.

That same year, he organized the Church of Christ. He described this organization as a restoration of the early Christian Church. Smith and his followers sought to build a communal society known as Zion. They initially gathered in Kirtland, Ohio, and established an outpost in Independence, Missouri.

During the 1830s, Smith supervised the construction of the Kirtland Temple.

As the movement grew, it faced intense social and legal opposition. In Ohio, the church-sponsored Kirtland Safety Society bank collapsed. In Missouri, violent skirmishes with non-Mormon residents escalated into a state-ordered expulsion.

Smith and his followers eventually moved to Illinois. There, they established the city of Nauvoo. During his time as mayor, Nauvoo became the second-largest city in Illinois. Smith also entered the political arena by launching a presidential campaign in 1844.

Conflict in Nauvoo arose from Smith's leadership and certain religious practices. Some of his associates criticized his practice of polygamy. Tension increased when the Nauvoo City Council ordered the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor printing press. This press had published criticisms of Smith's power. Consequently, Smith faced legal challenges and was arrested. He surrendered to Illinois authorities, expecting to receive bail. However, he was also charged with treason for declaring martial law.

Joseph Smith's life ended during a violent attack on a jailhouse. In June 1844, a mob stormed the Carthage Jail.

Smith attempted to defend himself with a smuggled pistol. He was shot and killed during the confrontation.

His death left a profound impact on his followers. Many of his written works were later canonized as scripture by various denominations.

These texts continue to guide millions of people in their understanding of God, family, and religious authority.