Joseph Smith, Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joseph Smith |
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| 1st President of the Church of Christ (later the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) | |
| April 6, 1830 – June 27, 1844 | |
| Successor | Disputed; Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith III, and at least four others each claimed succession. |
| End reason | Death |
| 2nd Mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois | |
| In office | |
| May 19, 1842 – June 27, 1844 | |
| Predecessor | John C. Bennett |
| Successor | Chancy Robison |
| Political party | Independent |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Smith Jr. December 23, 1805 Sharon, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | June 27, 1844 (aged 38) Carthage, Illinois, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Gunshot |
| Resting place | Smith Family Cemetery 40°32′26″N 91°23′33″W / 40.54052°N 91.39244°W |
| Spouse(s) | Emma Smith and multiple others (while the exact number of wives is uncertain, Joseph had multiple wives during his adult life) |
| Children | Julia Murdock Smith, Joseph Smith III, Alexander Hale Smith, David Hyrum Smith, others. |
| Parents | Joseph Smith Sr. Lucy Mack Smith |
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Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader. He founded Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time he died fourteen years later, he had tens of thousands of followers. His religion continues to grow today.
Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont. In 1817, his family moved to western New York. This area was known for strong religious revivals. Smith said he had several visions. In one, he saw "two personages" (believed to be God the Father and Jesus Christ). In other visions, an angel showed him where to find golden plates. These plates were said to have a Judeo-Christian history of an ancient American civilization.
Contents
Who Was Joseph Smith?
Early Life and Visions
Joseph Smith Jr. was born on December 23, 1805. His family lived in Sharon, Vermont. When he was young, his family moved to western New York. This area was very religious. Many people were looking for a deeper faith.
Smith said he had special experiences. He saw visions from God. In one vision, he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Later, an angel named Moroni visited him. Moroni told him about ancient golden plates. These plates were buried in a nearby hill.
The Book of Mormon
Smith said the golden plates told a story. It was about ancient people in America. He said he translated these plates into English. In 1830, he published this translation. It is known as the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is a key scripture for Latter Day Saints. It tells about Jesus Christ visiting ancient America. It also describes God's dealings with people there.
Founding a New Church
In 1830, Joseph Smith started a church. He called it the Church of Christ. He believed it was a return to the early Christian church. Members were later called "Latter Day Saints" or "Mormons".
In 1838, the church's name changed. It became the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Smith believed this name came from a revelation.
Moving West and Building Communities
Seeking a New Home
In 1831, Smith and his followers moved west. They wanted to build a special community. They called this place Zion. They first gathered in Kirtland, Ohio. They also set up a place in Independence, Missouri. This was meant to be Zion's "center."
During the 1830s, Smith sent out missionaries. He also published more revelations. He oversaw the building of the Kirtland Temple. This was an important building for the church.
Nauvoo: A Growing City
Problems with a church bank and conflicts with people in Missouri caused them to move again. Smith and his followers started a new city. This city was called Nauvoo, Illinois. Smith became a spiritual and political leader there.
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Challenges and Death
Conflicts and Imprisonment
In 1844, Smith and the Nauvoo city council faced problems. They destroyed a local newspaper. This newspaper had criticized Smith's power. Because of this, Smith was put in jail. He was held in Carthage, Illinois.
Joseph Smith's Death
On June 27, 1844, a mob attacked the jail. Joseph Smith was shot. He died shortly after. Five men were later tried for his murder. However, they were all found not guilty. Smith was buried in Nauvoo. His grave is at the Smith Family Cemetery.
Joseph Smith's Legacy
After his death, many newspapers saw Smith as a religious extremist. But within Mormonism, he was seen as a prophet. He was remembered as someone who died for his faith.
Smith gained thousands of followers before his death. Millions more joined in the years that followed. Mormons see him as a prophet. They compare him to important figures like Moses. In 2015, Smithsonian magazine ranked him highly. They listed him as a top religious figure in American history.
There are many memorials to Joseph Smith. These include the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. There is also a Joseph Smith Building at Brigham Young University. A granite monument marks his birthplace.
Images for kids
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Smith said he received golden plates from the angel Moroni at the Hill Cumorah.
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Emma Hale Smith married Joseph Smith in 1827.
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Cover page of the Book of Mormon, original 1830 edition
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Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple in 1836.
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Smith was held for four months in Liberty jail.
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Depiction of Smith at head of the Nauvoo Legion
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Smith planned the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, which was completed after his death.
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Researchers claim that this daguerreotype by Lucian R. Foster shows Joseph Smith in 1844
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Gravesite of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith, in Nauvoo, Illinois
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An artistic representation of the golden plates with the Urim and Thummim connected to a breastplate, based on descriptions by Smith and others
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According to some accounts, including that of his wife Emma, Smith dictated most of the Book of Mormon by looking into a seer stone placed in a stovepipe hat.
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Smith's later theology described Jesus and God the Father as two distinct physical beings.
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Profile portrait of Smith, by Bathsheba W. Smith, created circa 1843
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Smith para niños
