Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, whose adherents view him as a prophet. Smith is widely considered to be the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, which includes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Community of Christ, and other denominations. Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont, to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. He was the fourth of eleven children. Smith's family was of modest means, and his father worked as a farmer and a merchant. Smith was raised in a religious environment, and his family was involved in the Presbyterian Church. At the age of 14, Smith had a religious experience that he described as a visitation from God the Father and Jesus Christ. This experience, along with other visions, led Smith to believe that he had been called to restore the true church of Jesus Christ. In 1827, Smith founded the Church of Christ, which later became the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Smith was the church's first president and prophet. He was also responsible for translating the Book of Mormon, which he claimed was a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Smith was killed by a mob in 1844 while in jail awaiting trial for treason. He was succeeded as president of the church by Brigham Young. Smith's legacy continues to be felt in the Latter Day Saint movement, and he is revered by millions of Latter-day Saints as a prophet of God.
1 works on Textopian