Joseph Smith

From MormonWikia

Joseph Smith Jr. was the founder and first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon Church. Mormons believe that, inspired by God, he restored the complete and true church that existed when Christ lived on the earth. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from an ancient record engraved on metal plates he found buried in the earth. He also wrote (or dictated) the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of revelations he received about the the establishment of the Church. Other writings, revelations, and translations by Joseph Smith are included in the Pearl of Great Price.

Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith, but do believe that “Joseph Smith has done more for the salvation of mankind than any other man who has ever lived on the earth, save Jesus Christ himself” (Franklin D. Richards, “Opportunities to Serve,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 81). Joseph’s devotion and sacrifice to restore the full gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth continue to inspire Mormons today. Joseph lived a life of poverty, persecution, and difficult, tedious work. He sacrificed his days to translate scripture and bring the commandments of God to the early Latter-day Saints until his martyrdom, his final sacrifice for the Church.

[edit] Video: Joseph Smith's First Vision

[edit] Church Founder

Having Received his First Vision and several other angelic visitations, on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith founded a church named “The Church of Christ,” which later came to be known by it’s modern title, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both titles of the Church were given by God through revelation. While several other denominations call themselves LDS or Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official, true church Joseph Smith founded.

Those who martyred the Prophet Joseph thought that Mormonism would die with him, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lived on and flourished. Today, 189 years after Joseph’s first vision, there are more and more men and women (over 13 million as of 2009) around the world who believe him to be a prophet of God.

[edit] Prophet and Seer

Joseph’s main role as the founder of the Church was to be the Church’s prophet. He was the man who received revelation from God for all of the members of the Church. He also had the power to translate documents in other languages (though he was not educated). He saw many visions, made many prophecies, and produced and translated much of what composes the scripture of the Mormon Church today. His visions did not end with the First Vision or the appearance of the Angel Moroni, but continued as a way for him to understand and reveal the nature of God and God’s plan for his children. Many of his visions are described in the Doctrine and Covenants, which is one of the Mormon Books of scripture.

Many of Joseph’s translations of the Bible are recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, which includes revelations from Moses, and The Book of Abraham, as well as other translations and revelations. Many Christians feel that the heavens have been closed since the death of Christ's original apostles, but Mormons consider the heavens open, and do not think it odd that Joseph Smith and the prophets who have succeeded him have established and led the Church through communication with heaven. Heavenly beings conferred priesthood authority upon Joseph Smith and taught him from time to time.

[edit] Political and Social Icon

Joseph Smith, before his martyrdom at the age of 38, founded cities, directed the building of temples, and led the Church in two quite controversial practices: polygamy and communal living. Polygamy, or the practice of "Mormon"_Polygamy plural marriage, was received by a very reluctant Joseph Smith in a revelation from God, but the practice was discontinued later, also by commandment from God. Some followers of Joseph Smith also consecrated all of their belongings to the Church. In this practice, the Church would receive the deeds for all of a family’s property, then deed property back to the members. In practice, the Church usually deeded people back their own property with few or no changes. This economic system was meant to abase the rich and lift the poor, thus eliminating poverty, but it required that all participants be wholly charitable. There was no room for selfishness or greed. The heavenly law that governed the economy called "the United Order" is called the The Law of Consecration. The United Order rarely succeeded, so it's practice is reserved for the time when Christ returns to rule the earth,

[edit] Fallible Man

Joseph Smith’s detractors have called him everything from a horse thief to a cult leader. Joseph admits that he acted foolishly in his youth, but says that he committed no serious or “malignant” sins. To those who think that Joseph wanted power, wealth, or followers, he certainly didn’t get the first two (see the Life of Joseph Smith). As for followers, the early Mormons believed in God and Jesus Christ. They did not worship Joseph, but they believed, as Mormons do today, that he was a servant and prophet of God who would teach them what God wanted them to hear. While he was not a perfect man, he did relay the perfect will of a perfect God to those who would listen.

[edit] A Brief Video - Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration

For more on Joseph Smith, go to Prophet Joseph Smith.org, and Joseph Smith.com.