The Beginnings of The Beginnings of MormonismMormonism

The Life of Joseph Smith, Jr., The Life of Joseph Smith, Jr.,

the founder of Mormonismthe founder of Mormonism

Early YearsEarly Years

Born -- December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Born -- December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Vermont to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack SmithMack Smith

There was a revival in his area when There was a revival in his area when he was around the age of 17 (he later he was around the age of 17 (he later said age 14).said age 14).

He asked in prayer which church to He asked in prayer which church to join and was told in a vision they were join and was told in a vision they were all wrong and he was to join none of all wrong and he was to join none of them.them.

The First VisionThe First Vision

In the earliest accounts of this reported In the earliest accounts of this reported vision, an angel appeared to him.vision, an angel appeared to him.

In 1832 he said it was the Lord who In 1832 he said it was the Lord who appeared to him and forgave his sins.appeared to him and forgave his sins.

By 1838 he said it was two personages, By 1838 he said it was two personages, God the Father and Jesus Christ who God the Father and Jesus Christ who appeared to him. This is the official appeared to him. This is the official version of the Mormon Church.version of the Mormon Church.

Treasure HuntingTreasure Hunting

Smith became a treasure hunter, using a Smith became a treasure hunter, using a looking glass to find buried treasure.looking glass to find buried treasure.

In 1826, court records in Bainbridge, New In 1826, court records in Bainbridge, New York show he was convicted of being a York show he was convicted of being a "disorderly person" and an "impostor." "disorderly person" and an "impostor."

In 1827, he eloped with Emma Hale, In 1827, he eloped with Emma Hale, whom he had met in 1825 on a treasure whom he had met in 1825 on a treasure hunting trip to Harmony, Pennsylvania. hunting trip to Harmony, Pennsylvania.

Emma– The First WifeEmma– The First Wife

Emma was married to Joseph on January 18, Emma was married to Joseph on January 18, 1827, the day after they eloped, in Afton, NY.1827, the day after they eloped, in Afton, NY.

She lived with him until his death in 1844.She lived with him until his death in 1844.

The Golden PlatesThe Golden Plates

Joseph said that in 1823, an angel (first Joseph said that in 1823, an angel (first called Nephi, later Moroni) appeared to called Nephi, later Moroni) appeared to him and told him of golden plates.him and told him of golden plates.

In 1827 he was allowed to discover the In 1827 he was allowed to discover the “golden plates.”“golden plates.”

He kept them in a wooden box and He kept them in a wooden box and “translated” them by looking into his “translated” them by looking into his hat containing a seer’s stone or two hat containing a seer’s stone or two stones, sometimes called the Urim and stones, sometimes called the Urim and Thummim.Thummim.

The Golden Plates (cont.)The Golden Plates (cont.)

The plates were said to make a book The plates were said to make a book 6” x 7” by 8” tall. Such a book of 6” x 7” by 8” tall. Such a book of gold would have weighed over 200 gold would have weighed over 200 pounds.pounds.

Most people were not allowed to see Most people were not allowed to see them. However, they were them. However, they were supposedly seen by 3 witnesses: supposedly seen by 3 witnesses: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris; and by 8 other Martin Harris; and by 8 other witnesses: 4 Whitmers and 3 Smiths.witnesses: 4 Whitmers and 3 Smiths.

The TranslationThe Translation

Smith dictated pages from the golden Smith dictated pages from the golden plates according to what he saw in the plates according to what he saw in the hat first to Emma and then to Martin hat first to Emma and then to Martin Harris, a wealthy farmer.Harris, a wealthy farmer.

Harris took the first 116 pages to his Harris took the first 116 pages to his wife and he hid or destroyed them.wife and he hid or destroyed them.

Smith only summarized the contents of Smith only summarized the contents of the missing 116 pages as he continued.the missing 116 pages as he continued.

The Translation (cont.)The Translation (cont.)

Smith finished “translating” the Smith finished “translating” the Book Book of Mormonof Mormon in 1829, dictating what he in 1829, dictating what he saw to Oliver Cowdery, a saw to Oliver Cowdery, a schoolteacher.schoolteacher.

The The Book of MormonBook of Mormon was first was first published in March 1830, paid for by published in March 1830, paid for by Martin Harris after he mortgaged his Martin Harris after he mortgaged his farm.farm.

The Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon

The The Book of MormonBook of Mormon tells how Jews tells how Jews sailed to the New World to become the sailed to the New World to become the American Indians. American Indians.

After His resurrection, Christ appeared After His resurrection, Christ appeared to these people to establish His church to these people to establish His church in the New World. in the New World.

Ultimately, the bad people, the Ultimately, the bad people, the Lamanites, killed the good people, the Lamanites, killed the good people, the Nephites, and were cursed with a dark Nephites, and were cursed with a dark skin.skin.

The Book of Mormon (cont.)The Book of Mormon (cont.)

The storyline is remarkably similar to The storyline is remarkably similar to View of the HebrewsView of the Hebrews written by Ethan written by Ethan Smith in 1823.Smith in 1823.

It contains numerous similarities to It contains numerous similarities to the King James Version.the King James Version.

Alexander Campbell stated that the Alexander Campbell stated that the Book of MormonBook of Mormon contained every truth contained every truth and almost every error that had been and almost every error that had been taught in New York. It is very taught in New York. It is very Trinitarian.Trinitarian.

The “Church of Christ”The “Church of Christ”

In 1830 in New York Smith and Cowdery In 1830 in New York Smith and Cowdery organized the “Church of Christ,” later organized the “Church of Christ,” later known as the “Church of the Latter Day known as the “Church of the Latter Day Saints” and then as the “Church of Saints” and then as the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.”Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.”

This early name was taken from the This early name was taken from the Book of MormonBook of Mormon, which says that the , which says that the church as bride of Christ should wear church as bride of Christ should wear His name.His name.

Kirtland, OhioKirtland, Ohio

In 1830 Restoration ministers Sydney In 1830 Restoration ministers Sydney Rigdon and Parley Pratt were Rigdon and Parley Pratt were converted in northern Ohio, together converted in northern Ohio, together with hundreds in their churches.with hundreds in their churches.

Smith had a revelation to move to Smith had a revelation to move to Ohio to join these, so he and his Ohio to join these, so he and his followers moved to Kirtland, Ohio.followers moved to Kirtland, Ohio.

A temple was built in Kirtland from A temple was built in Kirtland from 1833 to 1836.1833 to 1836.

Kirtland, Ohio (cont.)Kirtland, Ohio (cont.)

In Kirtland, Smith began his own In Kirtland, Smith began his own translation of the Bible, gave the “word of translation of the Bible, gave the “word of wisdom,” and “translated” the Book of wisdom,” and “translated” the Book of Abraham.Abraham.

There was a mission established at Far There was a mission established at Far West, Missouri.West, Missouri.

Having been denied a charter to operate Having been denied a charter to operate a bank, Smith formed The Kirkland a bank, Smith formed The Kirkland AntiBanking Safety Society, but it failed, AntiBanking Safety Society, but it failed, lossing a lot of money.lossing a lot of money.

Far West, MissouriFar West, Missouri

Smith and Ridgon left Kirtland for the Smith and Ridgon left Kirtland for the mission site in Far West, Missouri.mission site in Far West, Missouri.

The other Mormons soon followed.The other Mormons soon followed. Smith prophesied that Missouri was Smith prophesied that Missouri was

the location of the Garden of Eden, a the location of the Garden of Eden, a temple would be built at temple would be built at Independence, Missouri, and Jesus’ Independence, Missouri, and Jesus’ second coming would be to Missouri.second coming would be to Missouri.

Far West, Missouri (cont.)Far West, Missouri (cont.)

The Mormons were most from the The Mormons were most from the north thus being anti-slavery and north thus being anti-slavery and voted as a block.voted as a block.

This led to violence with the locals This led to violence with the locals and the formation of the Danites, a and the formation of the Danites, a Mormon vigilante group.Mormon vigilante group.

The ensuing “Mormon War” led to the The ensuing “Mormon War” led to the Mormons leaving Missouri for Illinois.Mormons leaving Missouri for Illinois.

Nauvoo, IllinoisNauvoo, Illinois

The Mormons fled to Illinois and built a The Mormons fled to Illinois and built a city on the Mississippi River called city on the Mississippi River called Nauvoo.Nauvoo.

It was in Nauvoo that the practice of It was in Nauvoo that the practice of plural wives (polygamy), which had plural wives (polygamy), which had begun in Kirtland and expanded in Far begun in Kirtland and expanded in Far West, began to be practiced by a West, began to be practiced by a number of people.number of people.

Joseph Smith always denied polygamy, Joseph Smith always denied polygamy, but Fawn Brodie lists 49 wives.but Fawn Brodie lists 49 wives.

Joseph Smith’s 49(?) WivesJoseph Smith’s 49(?) Wives

The first plural wife is listed as The first plural wife is listed as Fannie Alger, a 17-year-old staying at Fannie Alger, a 17-year-old staying at his Kirtland house. She became his Kirtland house. She became pregnant and Emma expelled her.pregnant and Emma expelled her.

Of the next 11 plural wives, 9 were Of the next 11 plural wives, 9 were married to other men at the time of married to other men at the time of their “marriage” to Joseph Smith. their “marriage” to Joseph Smith. These were taken at Far West, MO, These were taken at Far West, MO, and Nauvoo, IL.and Nauvoo, IL.

Nauvoo, Illinois (cont.)Nauvoo, Illinois (cont.)

A temple was begun in Nauvoo.A temple was begun in Nauvoo. Smith became a Mason in Nauvoo and Smith became a Mason in Nauvoo and

modeled many of the temple modeled many of the temple ceremonies after Masonic rituals.ceremonies after Masonic rituals.

It was there he started baptism for the It was there he started baptism for the dead.dead.

At Nauvoo Smith proposed to Jane Law At Nauvoo Smith proposed to Jane Law and incurred the wrath of her and incurred the wrath of her husband.husband.

The Nauvoo ExpositorThe Nauvoo Expositor

William Law was a newspaper William Law was a newspaper man who published the only man who published the only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor issue of the Nauvoo Expositor directed against Joseph Smith.directed against Joseph Smith.

Smith led other Mormons in Smith led other Mormons in destroying the printing press.destroying the printing press.

This led to Smith and his brother This led to Smith and his brother Hyrum being arrested and placed in jail Hyrum being arrested and placed in jail in Carthage.in Carthage.

Joseph Smith’s DeathJoseph Smith’s Death

On the evening of June 27, 1844, the On the evening of June 27, 1844, the men of the Warsaw militia stormed the men of the Warsaw militia stormed the jail.jail.

Hyrum had a one-shot pistol and was Hyrum had a one-shot pistol and was immediately shot.immediately shot.

Joseph emptied his six-shooter, scoring Joseph emptied his six-shooter, scoring 3 hits, and then jumped from the 3 hits, and then jumped from the second story window. He was shot in second story window. He was shot in the window and then again after he fell.the window and then again after he fell.

The Question of SuccessionThe Question of Succession

Upon Joseph Smith’s death, the Upon Joseph Smith’s death, the movement split at least four ways:movement split at least four ways:

Brigham Young led the great majority Brigham Young led the great majority westward to Utah and openly westward to Utah and openly practiced and taught polygamy.practiced and taught polygamy.

Young Joseph Smith III led a group to Young Joseph Smith III led a group to form the Reorganized Church of form the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, later called the Community of Christ .later called the Community of Christ .

Succession (cont.)Succession (cont.)

Sydney Rigdon led a small group to Sydney Rigdon led a small group to Pennsylvania to form the Church of Pennsylvania to form the Church of Christ, later called the Church of Christ, later called the Church of Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion or Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion or Rigdonites. William Bickerton later Rigdonites. William Bickerton later led this group, called The Church of led this group, called The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite). Jesus Christ (Bickertonite).

James Strang led a group to form the James Strang led a group to form the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). Saints (Strangite).