Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) was the founder and 1st President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith was the first prophet, seer and revelator of the church. Joseph was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont.
Visions
After reading James 1:5, Joseph decided to ask God which church he should join. In the Spring of 1820, Joseph said he saw God and Jesus in a vision.[1] Joseph was visited by an angel named Moroni from 1823 to 1827. Moroni showed Joseph where to find buried gold plates. The plates contained the full gospel of Jesus Christ. These gold plates were translated by Joseph Smith by the inspiration of God and were published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon.[2] On May 15, 1829, the resurrected John the Baptist appeared to Joseph and Oliver Cowdery and gave them the authority to baptize.[3] In 1829 the apostles Peter, James, and John gave them the authority to restore Christ's Church.[4]
Death
Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed by an angry mob in Nauvoo, Illinois on June 27, 1844.[5]
References
- ↑ The First Vision Mormon.org
- ↑ Translation of the Book of MormonMormon.org
- ↑ Authority to baptizeMormon.org
- ↑ Authority of ApostlesMormon.org
- ↑ Martyr for GodJosephSmith.net
External Links
- JosephSmith.net - The official web site on Joseph Smith by the LDS Church.
- "Who was Joseph Smith?" - At Mormon.org