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 a fulness of the 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