Joseph Smith

Founder of Mormonism

Joseph Smith was responsible for restoring the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth.  He was the first prophet and seer and reorganized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the earth in 1850.  He was born in 1805 to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith.  He grew up with a strong Christian influence in his home, and was always encouraged to pray, read the Bible, and have faith God.  When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, he struggled to know which Christian church he should join.  His parents told him to pray about the decision.  He went into a grove of trees not far from his home in Palmyra, New York, and asked the Lord which of the denominations had the full truth.  God and Jesus Christ appeared to him, telling him that he was to join none of the churches and instead restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth.  His entire life would be spent accomplishing this, and eventually he would sacrifice his life for the church.

Joseph Smith was visited numerous times by the Angel Moroni, who instructed him and led him to the Gold Plates, which he would translate.  With the help of Emma Hale Smith, his wife, and Martin Harris, his friend, he would translate the entire Book of Mormon through the power of the Holy Ghost.  This is an amazing accomplishment, considering the fact that he was quite young and uneducated.

Joseph Smith is responsible for translating other ancient scripture.  He translated large parts of the Peal of Great Price, The Old Testament, The New Testament, and the Doctrine and Covenants.  Some wonder how an uneducated, 14-year-old boy was able to translate these books.  Joseph Smith was divinely given the gift of tongues to do this work.  To help him, the Angel Moroni gave him two seer stones, known as the Urrim and Thummim, to help him translate these works.   Because of Joseph Smith, ancient scripture is available to millions of Mormon believers.

In 1827, Joseph Smith married Emma Hale.  She was a statuesque woman, tall and slender with brown hair and blue eyes.  Emma Hale was a supportive wife to Joseph, and had a firm testimony in the work he was called to do.  She was strong-willed and hard working.  She, like her husband, dedicated her life to the church.  She held many positions of authority in the church.  She was the first president of the church’s women’s organization, the Relief Society.  She took diction from her husband many times in helping to translate the Book of Mormon.  She endured much trial throughout her lifetime.  Joseph Smith faced a tremendous amount of persecution throughout his lifetime.  Although the followers of Joseph Smith thought well of him, there were many who saw Joseph as a threat and wanted his life.  He was hated by many.  Threats were also made on Emma’s life and the lives of his children.  His and Emma’s faith was constantly being tried.  The family moved many times, running from mobsters, trying to find a safe haven for Mormons to live in peace.  They moved from New York to Ohio to Missouri to Nauvoo.  There, Smith held a number of leadership roles outside the church as well.  He was elected mayor in 1842.  He later ran for president of the United States two years later.  His resume within the church and outside of the church are extensive.

A testimony of Joseph Smith is at the core of a Mormon believer.  His life is fascinating.  Joseph Smith possessed bravery, tenacity, great knowledge, the ability to community and excellent leadership skills.  Although Joseph Smith was not a businessman, one would be wise to emulate such characteristics in order to succeed in business.