Joseph Smith, the founder of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, began his spiritual journey as a confused young man who questioned which church was telling the truth about Jesus and his works. In 1820, 14-year-old Joseph Smith questioned what he was learning from various pastors and priests, and decided that with so much conflicting information, it was impossible to decide what was right and what was wrong.
Joseph Smith decided the best course was to simply ask God what he thought, and listen to what he was told. As he prayed and asked God what was right and wrong, a pillar of light appeared above his head, and when he looked up, he saw God and his Son, Jesus.
When Joseph Smith asked which Church he should join, Jesus told him that he should choose none of them, for all of them were teaching an incorrect doctrine. After having this vision, Joseph understood that his question had been answered, and that now he would have additional questions as to the proper doctrine and how to teach it.
Throughout the following weeks and months, Jesus and God appeared often to Joseph, and each time he learned something new. Finally, the Angel Mormon was sent to Joseph with golden plates, upon which were written the true Church doctrine. Joseph translated the plates and wrote them down into what would become known as the Book of Mormon.
The first Church meeting consisted of only six people. For most of the 1830s, Joseph Smith remained in Ohio and built the Mormon Church. Eventually he moved to Missouri, and then to Illinois. While there, Joseph became the mayor of a small town called Nauvoo, Illinois, and was running for the Presidency of the United States. A newspaper had reported that Joseph Smith was practicing polygamy, and in an effort to stifle opposition, Joseph ordered that the newspaper offices be destroyed. As a result, he was imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois.
During his jail time, he was mobbed by a group of men. Shots were fired, and ultimately, Joseph Smith was killed. Joseph’s brother, Hyrum Smith, was also killed. Since he was next in line to succeed his brother in the Church, the sudden deaths of the leaders threw the Mormon church into disarray.
Ultimately, Brigham Young led many followers to the territory of Utah, where the Church finally settled near Salt Lake City. Other sects broke away from the Church and organized under the same beliefs, but with different leaders. Today, the Mormon Church that settled in Utah has millions of followers and is accepted as the legacy of Joseph Smith.
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