Joseph Smith, Jr.

Joseph Smith, Jr. – Life, Career, and Memorable Sayings

Explore the life, teachings, and legacy of Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805–1844), the American cleric and founder of the the Latter-day Saint movement. Learn about his visions, controversies, contributions, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Joseph Smith, Jr. (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader, prophet, and the founder of the the Latter-day Saint movement, often called Mormonism.

He claimed to have received divine revelations, translated sacred texts, and organized a new Christian church in 1830. In his relatively short life—he died at age 38—he attracted tens of thousands of followers, led communities, faced persecution, and left a lasting religious legacy.

In this article, we trace Joseph Smith’s early life, his prophetic claims and institutional work, his conflicts and martyrdom, his personality and philosophy, notable quotations, lessons from his life, and his enduring influence.

Early Life and Family

Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith.

The Smith family endured financial struggles and moved several times in New England during Joseph’s childhood.

In 1816, following crop failures and economic hardship, the family relocated to the western part of New York, settling near Palmyra (and Manchester) in an area later known for intense religious revivalism during the “Second Great Awakening.”

Joseph received only limited formal schooling.

Spiritual Awakening & Founding of a Movement

The First Vision & Angelic Visitations

When Joseph was 14, he sought guidance about which Christian denomination was correct. In his account, while praying in a grove of trees near his home, he experienced a vision of two “personages” whom he later identified as God the Father and Jesus Christ. This event is often called the First Vision and marks a foundational moment in Latter-day Saint belief.

In 1823, he reported being visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him of buried golden plates inscribed with an ancient record of people on the American continent. He was instructed to recover and translate these plates into English.

Over several years, he said he translated these plates (by the gift and power of God) into what became The Book of Mormon, first published in 1830.

Organization of the Church

On April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith formally organized a church (initially called the Church of Christ) with a group of followers.

He also claimed further revelations which he compiled into what became known as the Doctrine and Covenants, a corpus of canonical texts within the movement.

Smith and his followers established new settlements—first in Kirtland, Ohio, then moving to Missouri, and later Nauvoo, Illinois—often under duress and persecution from local populations.

He engaged not only in spiritual leadership, but also in social and political authority within those communities.

Conflict, Exile & Martyrdom

The rapid growth of the Latter-day Saints, their settlement practices, and the practice of plural marriage (which Joseph Smith is believed to have introduced or sanctionably practiced) generated intense hostility and conflict with non–Latter-day Saint neighbors.

In Missouri, violence and legal pressure forced the Saints to relocate. The state governor even issued an “extermination order” against them in 1838.

Eventually, in 1839, Joseph and his followers fled to Illinois and rebuilt in Nauvoo, where Smith wielded significant civic authority over the town.

By 1844, dissent within the church and external pressures had escalated. A newspaper called Nauvoo Expositor published criticisms of Smith and the church; the Nauvoo city council (which Smith led) ordered the press destroyed, sparking outrage from those opposed.

Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith were arrested and taken to Carthage, Illinois for trial. On June 27, 1844, a mob attacked Carthage Jail. Hyrum was killed immediately; Joseph was shot multiple times, fell from a window, and died shortly thereafter.

His death is often called a martyrdom within Latter-day Saint tradition and precipitated a succession crisis in the movement.

Personality, Philosophy & Style

Joseph Smith combined charismatic leadership with claims of prophetic authority. He often described himself as a translator, prophet, and revelator.

He was known to rely on revelation in guiding both doctrinal teachings and temporal decisions (e.g., where to establish communities, how to organize church government).

He also engaged in political pursuits—at one point declaring his candidacy for President of the United States in 1844.

Smith’s teachings often centered on themes of restoration, authority, covenants, agency (free will), and continuing revelation.

He was also a controversial figure: critics question his claims, the historicity of the plates, his use of folk magic or seer stones, the introduction of plural marriage, and the merging of civic authority with religious authority. (Scholarly debates are widespread.)

Notable Quotes

Here are some attributed quotes that reflect Joseph Smith’s beliefs and style (note: the wording may vary in different sources):

• “Ever keep in exercise the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother on the first intimations of repentance...”

• “Before you can heal the sick, open thy mouth; and before thou asketh God, forgive thyself.” (Variant versions circulated in LDS tradition)

• “If any man doubts, let him ask God.” (Echoing the scriptural injunction in James 1:5, which was an important text in Smith’s spiritual quest)

• “The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.” (Often cited by Latter-day Saints as a summary affirmation)

• “I never told you I was perfect — that is not the character of a prophet.” (A statement often paired with his acknowledgment of human frailty in official records)

• “All human beings are bound to obey, honor, and sustain the law.” (Reflecting his view of religious authority and social order)

Because many of Joseph Smith’s statements exist in recorded historical documents, journals, and sermons, wording can vary slightly by edition and interpretation.

Lessons from Joseph Smith, Jr.

1. The power of narrative and vision. Smith’s foundational claims rested on visionary experiences and translated texts; whether one accepts those literally or not, he effectively built a powerful religious narrative.

2. Institution building is as hard as theology. He balanced establishing religious doctrine with organizing communities, dealing with legal systems, and facing external hostility.

3. Charismatic authority & accountability. His life illustrates how charismatic religious authority can inspire devotion, but also provoke challenge, dissent, and scrutiny.

4. Conflict is almost inevitable when claims of divine authority confront existing social orders. Smith’s tension with secular and non-Mormon neighbors underscores the friction between new religious movements and external powers.

5. Legacy is complex. Today, his followers number in the millions, and multiple denominations trace lineage to his movement—yet his life remains subject to critical historical and theological analyses.

Legacy and Influence

Joseph Smith’s legacy is profound and multifaceted:

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is the largest branch descended from his movement, with global membership in the millions.

• His concept of continuing revelation (that God continues to speak to prophets) remains central to Latter-day Saint identity.

• The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are regarded as canonical scripture in Latter-day Saint theology, and continue to influence Mormon thought, culture, and missionary activity.

• His life and martyrdom have become pivotal symbols in Latter-day Saint memory, often compared to early Christian martyrs.

• He remains a controversial figure in American religious history, studied by scholars of religion, historians, and critics.

• Recent biographies, such as John G. Turner’s Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet, continue to renew interest in reinterpreting Smith’s life in a balanced way.

Conclusion

Joseph Smith, Jr. was a deeply consequential, inspiring, and divisive religious figure in 19th-century America. His bold claims of visions, translation of the Book of Mormon, establishment of a new Christian movement, and leadership in turbulent times have left a mark both on faith communities and the history of American religion.

Whether viewed as a prophet, visionary, founder, or controversial leader, his life raises enduring questions about authority, revelation, community, and the boundaries of religious innovation.