Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith
RELATED TOPICS	Book of Mormon See also: Joseph Smith Senior, Joseph Smith III, Joseph F Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Joseph Smith (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844) was the principal founder and leader of the Latter Day Saint movement, also known as Mormonism, which includes such denominations as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

According to Smith, he received golden plates from an angel in rural New York State that only he could decipher. These plates were later translated into a third testament, the Book of Mormon, which were published by Smith in 1830. His findings produced skeptics among his contemplatives, especially coupled with his seemingly unholy lifestyle. Followers of Smith were referred to as "Mormons" though they prefer to be referred to as "Latter Day Saints."

Due to the Book of Mormon's contradiction of the Nicene Creed, which defined Christianity, Most Christians do not consider Mormons to be Christian. Smith was also viewed as a conman in his time, even today. This was related to his seemingly power-hungry objectives ranging from taking several married women as his own wives and chasing political influence.

In June 1844, Smith was arrested on charges relating to treason and inciting a riot that led to the destruction of a Newspaper that criticized Smith. At the time, Smith was the mayor in Nauvoo, Illinois, and running for President of the United States. But while awaiting charges, a group of over 100 men broke into the jail on June 27. During the scuffle, Smith's brother Hyrum was shot and killed in front of him. Smith held his dead brother, before firing multiple shots at the attackers, injuring 3 men. Smith desperately attempted to escape out the 2nd story window but was shot and killed by attackers inside and outside the jail and plumped to the ground.

Links

• Wikipedia - Joseph Smith
• Mormonwiki.org - Joseph Smith Junior

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