Joseph Smith the Prophet

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In 1823, 17-year-old Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni, who declared that “[Joseph’s] name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people” (JS—History 1:33). Today nearly 20 million internet references about the Prophet verify Moroni’s prophecy: Some claim that he was a liar, a false teacher, and an apostate. Others honor, defend, and praise him as the modern prophet of their faith, the translator of the Book of Mormon, and a person sent by God to usher in the latter days.

Joseph’s life was short but remarkable. Born in 1805 in Vermont, he moved as a young boy to Palmyra, New York, a place of great religious fervor at the time. This fervor led 14-year-old Joseph to question which of all the churches was true and which church God would have him join. While praying out loud for the first time, he experienced what is now known as the First Vision, when God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to the boy Joseph. They told him that none of the churches on the earth were Their Church and that Joseph would be the one to restore Their gospel in its fulness.

In 1830, 10 years after this divine visit, Joseph Smith formally organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of God the Father. Joseph was martyred in 1844, when he was only 38 years old. Though his life was short, he had a profound impact on Christianity. His translation and publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830 has been a source of debate for centuries, and it has been a great blessing in the lives of millions of people.

Who was Joseph Smith? And why is there still such interest in his life more than 175 years after his death? The answers to these questions can be found below in a vast collection of talks given by professors, philosophers, and prophets discussing the many facets of Joseph’s life and teachings.

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The Prophet Joseph Smith

Preston Nibley DECEMBER 3, 1958

Bronze statue of Joseph Smith, prophet of the LDS restoration.

Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God, endowed with God’s power to set up Christ’s church in the latter days. He was born to a farming family of nine children in Vermont in 1805 and moved to New York in 1817. When he was fourteen Joseph went into the woods to ask God which of the many churches were true. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared, telling Joseph that none had the fulness of the gospel. Afterwards, Joseph learned more about Christ’s true doctrine, translated the Book of Mormon through the gift and power of God, and organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joseph had a confident, friendly personality and didn’t take himself more seriously than circumstances warranted. Parley P. Pratt described Joseph Smith as “possessing a noble boldness, an independence of character. His manner was easy and familiar, his benevolence unbounded as the ocean. Even his most bitter enemies were generally overcome if he could once get their ears” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 1874). Joseph, along with his brother Hyrum, was killed by a mob while being held in Carthage Jail in 1844.

Featured Talks on Joseph Smith

Image of the Prophet Joseph Smith with the gold plates

Neal A. Maxwell March 30, 1986

Image of a woman looking into a small mirror in a dark room.

Gerald R. Williams June 27, 2006

Illustration of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

James A. Cullimore January 4, 1977

Bronze Statue of Joseph Smith's First Vision.

Jack H. Goaslind June 27, 1995

Photograph of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

Preston Nibley December 3, 1958

Throughout his life, Joseph Smith shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught the plan of salvation, which is God’s plan for our return to His presence with our families. Joseph Smith taught that the first step towards returning to God’s presence is to be baptized by someone holding God’s priesthood. Baptism is a step that we can take when we have faith in Jesus Christ and have repented of our sins. Baptism by water, however, is not enough; Joseph Smith also taught that we must also be baptized by the Spirit (2 Nephi 31:13–14). This means we must receive the Holy Ghost. By completing these important steps and regularly repenting, we qualify to return to live in God’s presence for all of eternity.

Featured Talks on the Teachings of Joseph Smith

Joe J. Christensen October 20, 1998

Joseph Smith chastising the guards at Richmond Jail.

David L. Paulsen September 21, 1999

Painting depicting Joseph Smith's First Vision.

Bruce R. McConkie January 4, 1972

Bonnie L. Oscarson December 6, 2016

Sketch of Joseph Smith preaching to a group of Native Americans.

Terryl L. Givens November 29, 2005

August 22-25, 1978

Joseph Smith Lectures

Lecture 1 The First Vision and Its Aftermath

Lecture 2 Joseph’s Personality and Character

Lecture 3 Joseph Smith and Spiritual Gifts

Lecture 4 Joseph Smith and Trials

Lecture 5 Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple

Lecture 6 Joseph Smith as Teacher, Speaker, and Counselor

Lecture 7 Doctrinal Development and the Nauvoo Era

Lecture 8 The Last Months and Martyrdom

An old copy of the Book of Mormon sitting on a printing press, it is another testament of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On September 21, 1823, while Joseph was praying in his bedroom, an angel named Moroni appeared, instructing Joseph to translate a record of the ancient prophets of America. After four years of preparation, Joseph was entrusted to retrieve the record, which was buried under a large stone in Palmyra, New York. To assist in translating, God provided Joseph with two interpreters—the Urim and Thummim and the seer stone. Joseph, having little education, needed a scribe to write down the words which he translated. Using the interpreters, Joseph orated the record to his scribes Emma Smith, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery. The translation was completed in 1829, giving us the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Featured Talks on the Translation of the Book of Mormon

Artist's rendition of the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon manuscripts were translated.

Preston Nibley April 9, 1957

An old copy of The Book of Mormon opened up to the title page.

Tad R. Callister November 1, 2016

Noel B. Reynolds May 27, 1997

The Angel Moroni appearing before a young Joseph Smith.

L. Tom Perry November 2, 2003

A pair of glasses sitting atop an open Book of Mormon.

John W. Welch May 10, 1988

Many critics question Joseph Smith’s authority as a prophet of God. While a true confirmation can only be received through the revelation of a personal witness from the Holy Ghost, Joseph Smith’s activity and vigor for the Church point to his divine calling from God. When Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, Joseph was told that none of the churches on the earth possessed the fullness of Their priesthood. Joseph was commanded to restore the gospel on the earth. From the time that he was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Joseph dedicated his entire life to preaching the gospel to all who would listen. His message was accepted by some and rejected by many. Even though few people believed him, Joseph Smith could not and would not deny the miraculous experience that he had.

Featured Talks on the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith