Joseph Smith is an enigmatic character in American history. He was heralded by members of the LDS Church as the man chosen by God to be his "Prophet, Seer and Revelator" in the "latter days", and to restore Christ's church to a world that had fallen away in Apostacy. The leader of a bold new religious experience, but scorned by fellow citizens as a charlatan and imposter, he continues to evoke strong emotions to this day.
The religion he founded claims 10 million adherents in the year 2001. In this context, his life was truly remarkable. He was born into a life of rural farming in Sharon, Vermont and lived there the first several years of his life. His family sought more fertile ground in the Palmyra region of New York state. It was in this area that Joseph began to announce to the world that he had received communications in the forms of a vision of God and Jesus Christ. For the next thirty years of his life, until he was killed by an Illinois mob angry at what "Mormondom" had come to represent, he was a figure of adoration, scorn, and controversy.
Ironically, his death became a martyrdom and propelled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to center stage as an enduring, newly founded religion in the 20th century.
Below, we will review Smith's early years. His initial revelatory experiences. The initial controversies regarding the presentation of the Book of Mormon.
Later topics will include his first marriage to his wife Emma Hale. His ability to lead and inspire. Fateful decisions that lead to his death, including the institution of the most controversial of early Mormon practices, polygamy.
Post-hoc analysis on Smith abounds. Twentieth century detractors such as Fawn Brodie will be highlighted.
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