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Who was Joseph Smith?

Official Answer

Joseph Smith Jr. was born in 1805 in Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith. He had 10 brothers and sisters. His parents taught him to pray, read the Bible, and to have faith in God. At age 14, as an answer to fervent prayer, Joseph saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in his First Vision. At age 17, Joseph began to receive heavenly messengers who prepared him for his role in the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. He was a prophet, just like Moses, Isaiah and others in biblical times. He was strengthened by God to fulfill His mission much as was Jeremiah who said, “Ah Lord God! Behold I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak” (Jeremiah 1:6-7).

  • pamela scarillo

    yo sé que José Smith fué un profeta del Señor Show more

  • Mike

    Over my lifetime, I have heard countless theories concerning Joseph Smith - his intellect, his integrity, his sanity, everything about him. Some of the stories about him being a prophet sounded convincing... but then, some of the stories of him as a criminal sounded convincing, too. Then I read about Joseph Smith's visitation by the angel Moroni. Moroni told him that his name would be "had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken among all people." Well, that was certainly a true prophecy. So, it seemed, whether Joseph Smith was a prophet or not, tons of accusations and slander would be said against him anyway! That realization made me understand that only God could confirm whether or not Joseph was truly called of him. I got a strong confirmation of that truth. When others tell me that they "know the truth about the Joseph Smith," I always question their sources - it's usually a book or magazine article, possibly even by an esteemed, intellectual person. But I cannot and will not question my source of the real answer. Show more

  • Barb

    Joesph Smith was a young man looking for the right answers to who is Jesus and god and what was there purpose on earth and how did they accomplish there goals. He asked for assistance by prying and believing in his prays enough that God gave him the golden plates to translate and restore the gospel. He then became a great profit restoring the gospel and faith to people. Helping them become one with God. Show more

  • Jordan

    A young man that was choosen to be a modern day prophet by Heavenly Father. Through him the ancient church was reestablished through restored priesthood authority. See Amos 3:7 in the Old Testiment. Show more

  • Riley

    Joseph was the first prophet of our dispensation. He translated the Book of Mormon and spent his entire life in the service of God and his fellow men. Show more

  • Patricia Potts

     Joseph Smith was a prophet. Since I grew up in the church, I took for granted that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It wasn't until I was in my early 40's that I knew for myself. Our family of seven went on vacation to the Eastern United States. We scheduled one day to visit the sacred grove where Joseph saw the Father and Jesus Christ. We each separated to different parts of the grove so we could pray and seek inspiration. I found a small opening between the trees and knelt to pray and ask my Heavenly Father for a witness of Joseph's mission. I waited for some kind of sign or confirmation but nothing came. The only thing that accompanied me were swarms of mosquitos and gnats. Finally I gave up and with a heavy heart started back to the car. The walk along the cement slabs was deserted and nearly the length of a football field with a dip in the middle. As I started down the hill, words came forcefully and clearly to my mind. They were "It is true. It is all true." Light burst into my heavy heart as I received a witness that Joseph truly was a prophet of God and that he saw the Father and Jesus Christ. Of this I testify. Show more

  • Jessica Leigh Bernard

    Joseph Smith, Junior was a Latter Day Saint prophet who was born in Vermont. Show more

  • Tom

    A Prophet Show more

  • Laurie

    Joseph Smith was the first prophet of this dispensation. All keys of the Priesthood were conferred to him by prophets who had held them in other dispensations. Just as the keys were given to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, so they were given to Joseph Smith. He lived his life in service to his God. Show more

  • Mike

    I have enjoyed studying Joseph Smith's life (including the names of his dog, Colonel, and horse, Charlie); I have loved visiting places he lived; and I have come to appreciate this remarkable individual. Born in Vermont in 1805, Joseph moved to upstate New York with his parents and family as a youth. At age 14, he had an amazing experience which would change the course of his life--and of the world. He read James chapter 1, verse 5, in the Bible, and decided to follow the counsel, "if any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God"--young Joseph wanted to know which church to join, which was right--he went to the woods to pray, in the spring of 1820; in answer to his prayer, he saw a pillar of light directly over his head, brighter than the sun, and in the light he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, "whose brightness and glory defy all description." The Father called him by name, and said, "This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!" Joseph had subsequent experiences with heavenly messengers as well, and translated a record which was published as The Book of Mormon. He was called to be a prophet, like Moses and other prophets, and like Peter, Joseph Smith led Christ's Church in modern times, which he was an instrument to re-establish or restore to the earth, under the direction of Jesus Christ, whose Church this is. Other prophets have followed Joseph Smith in leading Christ's Church on the earth, and there is now a living prophet on the earth at this moment. Show more

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