Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, the founder and first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was one of the most influential authors in American religious history. Born in 1805, Smith was raised in a family strongly devoted to Protestantism with his parents, Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. Smith’s young life was filled with religious fervor. Thanks to his parents’ careful instruction, Smith’s own theological views began to diverge from his family’s faith.

Smith was deeply affected by a series of religious visits leading up to the age of fourteen. That year he found himself embroiled in a spiritual dilemma amidst numerous Christian denominations. In response, Smith sought out the Lord and received a vision of the heavenly Father and the Son amid a pillar of light. Smith was told to join none of the existing churches but instead help to organize a singular Church of Christ in accordance with the principle of revelation from God.

Though some of Smith’s relatives and acquaintances were initially supportive, there was a great deal of growing antagonism towards his movement as it rapidly gained steam. By 1838, Smith had been “subjected to multiple episodes of intense persecution,” and was ultimately incarcerated in Liberty Jail in Missouri.

But Smith’s persecution ultimately led to increased clarity for his religion and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his release, Smith set out to continue his work in translating the Book of Mormon and founding his Church, ultimately relocating in Nauvoo and recruiting new members. Though succeeded by Brigham Young in 1844, Smith wrote several significant volumes and tracts prior to his death—some of which are still integral to the LDS Church today.

The most renowned volume Smith worked on was the Book of Mormon, first published in 1830 and continuously revised throughout his lifetime. Smith maintained that the Book of Mormon was a divine record, composed of ancient writings revealed to him by angel Moroni. Smith’s work, now known as one of world religion’s sacred texts, was integral to the emergence of Mormonism and, as such, Christianity at large.

In addition to the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith wrote Lectures on Faith—a set of seven lectures discussing the doctrine of Jesus Christ—and the nearly two dozen volumes of Times and Seasons, his periodical. The Doctrine and Covenants, another of Smith’s major works, was a compilation of revelations, many of which Smith claimed to have received through divine means. Smith also wrote the Pearl of Great Price, a collection of distinct books consisting of scripture translations and long-forgotten revelations.

Joseph Smith’s contribution to religious thought and literature is unmeasured. A prolific writer with a host of religious works, Smith has lived on through his writings, with many of his works still used as foundational material in the LDS Church today. By providing Heavenly Father’s direction on earth, Smith’s expansive body of work offers an unrivaled source of insight into contemporary Christianity and its history.