Joseph Smith, Jr. 16255 226109758 2008-07-16T21:27:44Z TrustTruth 404398 /* Revelations and The Book of Mormon */ hitchens is an author before he's a journalist; and he's making an argument here, not stating facts {{redirect|Joseph Smith}} {| style="float: right;" |- | {{LDSInfobox/JS | image= [[Image:Joseph Smith, Jr. portrait owned by Joseph Smith III.jpg|200px]]| }} |- | {{Joseph Smith, Jr.|noimage=true}} |} '''Joseph Smith, Jr.''' ([[December 23]], [[1805]] – [[June 27]], [[1844]]) was the [[United States|American]] [[religion|religious]] figure who founded the [[Latter Day Saint movement]], <!--***NOTE TO EDITORS: Do not change this to read "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many factions besides the LDS Church that follow Smith's teachings. "Latter Day Saint movement" should stand as is.*****-->also known as [[Mormonism]]. Smith's followers declared him to be the first [[end times|latter-day]] [[prophet]], whose mission was to restore the original [[Christianity|Church of Jesus Christ]], believed to have been lost soon after the death of the [[12 Apostles|Apostles]] which caused an [[Great Apostasy|apostasy]]. This [[Restorationism|restoration]] included the establishment of <!--NOTE: "The" capitalized is part of the modern official LDS church name, not the old name*** --> the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]], the priesthood authority, and the publication of the [[Book of Mormon]] and other new scriptures. As a leader of large settlement communities, Smith also was recognized as a political and military leader in the [[American Midwest]]. Adherents to [[religious denomination|denominations]] originating from Joseph Smith's teachings currently number between thirteen and fourteen million. [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] is the largest denomination with reported membership of over 13 million.<ref>http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695242682,00.html. From the article: "Addressing the New Mission Presidents Seminar on June 24, President Hinckley announced that LDS Church membership had reached 13 million. More members continue to reside outside the United States than within, reflecting the global depth and diversity of worldwide membership. The first million-member milestone was reached in 1947, the second in 1963."</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-9,00.html |title=Statistical Report, 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-14 |accessmonthday= |accessdaymonth= |accessyear= |author= |last=Watson |first=F. Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2008 |month=April |format= |work= |publisher=www.lds.org |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=Total Membership: 13,193,999 }}</ref> The second largest is the [[Community of Christ]], formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), with about 250,000 members. Other groups who follow Smith's teachings have membership numbering from dozens to the tens of thousands.<ref>Steven L. Shields, Divergent Paths of the Restoration: A History of the Latter Day Saint Movement, Los Angeles: 1990</ref> == Life == === Early life === {{Main|Early life of Joseph Smith, Jr.}} Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on [[December 23]], [[1805]], in [[Sharon, Vermont]] to [[Joseph Smith, Sr.]] and [[Lucy Mack Smith]]. After his birth, the family moved to western [[New York]], where they continued farming just outside the border of the [[Palmyra (town), New York|town of Palmyra]]. This region was an area of intense [[revivalism]] and religious diversity during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. Although Smith had limited involvement with organized religion during his youth, he studied the Bible, held religious opinions, and was influenced by the common [[folk religion]] of the area.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/5 Joseph Smith—History 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:Joseph Smith Seer Stones Hat.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Joseph Smith translating the ''[[Book of Mormon]]'' using seer stones in his hat, as described by [[David Whitmer]] in ''[[s:An Address to All Believers in Christ/Part First/Chapter I|An Address to All Believers in Christ]]''.{{ifdc|Image:Image_name.ext|log=2008 July 15}}]] To avoid further conflict encountered in [[New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]], Smith moved with his family to [[Kirtland, Ohio]], joining with the converts that joined with Rigdon. The church's headquarters were soon established there and Smith urged the rest of the membership to gather there or to a second outpost of the church in [[Missouri]]. Smith reported that, in 1820 at the age of 14, he experienced a [[theophany]], an appearance of God to man, or a divine disclosure, most commonly referred to by [[Latter Day Saint]]s as the [[First Vision]]. Smith recorded several accounts of the vision later in life.<ref>[[Richard Bushman|Richard L. Bushman]]The earliest version in 1832 had only Jesus not God the Father. ''Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism'' (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1984), pg. 39-40</ref> The version which is most well-known and read was published in 1838.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1 Joseph Smith—History 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Smith was concerned as to the correct church to join, and went to a [[Sacred Grove|grove of trees]] to pray. There he had a vision in which he saw [[God the Father]] and his Son, [[Jesus Christ]], appear to him as two separate, glorious, [[resurrection|resurrected]] beings . They told him that none of the churches established at the time were correct, and that he should join none of them.<ref>Joseph Smith - History 1:15-20 </ref> Soon after, Smith reported his vision to a local minister, who pronounced it "of the devil," because the minister believed "there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and there would never be any more of them". Smith recounted that he was soon the object of much persecution and reviling in his neighborhood, for maintaining that he had seen a vision.<ref>Joseph Smith - History 1:20-25</ref> According to Smith, an 1823 visitation from a resurrected prophet named [[Angel Moroni|Moroni]]<ref>Joseph Smith - History 1:50</ref> led to his finding and unearthing (in 1827) a long-buried book, inscribed on metal plates, which contained a record of God's dealings with the ancient Israelite inhabitants of the Americas. The record, along with other artifacts (including a [[breastplate]] and what Smith referred to as the [[Urim and Thummim]]), was buried in [[Cumorah|a hill]] near his home. On [[September 22]], [[1827]], Smith's record indicates that the angel allowed him (after 4 years of waiting and preparation) to take the plates and other artifacts. Almost immediately thereafter Smith began having difficulties with people trying to discover where the plates were hidden on the Smith farm.<ref>Joseph Smith - History 1:59-60</ref> Smith left the family farm in October of 1825 and was hired by Josiah Stoal, who lived in nearby Chenango county, to search with others for a rumored lost silver mine established in the area by the Spanish. After working for about a month, Smith states that "I prevailed with the old gentleman to cease digging after it. Hence arose the very prevalent story of my having been a money-digger.".<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/56 Joseph Smith—History 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> During this time, Joseph Smith met Emma Hale, whom he married on [[January 18]], [[1827]]. In March 1826, Smith was charged with being a "disorderly person and an impostor" by a court in [[Bainbridge, New York]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=161}}</ref><ref>Morgan, D: "Dale Morgan on Early Mormonism: Correspondence and a New History", Appendix A. Signature Books, 1986.</ref> Details surrounding the case are disputed by some historians such as Bushman.<ref>Bushman, ''supra'' note 5 at 70</ref><ref>Hill, M.S. ''Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties'', Brigham Young University Studies, 12 (Winter 1972), 223-233</ref><ref>Roberts, A. ''Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'', Vol. 1, 211</ref><ref>1. list of writers' citing differing charges against Smith in Bainbridge: Benton (1831): 'a disorderly person'; Cowdery (1835): 'a disorderly person'; Noble (1842): 'under the Vagrant act'; Marshall (1873): 'a disorderly person and an imposter'; Purple (1877): 'a vagrant, without visible means of livelihood'; Tuttle (1882): 'a disorderly person and an imposter'; Judge Neely: 'a misdemeanor'. 2. list of writers' citing differing verdict against Smith in Bainbridge: Benton: 'tried and condemned'...'designedly allowed to escape'; Cowdery: 'honorably acquitted'; Noble: 'was condemned, took leg bail'; Marshall: 'guilty?'; Tuttle: 'guilty?'; Purple: 'discharged'; Constable De Zeng: 'not a trial'.</ref> === Life from 1827 to 1830 === {{Main|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1827 to 1830}} Smith and his wife moved to [[Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania|Harmony, Pennsylvania]], with the monetary and moral support of a wealthy [[Palmyra (town), New York|Palmyra]] neighbor named [[Martin Harris (Latter Day Saints)|Martin Harris]]. In Harmony, Smith reported to a few family members and colleagues including Harris that he had translated some of the [[Reformed Egyptian]] text from the [[Golden plates]]. According to Smith's history, he invited Harris to take a sample of the characters from the plates to a few well-known scholars including [[Charles Anthon]]. Harris returned to report that Anthon initially provided authentication to the translation of the Reformed Egyptian, but tore up his written statement upon hearing the story of how Joseph had obtained them.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/64-65#64 Joseph Smith History]</ref> Harris returned, and acted as Smith's scribe while Smith translated words using Urim and Thummim.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1/62-62 Joseph Smith—History 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In June 1828, after completing the first [[Lost 116 pages|116 pages]] of the record, Smith allowed Harris to take the manuscript to Palmyra to show [[Lucy Harris|Harris' wife]]. Harris returned, long overdue, and informed Smith that the manuscript had been lost or stolen. According to Smith's record "the Lord took the Urim and Thummim and the plates",<ref>''Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'', The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2007, p. 7</ref> stopping the work of translation. Also, Smith's wife Emma gave birth to a [[stillbirth|stillborn]] son, their first child around the same time. Around February 1829, Smith recounts that the plates and the Urim and Thumim were returned to him by God. He resumed translating with Emma as scribe. Translation greatly intensified on [[April 7]], [[1829]], when [[Oliver Cowdery]], a school teacher in Palmyra, NY who had taken an interest in Smith's story while in Palmyra, and then set out for [[Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania|Harmony, PA]] to begin acting as Joseph's scribe. At the beginning of June 1829, Smith and Cowdery moved to [[Fayette, New York]] for the remainder of the translation. The plates' title page indicated the book was to be entitled the [[Book of Mormon]]: An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the Plates of Nephi {{Harv|Smith|1830b|loc=title page}}. Translation was completed around [[July 1]], [[1829]], and the Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra on [[March 26]], [[1830]], with the financial assistance of Martin Harris. Before publication, Joseph showed the ancient record to eleven other men. These men recorded their personal witnesses of seeing an angel show them the record (plates), seeing the record, handling the plates, and hearing the voice of the Lord command them to bear witness of the veracity of the record. These testimonies are included in the title pages of the Book of Mormon as The Testimony of the [[Three Witnesses]], and The Testimony of The [[Eight Witnesses]]. By the time the [[Book of Mormon]] was published, Smith's record indicates that he had received additional revelations and had begun the work of organizing a new Christian church. Smith and Cowdery reported having been visited by [[John the Baptist]], the same as referenced in the New Testament. They stated that they were ordained by John the Baptist to "the Priesthood of Aaron."<ref>Joseph Smith - History 1:68-70</ref> They said that he then commanded them to baptize one another. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery stated that they were later visited by Peter, James, and John, the disciples of Christ found in the New Testament, not long after the appearance of John the Baptist. According to Smith and Cowdery, Peter, James and John came to them in order to restore the Melchizedek priesthood, which they said contained the necessary authority to restore Christ's church.<ref>''Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'', The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2007, p. 7-8</ref> On [[April 6]], [[1830]], a church was formally organized as the ''[[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Christ]]'', and small branches were soon set up in Palmyra, Fayette, and [[Colesville, New York]]. There was strong local opposition to these branches, however, and Smith soon dictated a revelation (D & C 57:1-3) that the church would establish a "City of Zion" in [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] lands near Missouri. In preparation, Smith dispatched missionaries led by [[Oliver Cowdery]] to the area of this new "Zion". On their way, the missionaries converted a group of [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]] adherents in [[Kirtland, Ohio]] led by [[Sidney Rigdon]]. At the end of 1830, Smith dictated a revelation (D & C 37) that the three New York branches should gather in [[Ohio]] pending the results of Oliver Cowdery's mission to Missouri.<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/37 Doctrine and Covenants 37<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> === Life in Kirtland, Ohio === {{Main|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1831 to 1834|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1835 to 1838}} The church had more than doubled in size following the conversion of [[Sidney Rigdon]], a former [[Campbellite]] minister in September 1830. Rigdon led several congregations of Restorationists in [[Ohio]]'s [[Western Reserve]] area, and hundreds of his adherents followed him into Mormonism. Rigdon was soon called to be Smith's spokesman and quickly became one of the early leaders of the Movement. [[Image:Josephsmithtarandfeatherharpers.jpg|thumb|right|Illustration of a mob tarring and feathering Joseph Smith.]] To avoid further conflict encountered in [[New York]] and [[Pennsylvania]], Smith moved with his family to [[Kirtland, Ohio]], joining with the converts that joined with Rigdon. The church's headquarters were soon established there and Smith urged the rest of the membership to gather there or to a second outpost of the church in [[Missouri]]. However, due to the controversy which followed him, he was not to escape persecution for long. In March of 1832, a violent mob came to Smith's house and attacked him. According to recorded accounts of the event, the mob broke down the front door, took Smith's oldest surviving adopted child from his arms {{Harv|McKiernan|1971}}, and dragged Smith from the room.<ref> The historian [[Fawn M. Brodie]] (No Man Knows, 119) speculated that one of [[John Johnson]]'s sons, Eli, meant to punish Joseph by having him castrated for an intimacy with his sister, Nancy Marinda Johnson, but author Bushman states that hypothesis failed. Bushman feels a more probable motivation is recorded by Symonds Ryder, a participant in the event, who felt Smith was plotting to take property from members of the community and a company of citizens violently warned Smith that they would not accept those actions.</ref> The mob beat, tarred and feathered, and attempted to poison Joseph. This time period was prolific in its expansion of Church doctrine and organization; a number of new doctrines and leadership offices were added, based on Smith's teachings. An attempt to establish a communitarian economy based on Smith's "Law of Consecration" was established, but was abandoned after it was realized it was unfeasible. Under Smith's leadership & direction, the church's first [[Temple (Mormonism)|temple]] was constructed in Kirtland. The work of building the [[Kirtland Temple]] was begun in 1833, and was completed by 1836. Around the time of its completion, many extraordinary events were reported: appearances by [[Jesus]], [[Moses]], [[Elijah]], [[Elias]], and numerous [[angel]]s, [[glossolalia|speaking and singing in tongues]], [[prophesy]]ing, and other [[spiritual experience]]s. However, the construction of the temple, in addition to other ventures of Smith's, left him and the Church deeply in debt.<ref>Bushman, pg. 329. By 1837, Smith had run up a debt of over $100,000</ref> To raise money, Smith planned a banking institution, which was called the [[Kirtland Safety Society]]. The State of Ohio denied Smith a charter to legally operate a bank causing Smith to rename the company under the advice of non-Mormon legal counsel as 'The Kirtland AntiBanking Safety Society' and he continued to operate the bank and print notes. The bank became insolvent after 21 days of operation in January and collapsed later that year.<ref> Technically, the bank did not close its doors until November, but by January 23, payment had stopped. Bushman, pg. 330.</ref> During this time, Smith and his associates were accused of illegal and unethical actions.<ref>Chardon, Ohio court records, Vol U, p. 362, Brodie 1971, p. 198</ref> In the wake of this bank failure, many Mormons, including prominent leaders who had backed the venture, became disaffected with Smith.<ref>Bushman, pg. 331</ref> Eventually, lawsuits and indictments against Smith and his banking partners became so severe that, on [[January 12]], [[1838]], Smith and Rigdon left Kirtland by dark of night for the [[Far West, Missouri|Far West]] settlement in [[Caldwell County, Missouri]].{{Fact|date=February 2008}} At the time, there were at least $6,100 in civil suits outstanding against him in [[Chardon, Ohio]] courts, and an arrest warrant had been issued for Smith on a charge of bank fraud.<ref>Brodie 1971, p. 207</ref> Those who continued to support Smith left Kirtland for [[Missouri]] shortly thereafter. === Life in Missouri === {{Main|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1835 to 1838}} [[Independence, Missouri]] was identified as "the center place"<ref>The Doctrine and Covenants, {{sourcetext|source=The Doctrine and Covenants|book=Covenant 57|verse=3}}</ref> and the spot for building a [[temple (Mormonism)|temple]]. Smith first visited Independence in the summer of 1831, and a site was dedicated for the construction of the temple. Soon afterward, Mormon converts—most of them from the [[New England]] area—began immigrating in large numbers to Independence and the surrounding area. The Missouri period was marked by many instances of violent conflict and legal difficulties for Smith and his followers. The Mormons and non-Mormons in Missouri were, in general, fundamentally very different people. Local leaders and residents saw the Latter Day Saint community as a threat to their property and their political control due to the Mormon practice of voting 'en bloc'. The tension was further fueled by the Mormon belief that [[Jackson County, Missouri]], and the surrounding lands would become a "promised land" to the Mormons as they purchased property and built settlements, and that God would give them the land and dissenters would be 'plucked out'. The 'Latter Day Saints' began migrating to Missouri after Smith stated that Missouri would be the future center of the [[New Jerusalem]]. After Mormon leadership left Kirtland in 1838, the Saints from Kirtland followed them to Missouri increasing the church's numbers, which confirmed the fears of the local leaders and residents that the Mormons would dominate Missouri politics. Later in 1838, many non-Mormon residents of Missouri, and the LDS settlers engaged in an ongoing conflict often referred to as the [[Mormon War]]. After several skirmishes, the [[Battle of Crooked River]] (which involved Missouri state militia troops and a group of Latter Day Saints) occurred. There is considerable debate as to whether the Mormons knew their opponents were government officials. Many reports of this battle (some claimed that half of the militia's men had been lost, when in fact they had suffered only one casualty), as well as [[affidavit]]s by ex-Mormons that Mormons were planning to burn both [[Liberty, Missouri|Liberty]] and [[Richmond, Missouri]], made their way to Missouri Governor [[Lilburn Boggs]]. Boggs issued an executive order in response on [[27 October]] [[1838]], known as the "[[Extermination Order]]". It stated that the Mormon community had "made war upon the people of this State" and that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace".<ref>{{cite web | title=Extermination Order | work=LDS FAQ | url=http://ldsfaq.byu.edu/emmain.asp?number=74 | accessmonthday=August 22 | accessyear=2005}}</ref><ref>Boggs, Extermination Order</ref> The Extermination Order was not officially rescinded until 1976 by Missouri Governor [[Christopher S. Bond]]. [[Image:Ccalibertyjailmo.jpg|thumb|left|Painting of Liberty Jail, where Smith was held for several months.]]Soon afterward, the 2,500 troops from the state [[militia]] converged on the Mormon headquarters at [[Far West, Missouri|Far West]]. They raided Far West, ransacked homes, and killed several people. Smith and several other Church leaders were brought into the Missouri Militia by Colonel George M. Hinkle. Hinkle then handed the prisoners over to General Lucas. They were held at [[Liberty Jail]], and spent several months in captivity. They were later transferred to a jail in Columbia, Missouri. The legality of Boggs' "Extermination Order" was debated in the [[legislature]], but its objectives were achieved. Most of the Mormon community in Missouri had either immediately left or been forced out by the spring of 1839. === Life in Nauvoo, Illinois === {{Main|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1838 to 1842|Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1842 to 1844}} After escaping Missouri in 1839, Smith and his followers regrouped. They established a new headquarters in a town on the banks of the [[Mississippi River]], called [[Commerce, Illinois|Commerce]], in [[Hancock County, Illinois|Hancock County]], [[Illinois]], which they renamed [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]]. They were granted a charter by the state of [[Illinois]], and Nauvoo was quickly built up by the faithful, including many new arrivals. The Nauvoo city charter authorized independent municipal courts, the foundation of a university and the establishment of a militia unit known as the "[[Nauvoo Legion]]." These and other institutions gave the Latter Day Saints a considerable degree of autonomy. In October 1839, Smith and others left for [[Washington, D.C.]] to meet with [[Martin Van Buren]], then the [[President of the United States]]. Smith and his delegation sought redress for the alleged persecution and loss of property suffered by the Saints in Missouri.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Smith | first = Joseph Fielding | authorlink = Joseph Fielding Smith | title = Church History and Modern Revelation | volume = 4 | pages = 167–173 | publisher = Deseret | date = 1946-1949 }}</ref> Construction of a [[Nauvoo Temple|new temple in Nauvoo]] began in the autumn of 1840. It was significantly larger and more grandiose than the one left behind in Kirtland, as it was intended for different functions (member endowments and baptisms) than the first temple (which could be used for large gatherings). The cornerstones were laid during a conference on [[April 6]], [[1841]]. Although Smith was instrumental in its completion, it was not finished until more than five years after Smith's death. It was dedicated on [[May 1]], [[1846]], well after Nauvoo citizens had begun abandoning the city for points west (the first significant exodus occurred in February 1846). Approximately four months afterward, Nauvoo had been abandoned by the majority of its citizens under threats of [[mob action]]. [[Image:GeneralJosephSmithAddress-JohnHafen.jpg|thumb|right|200px|General Joseph Smith addressing the [[Nauvoo Legion]] shortly before his death in 1844.]] Joseph Smith broke with short-time church member [[John C. Bennett|Dr. John C. Bennett]] in 1841 over the public scandal that arose when Bennett's [[plural marriage|'spiritual wifery']] conduct became known, and [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] "rocked with tales that connected Joseph with Bennett's scandals."<ref>{{Harvnb|Newell|1994|pp=111}}</ref> Bennett accused Smith of subsequently introducing new [[Code word (figure of speech)|code words]] for [[polygamy]] — '[[celestial marriage]]', [[plural marriage|'plurality of wives']], [[spiritual marriage|'spiritual wifeism']] — to conceal the controversial practice<ref>{{Harvnb|Newell|1994|pp=111–113}}</ref>, which Smith and the leadership of the church publicly denied in statement after statement, endorsed by whole councils of the church. [[Sarah Marinda Bates Pratt#Slander in the Mormon Press|Published allegations of adultery]] against [[Sarah Pratt]] and [[John C. Bennett|Bennett]] appeared in local and church publications<ref>''[[Nauvoo Wasp]]'' 1 [October 15, 1842]: 2</ref> with signed affidavits from her neighbors Stephen and Zeruiah Goddard and others. Dr. Robert D. Foster made the following allegation against Bennett and Pratt: {{cquote|Alas, none but the seduced join the seducer [Dr. Bennett]; those only who have been arraigned before a just tribunal for the same unhallowed conduct can be found to give countenance to any of his black hearted lies, and they, too, detest him for his seduction, these are the ladies to whom he refers his hearers to substantiate his assertions. Mrs. White, Mrs. Pratt, Niemans, Miller, Brotherton, and others. <ref>''Nauvoo Wasp'' 1 [October 15, 1842]: 2</ref> }} Pratt later claimed that Zeruiah Goddard told her these testimonies were made under threat from Joseph's brother [[Hyrum Smith]]: {{cquote|It is not my fault; [[Hyrum Smith]] [Joseph's brother] came to our house, with the affidavits all written out, and forced us to sign them. Joseph and the Church must be saved, said he. We saw that resistance was useless, they would have ruined us; so we signed the papers.<ref>{{Harvnb|Smith|1971}}, {{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986}}</ref>}} The author Richard S. Van Wagoner concluded that the adultery charges against [[Sarah Pratt]] are "highly improbable" and could "be dismissed as slander."<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986}}</ref> In addition to Sarah Pratt, Van Wagoner states that [[Nancy Rigdon]] and Martha Brotherton, "also suffered slanderous attacks because they exposed the Church's private polygamy posture."<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986|pp=76–77}}</ref> [[Orson Pratt]] stood by his wife [[Sarah Pratt|Sarah]] in preference to the denials of Smith, who told his disciple Orson that "If [Orson] did believe his wife and follow her suggestions he would go to hell".<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986|pp=77}}</ref> [[Wilford Woodruff]] stated that "Dr. John Cook Bennett was the ruin of Orson Pratt".<ref>Watson, E.J. (1975) ''The Orson Pratt Journals'', Salt Lake City: 180</ref> Van Wagoner and Walker note that, on August 20, 1842, "after four days of fruitless efforts at reconciliation, the Twelve excommunicated Pratt for 'insubordination' and Sarah for 'adultery'".<ref>Van Wagoner, R.S. & Walker, S.C. (1982) ''A Book of Mormons'', Salt Lake City: Signature Books ISBN 0-941214-06-0, at 212</ref> [[Sidney Rigdon]] wrote a letter to the ''[[Messenger and Advocate]]'' in 1844 condemning the church's Quorum of the Twelve and their alleged connection to polygamy, {{cquote|It is a fact so well known that the Twelve and their adherents have endeavored to carry on this spiritual wife business … and have gone to the most shameful and desperate lengths to keep from the public. First, insulting innocent females, and when they resented the insult, these monsters in human shape would assail their characters by lying, and perjuries, with a multitude of desperate men to help them effect the ruin of those whom they insulted, and all this to enable them to keep these corrupt practices from the world.<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986|pp=83}}</ref> }} On [[March 15]], [[1842]], Smith was initiated as an [[Freemason#Degrees|Entered Apprentice Mason]] at the Nauvoo Lodge. The next day, he was raised to the degree of [[Master Mason]]; the usual month-long wait between degrees was waived by the Illinois Lodge Grandmaster, [[Abraham Jonas]].<ref>[http://www.masonicinfo.com/mormons.htm Mormons<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.signaturebooks.com/excerpts/anointed2.htm Excerpts - Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2005_Latter-day_Saints_and_Freemasonry.html The Message and the Messenger: Latter-day Saints and Freemasonry<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.ftfacts.com/morm.htm Facing the facts about mormonisn<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.mastermason.com/masonicmoroni/Images1.htm The Masonic Moroni- Images- Page One<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Joseph_Smith_Jr_-_Biography/id/1539122 Joseph Smith Jr.: Encyclopedia II - Joseph Smith Jr. - Biography<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Some commentators have noted similarities between portions of [[Joseph Smith, Jr.#Temples|temple ordinance of the endowment]] and the Royal Arch Degree of [[Freemasonry]].<ref>''Mormon America: The Power and the Promise'', [[Richard Ostling]], [[Joan K. Ostling]]. Harper Collins, 1999, p. 188 "Smith was an active Mason when he introduced the endowment ordinance two years before his death, and many scholars have noted the strong resemblance between the Mormon ordinance and Masonic ritual." </ref><ref>''Mormon America: The Power and the Promise'', Richard Ostling, Joan K. Ostling. Harper Collins, 1999, p. 194-5, "Early Mormons were fairly open in recognizing the connection between the endowment ritual and Masonry. Apostle and First Counselor Heber C. Kimball wrote that Smith believed in the 'similarity of preast Hood in Masonary.'<!--spelling here is in the original. Do not correct the spelling of quotations--> Other early church leaders taught that the Masonic ceremony was a corrupted form of temple rituals that had descended directly from the biblical Solomon and were restored to the true, pristine form by the inspired Joseph Smith. ... Joseph Smith became a Mason in March 1842, advancing all the way to Master Mason the next day. This was highly unusual since the normal minimum wait between each of the three degrees is thirty days. In the weeks that followed he observed Masonic ritual degree advancements thirteen times before introducing the endowment ceremony on May 4 and 5, 1842.<br> The essentially British version of Masonry as probably practiced in Nauvoo included such elements as ritual anointing of body parts; a ... drama as a metaphor for a spiritual journey; bestowal of a secret name (as a password into eternity); special garments (in Mormonism, sacred undergarments) when stepping through a veil in glorified ascent to a Celestial Lodge; secret handshakes and tokens; promises to fulfill moral obligations; penalty oaths to protect secrecy; progression through three degrees toward perfection; the use of special temple robes and aprons; and the word ''exalted'' to signify becoming kings in connection with the Royal Arch degree. Masons regard the lodge as a temple. All these elements have strong parallels in Smith's endowment ceremony. In addition, Masonic symbols that have been adapted by Mormons on everything from temples to gravestones to logos include: the beehive, the square and compass, two triangles forming a six-pointed star, the all-seeing eye, sun, moon, and stars, and ritualistic hand grips."</ref><ref>''The Mormon Murders'', Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith, St Martin's Press, 1988. p. 78, "But like many Mormon boys with doubts, Mark was already caught up in the intriguing, Masonic-like initiation rites of the Mormon priesthood, the secret passwords, the secret handshakes, the special garments."</ref><ref>''Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer'', Stanley B. Kimball, p. 85: "Heber thought he saw similarities between Masonic and Mormon ritual." "Heber seems to have felt that both Mormonism and Masonry derived separately from ancient ceremonies connected with Solomon's temple."</ref> (See [[Freemasonry and the Latter Day Saint movement]].) Smith purportedly received the [[1843 polygamy revelation]] on July 12<ref>''[[Doctrine and Covenants]]'', [[s:The Doctrine and Covenants/Section 132|132:1–4, 19, 20, 24, 34, 35, 38, 39, 52, 60–66]]</ref>, although this was not published until 1852 in Utah. Smith taught doctrines which he claimed were practiced in the early Christian church such as [[Baptism for the dead]]. He also introduced other teachings and ordinances such as the [[Endowment (Mormonism)|Endowment]],<ref>Smith did not teach this in public before his death, but did teach it to the [[Quorum of the Twelve]] and the [[Council of Fifty]], who taught it once the temple was completed</ref> and "the principle" of [[plural marriage]]<ref>{{Harvnb|Compton|1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url = http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/home.htm }} The table of references for these ages are listed at {{cite web | title = References for the ages of the Wives of Joseph Smith | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url = http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/References.html }}</ref> neither of which are found in mainstream Christianity. Smith continued to publicly condemn polygamy and in May 1844 referred to those accusing him of practicing it as "perjurers".<ref>''LDS History of the Church'' 6:409–411</ref> In February, 1844, Smith announced his candidacy for [[President of the United States]], with [[Sidney Rigdon]] as his [[Vice President of the United States|vice-presidential]] running mate. He also theorized a quasi-republican political system which he termed [[Theodemocracy]] and organized the [[Council of Fifty]] based upon its principles. [[Image:CarthageJail1885.jpg|thumb|200px|An etching of the Carthage Jail, c. 1885, where Smith was killed in 1844.]] === Nauvoo Expositor and Death === {{main|Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.}} [[Image:JosephSmithGrave.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Grave of Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, and Hyrum Smith.]] Disaffected Mormons in Nauvoo published the ''[[Nauvoo Expositor]]'' newspaper on [[7 June]] [[1844]], which was contained polygamy allegations against Smith, which Smith denied publicly, and his exercise of political power.<ref name="Nauvoo Expositor">{{cite article | title = Nauvoo Expositor | date = 1844-06-07 | author = [[William Law (Latter Day Saints)|William Law]] | work = [[Nauvoo Expositor]] | url = http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs/exposit1.htm | quote = [[William Law (Latter Day Saints)|William Law]] stated, [[Hyrum Smith]] [read] a revelation from God, he said that he was with Joseph when it was received. … The revelation (so called) authorized certain men to have more wives than one at a time. }}</ref> The [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo city council]] and its leader, Nauvoo Mayor [[Joseph Smith, Jr.|Joseph Smith]], voted on 1844-06-10 to declare the paper a public nuisance and ordered the paper's [[printing]] press destroyed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Marquardt|2005}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Marquardt|1999}}, p. 312</ref><ref name="Clark">J.&nbsp;L. Clark writes that Hyrum's statement "appeared in the [[Nauvoo Neighbor|Nauvoo ''Neighbor'']] of June 19, 1844, but was omitted from the History of the Church" ({{Harvnb|Clark|1968}}).</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|La Rue|1919}}</ref><ref name="historyOfLDS-council">{{Harvnb|LDS Church|1912}}. The council met on [[June 8]] and [[June 10]] to discuss the matter.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The Destruction of the "Nauvoo Expositor"—Proceedings of the Nauvoo City Council and Mayor | url=http://byustudies2.byu.edu/hc/6/22.html}}</ref> This action was seen as an illegal violation of [[freedom of the press]]. Violent threats were made against Smith and the Mormon community in Nauvoo. Warrants from outside Nauvoo were brought in against Smith. Smith declared [[martial law]] on [[June 18]], causing Illinois Governor [[Thomas Ford (politician)|Thomas Ford]] to charge Smith and his brother [[Hyrum Smith|Hyrum]] with [[treason]] against the state of Illinois. Smith submitted to incarceration in [[Carthage, Illinois|Carthage]]. Smith's brother, Hyrum, and eight of his associates including [[John Taylor (1808-1887)|John Taylor]] and [[Willard Richards]], accompanied him to the jail.<ref>The six other associates that accompanied them were: [[John P. Greene]], Stephen Markham, [[Dan Jones (Mormon)|Dan Jones]], John S. Fullmer, Dr. Southwick, and Lorenzo D. Wasson[http://byustudies2.byu.edu/hc/6/31.html]</ref> The Governor had promised Smith protection and a fair trial.<ref>http://byustudies2.byu.edu/hc/6/31.html</ref><ref>All of Smith's associates left the jail, except his brother Hyrum, Richards and Taylor.</ref> On [[June 27]], [[1844]], an armed group of about 200 men stormed the jail, and went to Smith's cell. After a brief struggle, the group was able to open fire on Smith and his associates. Hyrum Smith was shot in the face, and died immediately. As the mob burst through the doorway, Joseph Smith (who had earlier been given a six-shooter by a visitor) managed to fire three shots at the mob.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}<!-- note that the main article discusses the controversy regarding the disputed results of these shots--> Richards was unharmed, while Taylor was shot several times, but survived. (One of the bullets may have glanced off the pocket watch in his left breast pocket.<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Witness to the Martyrdom |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=91, 114-115 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Leanord |first=Glen |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=A Place of Peace, a People of Promise |origdate= |origyear=2002 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Deseret Book |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=Taylor, close behind the Prophet, had been using Markham's ‘rascal-beater’ to knock against the muskets and bayonets thrusting into the room. Richards waited behind Taylor, beyond striking distance. Without any way to shoot back, and certain death threatening from the landing, Taylor suddenly dashed toward the east window, intending to jump. A ball from the landing behind him struck Taylor in the left thigh, grazed the bone, and pushed within half an inch of the other side. He collapsed on the wide sill, denting the back of his vest pocket watch. The force shattered the glass cover of the timepiece against his ribs and pushed the internal gear pins against the enamel face, popping out a small segment later mistakenly identified as a bullet hole. }}</ref>) Smith, however, was shot multiple times while trying to jump out an open window. After he fell from the window, he was shot several more times, killing him. He was 38 years of age. Smith and his brother were initially buried below the Smith Homestead in Nauvoo. They were later disinterred in 1928 on the orders of Smith's grandson [[Frederick M. Smith]], then President of the RLDS Church, and reburied along with Smiths' wife [[Emma Smith|Emma]] in a location thought to be safer from Mississippi flooding.<ref>http://farms.byu.edu/publications/bookschapter.php?bookid=&chapid=264 Black, S.E. ''The Tomb of Joseph'', from ''The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrcine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson'', The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for religious Scholarship, Brigham Young University, pp. 61–86</ref><ref>[http://www.cofchrist.org/history/Cemetery.asp Our History - Smith Family Cemetery, Community of Christ]</ref> == Revelations and The Book of Mormon == {{unbalanced}} [[Image:The Book of Mormon- An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cover page of The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi from an original 1830 edition, by [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]]<br><small>Image from the U.S. Library of Congress ''Rare Book and Special Collections Division''.</small>]] {{Main|Golden Plates}} {{Main|Book of Mormon}} Smith lived near the remnants of a vanquished Indian civilization that had left behind numerous burial mounds; eight near the Smith farm itself.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=162}}</ref> As argued by author [[Christopher Hitchens]], "There were two … schools or factions who took a fascinated interest in [buried Indian artifacts]: the first were the gold-diggers and treasure-diviners [and] those who hoped to find the resting place of the lost tribe of Israel. Smith's cleverness was to be a member of both groups[.]"<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=162}}. The full quote is <blockquote>"There were two equally stupid schools or factions who took a fascinated interest in [buried Indian artifacts]: the first were the gold-diggers and treasure-diviners who bought their margin sticks and crystals and stuffed toads to bear in search for lucre, and the second those who hoped to find the resting place of the lost tribe of Israel. Smith's cleverness was to be a member of both groups, and to unite cupidity with half-baked anthropology."</blockquote></ref> Smith announced that he had been visited three times by the angel [[Moroni]] who informed Smith of a buried book "written upon [[Golden Plates]]" and also two magic stones, set in the twin breastplates [[Urim]] and [[Thummim]] of the [[Old Testament]], that would enable Smith to translate the [[Book of Mormon]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1982}}</ref> Smith refused to show the golden plates to anyone and claimed that it would mean death for anyone but Smith to view them.<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1982}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=163}}</ref> Smith, who could read but not write,<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=163}}</ref> enlisted the help of his neighbor [[Martin Harris]], who mortgaged his farm to underwrite the translation of the [[Book of Mormon]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=163}}</ref> [[Martin Harris|Harris]]'s wife Lucy, angry at her husband's gullibility, [[Lost 116 pages|stole the first 116 pages]] of the translation and "challenged Smith to reproduce them, as presumably—given his power of revelation—he could".<ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=163}}</ref> [[Fawn Brodie]] wrote that Smith "realized that it was impossible for him to reproduce the story exactly, and that to redictate it would be to invite devastating comparisons."<ref>{{Harvnb|Brodie|1971|pp=54}}</ref> Harris's wife taunted Smith: {{cquote|If this be a divine communication, the same being who revealed it to you can easily replace it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Brodie|1971|pp=54}}</ref> }} "After a few bad weeks," Smith admitted that he could not replicate the original, "which might be in the devil's hands," but instead claimed that God had provided him with smaller plates—those of [[Nephi]]—whose account was similar to but not the same of that told on the plates of [[Moroni]], who Smith claimed had taken back the originals because he was angry that Smith allowed the translation to be stolen.<ref>[[Doctrine and Covenants]], [[s:The Doctrine and Covenants/Section 3|Section 3]] and [[s:The Doctrine and Covenants/Section 10|Section 10]]</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Brodie|1971}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1982}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=163–164}}</ref> Smith and Harris resumed the translation based upon the plates of Nephi, and when [[Book of Mormon|The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi]] was completed and published in 1830, the original golden plates were "transported to heaven."<ref>{{Harvnb|Brodie|1971}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Hitchens|2007|pp=164}}</ref> == Marriage to Emma Smith == [[Image:EmmaSmith.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Emma Hale Smith]], Joseph's first wife, whom he married in 1827.]] Smith met [[Emma Hale]] in 1825 when he boarded with the Hales while he was employed in a company hoping to unearth buried treasure. Although the company was unsuccessful, Smith returned to [[Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania|Harmony]] several times seeking Emma's hand. [[Isaac Hale]], Emma's father, refused to allow the marriage so the couple eloped across the state line to [[Bainbridge (town), New York|South Bainbridge, New York]], present day Afton, New York, and were married on [[18 January]] [[1827]], by the Village of Afton, New York Justice of the Peace. The couple initially moved to the home of Smith's parents on the edge of [[Manchester, New York|Manchester Township]] near Palmyra. === Children born to Emma Smith === During the early portion of their marriage, Joseph and Emma Smith had the following children: :*[[June 15]], [[1828]], Alvin, who lived only a few hours. :*[[April 30]], [[1831]], twins, Thaddeus and Louisa, who died hours after their premature birth. :*[[April 30]], [[1831]], twins Joseph and [[Julia Murdock Smith|Julia]]. These were the children of Julia Clapp Murdock and [[John Murdock (Mormon)|John Murdock]]. Murdock, upon his wife's death in childbirth, gave the infants to the Smiths (who had just lost their own twins) to adopt. The couple later had four additional sons: :*[[November 6]], [[1832]], [[Joseph Smith III]] :*[[June 29]], [[1836]], Frederick Granger Williams Smith :*[[June 2]], [[1838]], [[Alexander Hale Smith]]. :*[[November 17]], [[1844]], [[David Hyrum Smith]], born after Joseph's death. == Polygamous Marriages == {{Main|Origin of Latter Day Saint polygamy}} {{Seealso|List of the wives of Joseph Smith, Jr.}} Historians agree that Smith taught that [[polygamy]] was a divine commandment, and practiced it personally, by many accounts marrying dozens of women before his death.<ref>{{Harvnb|Foster|1981}}; {{Harvnb|Quinn 1994}}; {{Harvnb|Compton|1997}}; {{Harvnb|Launius|1988}}; {{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1989}}; {{Harvnb|Newell|1994}}.</ref><ref>Wives recognized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as shown in Joseph Smith's genealogical record at the LDS church's website [[FamilySearch]] ({{cite web | title = FamilySearch | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url = http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/individual_record.asp?recid=7762167 }}), {{Harvnb|Compton|1997}}, {{Harvnb|Smith|1994|pp=13-15}}, and {{Harvnb|Brodie|1971}}.</ref> During Smith's life he publicly preached and wrote against the doctrine of [[plural marriage]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Whitmer|1887}}</ref><ref>[http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n06.htm ''Times and Seasons'', Volume 5, page 474]</ref><ref>[http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v5n03.htm ''Times and Seasons'', Volume 5, page 423]</ref> The church's scripture, penned by Smith, mentioned polygamy in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, {{cquote|Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband, except in the case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.<ref>[http://www.centerplace.org/hs/dc/rdc-114.htm 114 ''Doctrine and Covenants'' [1835 Edition] 101:4; RLDS 111:4b - printed in all subsequent Utah LDS editions until 1876]</ref> }}Affidavits and testimony of many individuals, made after Smith's death, indicate that many of the plural marriages were performed by Smith before his death in 1844,<ref>{{Harvnb|Compton|1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url = http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/home.htm }} The table of references for these ages are listed at {{cite web | title = References for the ages of the Wives of Joseph Smith | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | url = http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/References.html }}</ref> among them two fourteen year old girls,<ref>{{Harvnb|Newell|1994}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Compton|1997}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Krakauer|2003|pp=120}}</ref> and several women in their 50's. Numerous early converts, including [[Brigham Young]],<ref name="JournalHist1857">Journal History, 26 August 1857; cited by Hyrum Leslie Andrus, ''Doctrines of the Kingdom'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Desert Book Co., 1999), 489n436 ({{Harvnb|Andrus|1973}})</ref> who claimed to have married [[Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner|Lightner]] to Smith,<ref name="Newell p. 65">{{Harvnb|Newell|1994|pp=65}}, [http://books.google.com/books?id=UjHEhhqVu1UC&pg=PA65&vq=Mary+Rollins&dq=Mormon+Enigma:+Emma+Hale+smith&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U0DACkZ8P0Nb8quB_hWPbU53xuiIA link].</ref><ref name=Lightner>[[Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner|Lightner]] wrote, <blockquote>[At age 12 in 1831], &#91;[[Joseph Smith, Jr.|Smith]]&#93; told me about his great vision concerning me. He said I was the first woman God commanded him to take as a [[plural marriage|plural wife]]. … In 1834 he was commanded to take me for a Wife … [In 1842 I] went forward and was sealed to him. [[Brigham Young]] performed the sealing … for time, and all Eternity. I did just as Joseph told me to do[.] ({{Harvnb|Newell|1994|pp=65}})</blockquote></ref> [[Orson Pratt]], and [[Lyman E. Johnson|Lyman Johnson]], asserted that Joseph Smith was teaching plural marriage as early as 1831 or 1832. Smith purportedly received the [[1843 polygamy revelation]], [[Origin of Latter Day Saint polygamy#The 1850s: Official sanction of polygamy in the LDS Church|proclaimed in 1852]] by [[Brigham Young]],<ref name="BY MSS">{{cite article | title = Millenial Star Supplement | work = [[Millennial Star]] Supplement | volume = 15 | page = 30 | date = 1853 | url = http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/MStar&CISOPTR=7334&REC=16 }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Remy|1861}}</ref> but Young was unable to produce the original [[polygamy revelation of 1843|document]] and declared that Emma Smith had burned it.<ref>''Millennial Star Supplement'', Volume 15, page 30</ref> To this Emma Smith replied that she had never seen such a document, and added concerning the story that she had destroyed the original: "It is false in all its parts, made out of whole cloth, without any foundation in truth."<ref>''Church History'', Volume 3, page 352</ref> The [[1843 polygamy revelation|revelation]] was codified in Mormon canon by Young in 1876 as part of the LDS Church ''[[The Doctrine and Covenants|Doctrine and Covenants]]'' [[s:The Doctrine and Covenants/Section 132|132]], but rejected by the [[RLDS Church]] as not having been written by Smith.<ref>[http://www.centerplace.org/library/study/dc/ldc-marr.htm Tandy, J. ''Differences between the RLDS and LDS Doctrine and Covenants on the subject of Marriage'']</ref><ref>[http://www.restorationbookstore.org/articles/nopoligamy/jsfp-vol1/chp18.htm Price, R. ''Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy Volume I'']</ref> The text of the revelation states that [[Jesus Christ|Christ]] commands the practice of [[polygamy]] or [[plural marriage]] in a “new and an everlasting covenant” and declares that anyone who rejects the new practices will suffer damnation and will not “be permitted to enter into my glory.”<ref>[[w:Joseph Smith, Jr.|Joseph Smith]]'s 12 July [[1843 polygamy revelation]] on plural marriage with the demand that [[w:Emma Smith|Emma Smith]], the first wife, accept all of Joseph Smith's plural wives. See the ''[[w:Doctrine and Covenants|Doctrine and Covenants]]'', [[s:The Doctrine and Covenants/Section 132|132:1–4, 19, 20, 24, 34, 35, 38, 39, 52, 60–66]].</ref> There is also an [[1831 polygamy revelation|alleged polygamy revelation]] that Smith received in 1831.<ref>{{Harvnb|Foster|1981|pp=135}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Marquardt|1999}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Arrington|1992|pp=195}}</ref><ref name="Phelps' copy of the 1831 revelation">{{cite web |title=A photograph of W.&nbsp;W. Phelps' copy of the alleged 1831 revelation which commands Mormons to marry Indians so that their posterity would become "white." | url=http://www.ldsfreedom.org/PAGES/TOPICS_PAGES/Polyandry_Data/indianpolygamyp230bshadow.gif | accessdate=2008-06-20 | quote=A photograph of the important part of [[W. W. Phelps (Mormon)|W.&nbsp;W. Phelps]]' copy of the alleged 1831 revelation which commands Mormons to marry Indians so that their posterity would become "white." The original is in the LDS historical department. }}</ref><ref name="Booth letter">Ezra Booth, letter dated 6 December 1831, ''Ohio Star'' (Ravenna, Ohio), 8 December 1831. Text at [http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/p/1831_booth8-9.phtml#marry Saints Without Halos]. Reprinted in ({{Harvnb|Howe|1834}}). "&hellip; it has been made known by revelation, that it will be pleasing to the Lord, should they [the Mormons] form a matrimonial alliance with the Natives; and by this means the Elders, who comply with the thing so pleasing to the Lord, and for which the Lord has promised to bless those who do it abundantly, gain a residence in the Indian territory, independent of the agent. It has been made known to one, who has left his wife in the state of N.Y. that he is entirely free from his wife, and he is at liberty to take him a wife from among the Lamanites."</ref> Accusations of polygamy by disapproving Mormons were published in the ''[[Nauvoo Expositor]]'' in [[1844]].<ref name="Nauvoo Expositor">{{cite article | title = Nauvoo Expositor | date = 1844-06-07 | author = [[William Law (Latter Day Saints)|William Law]] | work = [[Nauvoo Expositor]] | url = http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs/exposit1.htm | quote = [[William Law (Latter Day Saints)|William Law]] stated, [[Hyrum Smith]] [read] a revelation from God, he said that he was with Joseph when it was received. … The revelation (so called) authorized certain men to have more wives than one at a time. }}</ref> Smith responded to the polygamy accusations by again publicly denying them and declaring the paper a public nuisance and ordered the paper's [[printing]] press destroyed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Marquardt|2005}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Marquardt|1999|pp=312}}</ref><ref name="La Rue">{{Harvnb|La Rue|1919}}</ref><ref name="historyOfLDS-council">{{Harvnb|LDS Church|1912}}. The council met on [[June 8]] and [[June 10]] to discuss the matter.</ref><ref name="Clark">J.&nbsp;L. Clark writes that Hyrum's statement "appeared in the [[Nauvoo Neighbor|Nauvoo ''Neighbor'']] of June 19, 1844, but was omitted from the History of the Church" ({{Harvnb|Clark|1968}}).</ref><ref name="JOAH">The [[Journal of American History]]'s review of Clark's book states that "''1844'' is fairly accurate and perceptive." {{cite journal | title = Review [untitled] | author = Frank Otto Gatell | journal = [[Journal of American History]] | volume = 57 | number = 2 |pages = 426–428 | year = 1970 | url = http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-8723(197009)57%3A2%3C426%3AJASPAP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F }}</ref> Smith's subsequent arrest and murder by a mob prompted church members to leave the area, eventually leading to the [[Mormon Exodus]] to [[Utah]] in 1846–47. According to Van Wagoner, {{cquote|(Smith's) most pointed denial of plural marriage occurred on 5 October 1843 in instructions pronounced publicly in the streets of Nauvoo. Willard Richards wrote in Smith's diary that Joseph "gave instructions to try those who were preaching, teaching, or practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives...Joseph forbids it and the practice thereof. No man shall have but one wife".<ref>Van Wagoner, R.S. (1994) ''Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess'' Salt Lake City: Signature Books, at 292</ref> }} === Children born to polygamous wives === {{Main|Children of Joseph Smith, Jr.}} No alleged children of Joseph Smith, Jr. born to women other than [[Emma Hale Smith|Emma Smith]] has ever been proven, though the question of Smith's progeny from his alleged polygamous wives has been raised since his death. Several alleged [[Children of Joseph Smith, Jr.|Smith descendants]] have been identified but highly accurate [[DNA testing|DNA tests]] have in 2007 eliminated four candidates<ref>{{ cite article | title = Research focuses on Smith family | date = 2005-05-28 | work = [[Deseret News]] | url = http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600137517,00.html }}</ref><ref>{{ cite article | title = DNA tests rule out 2 as Smith descendants: Scientific advances prove no genetic link | date = 2007-11-10 | work = [[Deseret News]] | url = http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695226318,00.html }}</ref><ref name=Perego>{{cite journal | last = Perego | first = Ugo A. | last2 = Myers | first2 = Natalie M. | last3 = Woodward | first3 = Scott R. | title = Reconstructing the Y-Chromosome of Joseph Smith, Jr.: Genealogical Applications | journal = [[Journal of Mormon History]] | volume = 32 | number = 2 | date = Summer 2005 | year = 2005 | url = http://mha.wservers.com/pubs/TOC/05_July_Journal_TOC.pdf }}</ref> though research into this history is complicated by the facts that [[Genealogical DNA test|Y-DNA genetic testing]] for [[Patrilineality|non-male]] lines is not possible, and two candidates died as infants.<ref name=Perego/> Smith was accused in 1886 by [[Sarah Pratt]] of allowing [[John C. Bennett]], a medical doctor, to perform abortions on polygamous wives who were officially single, which she alleged limited Smith's progeny from these wives.<ref name="Smith 1971 p. 113">{{Harvnb|Smith|1971|pp=113}} [http://books.google.com/books?id=BWM7yHuIyAUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Saintly+Scoundrel:+The+Life+and+Times+of+Dr.+John+Cook+Bennett&sig=ACfU3U0tTatRfP_jwPSfVULPEv2XP-8lBw#PPA113,M1 link]</ref><ref name=Wymetal>{{Harvnb|Wymetal|1886|pp=60–61}} [http://olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1886WWyl.htm#pg061a link]</ref> [[Orson Pratt]], Sarah Pratt's husband, considered Bennett a liar: "J.C. Bennett has published lies concerning myself & family & the people with which I am connected....His book I have read with the greatest disgust. No candid honest man can or will believe it. He has disgraced himself in eyes of all civilized society who will despise his very name,"<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986}}</ref> whereas Sarah Pratt herself said, "[I] know that the principle statements in John C. Bennett's book on Mormonism are true."<ref>{{Harvnb|Van Wagoner|1986|pp=83}}</ref> == Major teachings == {{Main|Teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr.}} During his adult life — from the time he began translating the [[Book of Mormon]] in 1827 until his death in 1844 — Smith introduced a large number of religious teachings. Although a number of his teachings are similar to doctrines circulating during his lifetime, several are unique to Smith. Nearly all Smith's teachings had some root in the [[King James Version]] of the [[Bible]], or his interpretation or elaboration of it. However, he believed in other scripture, and that in some instances, the Bible was translated incorrectly.<ref>See [[Wentworth letter]].</ref> Thus, he restored [[Temple (Mormonism)|temples]], orders of [[priesthood (Mormonism)|priesthood]], and other elements of the Bible that he felt had been wrongly abandoned by most of [[Christianity]] as part of a [[Great Apostasy]]. Much of this restoration is presented in the [[Doctrine and Covenants]], which is described as modern scripture. In many cases, Smith's doctrines or interpretations of the [[Bible]], as well as his own revelations, placed him at odds with mainstream Christianity. For example, he publicly rejected mainstream Christianity's long-standing formulation of the [[Trinity]] as recorded in the 4th century [[Nicene Creed]].<ref>''Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith'', Compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith. Deseret Book, 1993, p. 181 "That which is without body, parts and passions is nothing. There is no other God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones. John 5:26. As the Father hath life in himself, even so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. God the Father took life unto himself precisely as Jesus did." </ref> In what has come to be known as the [[Wentworth letter]], Joseph Smith, Jr. wrote and sent a list of the basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to [[John Wentworth (mayor)|"Long" John Wentworth]], editor of the ''[[Chicago Democrat]]''. These [[articles of faith]] were subsequently published in ''[[Times and Seasons]]''<ref>[http://patriot.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/NCMP1820-1846&CISOPTR=9200&REC=8 Times and Seasons, No. 9 March 1, 1842]</ref>, a newspaper published by the church (''see [[Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)]]''). == Legacy == === Immediate reaction === Smith's death created a crisis for the Latter Day Saints. Their charismatic founder was dead and their hierarchy was scattered on missionary efforts and in support of Smith's presidential campaign. [[Brigham Young]] recorded in his journal his initial concern after Smith's murder: "The first thing which I thought of was, whether Joseph had taken the keys of the kingdom with him from the earth." Without the keys of the kingdom, that is, the appropriate Priesthood authority, Young recognized the possibility that, according to the church's doctrine and Smith's own teachings, the church lacked a divinely-sanctioned leader. Because of ongoing tensions, the state legislature revoked Nauvoo's city charter and it was disincorporated. All protection, public services, self-government and other public benefits were revoked. Those who lived in the former City of Nauvoo referred to it as the City of Joseph—he being its founder—after this time, until the city was again granted a charter. Without official defenses, city residents continued to be persecuted by opponents, leading Young to consider other areas for settlement, including [[Texas]], [[California]], [[Iowa]], and the [[Great Basin]] region. === Succession === {{main|Succession crisis (Mormonism)}} Smith left ambiguous or contradictory succession instructions that led to arguments and disagreements among the church's members and leadership, several of whom claimed rights to leadership. <!--His family, however, supported [[James Jesse Strang]] as his successor. (removed - see talk) --> An [[August 8]], [[1844]] conference which established Young's leadership is the source of an oft-repeated legend. Multiple journal and eyewitness accounts from those who followed Young state that when Young spoke regarding the claims of succession by the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]], he appeared to look or sound like the late Smith. Although many of these accounts were written years after the event, there were contemporary records. Historian D. Michael Quinn wrote: {{Quotation|The ''Times and Seasons'' reported that just before the sustaining vote at the afternoon session of the August meeting, "every Saint could see that Elijah's mantle had truly fallen upon the 'Twelve.'" Although the church newspaper did not refer to [[Brigham Young|Young]] specifically for the "mantle" experience, on [[15 November]] [[1844]] Henry and Catharine Brooke wrote from Nauvoo that Young "favours Br Joseph, both in person, manner of speaking more than any person ever you saw, looks like another." Five days later Arza Hinckley referred to "Brigham Young on [w]hom the mantle of the prophet Joseph has fallen."<ref>{{cite book | last = Quinn | first = D. Michael | title = The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power | pages = p. 166 | location = Salt Lake City | publisher = Signature Books | year = 1994 | id = ISBN 1-56085-056-6 }}</ref>}} Most [[Latter Day Saints]] followed Young, but some aligned with other various people claiming to be Smith's successor. Some waited for Smith's son, [[Joseph Smith III]], to assume leadership of the church despite his young age at the death of his father. The church had published a revelation in 1841 stating "I say unto my servant Joseph, In thee, and in thy seed, shall the kindred of the earth be blessed",<ref>{{sourcetext|source=The Doctrine and Covenants|book=Covenant 107|verse=18c}}</ref> and this was widely interpreted as endorsing the concept of [[Lineal Succession (Mormonism)|Lineal Succession]]. Documentary evidence indicates also that Smith set apart his son as his successor at various private meetings and public gatherings, including Liberty<ref>Joseph Smith III; Joseph Smith III and the Restoration; Herald House; 1952, p. 13</ref> and Nauvoo.<ref>Autumn Leaves, Vol 1; p. 202</ref> Indeed, Brigham Young assured the bulk of Smith's followers as late as 1860 that young Joseph would eventually take his father's place.<ref>Brigham Young: Journal of Discourses; Vol 8; P 69</ref> That year, on April 6, the younger Smith became leader of what was to later be incorporated as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now called the [[Community of Christ]] church) in the Midwest, made up of scattered church members not having journeyed west with Young, including Smith's widow Emma and two of Joseph III's brothers. Smith III stated at the conference: {{Quotation|I would say to you, brethren, as I hope you may be, and in faith I trust you are, as a people that God has promised his blessings upon, I came not here of myself, but by the influence of the Spirit. For some time past I have received manifestations pointing to the position which I am about to assume. I wish to say that I have come here not to be dictated by any men or set of men. I have come in obedience to a power not my own, and shall be dictated by the power that sent me.<ref>''True Latter Day Saints’ Herald'', vol. 1, pp. 102–104</ref>}} In addition, Smith's Vice Presidential running mate [[Sidney Rigdon]] formed the [[Rigdonite|Church of Jesus Christ]], headquartered in [[Greensburg, Pennsylvania|Greensburg]], [[Pennsylvania]] with a few more congregations scattered throughout the area. Many of these smaller groups were spread throughout the [[Midwest|midwestern United States]], especially in [[Independence, Missouri]], and several remain viable as religious groups. Issues relating to the [[Succession crisis (Mormonism)|succession crisis]] are still the subject of discussion and debate. {{ see also|History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} === In the modern media === * In film, Joseph Smith has been portrayed by several actors including [[Vincent Price]] (''[[Brigham Young (movie)|Brigham Young]]''), [[Dean Cain]] (''[[September Dawn]]''), [[Jonathan Scarfe]] (''[[The Work and The Glory (film)|The Work and The Glory]]''), [[Nathan Mitchell]] (''[[Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration]]'') and [[Richard Moll]] (''Brigham''). * Smith was the subject of the cover of ''[[Newsweek]]'' Magazine, dated [[October 17]], [[2005]]. The cover was a reproduction of a stained-glass window portraying the First Vision. Many opinions on Joseph Smith were quoted, ranging from LDS Church President [[Gordon B. Hinckley]] to [[Mark Scherer]], official historian of the [[Community of Christ]]. * On TV, Joseph Smith's life was portrayed in the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[All About Mormons]]" in 2003. Joseph Smith was also featured as a member of the [[Super Best Friends]], a superhero-type group of various major religious leaders and gods, on an earlier episode. *On [[December 23]] [[2005]] a film titled ''[[Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration]]'' was produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is shown the Legacy Theater of the [[Joseph Smith Memorial Building]].<ref>[http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,6516-1-3350-1,00.html ''Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration'' Film] from official LDS website</ref> * A [[Public Broadcasting System|PBS]] documentary called "The Mormons" aired [[April 30]] and [[May 1]] [[2007]]. ==See also== [[Early life of Joseph Smith, Jr.|Joseph Smith Jr.'s life 1805−1827]] '''·''' [[Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1827 to 1830|1827−1830]] '''·''' [[Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1831 to 1834|1831−1834]] '''·''' [[Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1835 to 1838|1835−1838]] '''·''' [[Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1838 to 1842|1838−1842]] '''·''' [[Life of Joseph Smith, Jr. from 1842 to 1844|1842−1844]] '''·''' [[Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.|Death]] '''·''' [[Joseph Smith, Jr. and polygamy|Polygamy]] '''·''' [[Teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr.|Teachings]] '''·''' [[Prophecies of Joseph Smith, Jr.|Prophecies]] '''·''' [[Works relating to Joseph Smith, Jr.|Bibliography]] == Notes == {{reflist|2}} <!-- Dead note "lindsay-danites": see {{cite web | author=Lindsay, Jeff | title=Quick Answer: Who Were the Danites? | work=LDS FAQ | url=http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Danites.shtml#danites | accessmonthday=August 22 | accessyear=2005}} --> <!-- Dead note "histrcjclds-2-26": {{cite web | title=Church History Volume 2, Chapter 26|work=History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints|url= http://www.centerplace.org/history/ch/v2ch26.htm|accessmonthday = August 22 |accessyear=2005}} --> == References == <div class="references-small"> * {{Harvard reference | Last=Anderson | First=Richard Lloyd | Title=Circumstantial Confirmation Of the First Vision Through Reminiscences | Journal=BYU Studies | Volume=9 | Issue=3 | Year=1969 | Pages=373–404 | URL=https://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/PDFfiles/9.3Anderson.pdf }}. * {{Harvard reference | last=Andrus | first = Hyrum Leslie | title = Doctrines of the Kingdom | publisher = Bookcraft | location = Salt lake City, UT | year = 1973 | page = 450 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=J9UHGwAACAAJ&dq=Andrus+%22Doctrines+of+the+Kingdom%22 }}. *{{ Harvard reference | title = The History of the Saints; or An Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism | last = Bennett | first = John C. | authorlink = John C. Bennett | publisher = Leland & Whiting | location = Boston | year = 1842 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=bAnMckqrfeoC&dq=The+History+of+the+Saints%3B+or+An+Expos%C3%A9+of+Joe+Smith+and+Mormonism&pg=PP1&ots=_46O82jCgG&sig=2YbAmC3Aei8kWNSu2wwYbZGINXg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPP1,M1 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Berge | First=Dale L. | Title=Archaeological Work at the Smith Log House | Journal=Ensign | Volume=15 | Issue=8 | Year=1985 | Month=August | Pages=24 | URL=http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/1985.htm/ensign%20august%201985%20.htm/archaeological%20work%20at%20the%20smith%20log%20house.htm?fn=document-frameset.htm$f=templates$3.0 }}. * {{Harvard reference | last = Brodie | first = Fawn M. | authorlink = Fawn M. Brodie | title = [[No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith]] | publisher = Knopf | location = New York | year = 1971 | edition = 2nd edition | id = ISBN 0-679-73054-0 }} * {{Harvard reference | last = Bushman | first = Richard Lyman | authorlink = Richard Lyman Bushman | title = [[Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling]] | publisher = Knopf | location = New York | year = 2005 | id = ISBN 1-4000-4270-4 }} * {{Harvard reference | last = Bushman | first = Richard Lyman | authorlink = Richard Lyman Bushman | title = [[On the Road with Joseph Smith: An Author's Diary]] | publisher = Greg Kofford Books | location = Salt Lake City, UT | year = 2007 | id = ISBN 1-58958-102-4 }} * {{ Harvard reference | last = Clark | first = Jerome Leslie | title = 1844: Religious Movements | volume = 1 | publisher = Southern Publishing Association | location = Nashville, TN | year=1968 | pages = 157 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=vAlCAAAAIAAJ&q=%221843+polygamy+revelation%22&dq=%221843+polygamy+revelation%22&pgis=1 }}. * [[Emma Hale Smith|Bidamon, Emma Smith]] ([[March 27]], [[1876]]), letter to Emma S. Pilgrim, published in {{Harvard reference | Author=Vogel, Dan, ed. | Last=Vogel | First=Dan | Title=Early Mormon Documents, Vol. 1 | Publisher=Signature Books | Year=1996 | ID=ISBN 1-56085-072-8 | Ref=Reference-Smith-1876 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Cobb | First=James T. | Title=The Hill Cumorah, And The Book Of Mormon. The Smith Family, Cowdery, Harris, and Other Old Neighbors—What They Know | Journal=The Saints' Herald | Volume=28 | Issue=11 | Date=[[June 1]], [[1881]] | Year=1881 | Month=June | Pages=167 | URL=http://www.lavazone2.com/dbroadhu/IL/sain1872.htm#060181 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Compton | First=Todd | Title=In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith | URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156085085X/qid=1143058836/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-2883470-2803352?s=books&v=glance&n=283155|Year=1997 | Publisher = Salt Lake City: Signature Books | Year = 1997 | ID = ISBN 1-56085-085-X }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Cowdery | First=Oliver | Authorlink=Oliver Cowdery | Title=Letter <nowiki>[I]</nowiki> | Journal=[[Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate]] | Volume=1 | Issue=1 | Pages=13–16 | Year=1834 | Month=October | URL=http://www.centerplace.org/history/ma/v1n01.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Cowdery | First=Oliver | Authorlink=Oliver Cowdery | Title=Letter VIII | Journal=[[Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate]] | Volume=2 | Issue=1 | Pages=195–202 | Year=1835 | Month=October | URL=http://www.centerplace.org/history/ma/v2n01.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | last = Foster | first = Lawrence | title = Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community | publisher = Oxford University Press | year= 1981 | place = New York | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=aPrEwTzypR0C&pg=PA135&dq=About+three+years+after+this+was+given,+I+asked+brother+%7CJoseph,+privately,+how+%E2%80%9Cwe,%E2%80%9D+that+were+mentioned+in+the+revelation&sig=lYTRZ-_a8UNfyIefDZwAGzVH_TE }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Hill | First=Donna | Title = Joseph Smith: The First Mormon | URL=http://www.signaturebooks.com/excerpts/first.htm|Year=2004 | Publisher = Garden City, NY, Doubleday | Year = 1977 (also published by Salt Lake City: Signature Books in 1999. | ID = ISBN 1-56085-118-X (Signature Books) }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Hill | First=Marvin S. | Title=Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties | Journal=BYU Studies | Volume=12 | Issue=2 | Year=1976 | Pages=1–8 | URL=https://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/PDFfiles/12.2Hill.pdf }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = Hitchens | first = Christopher | authorlink = Christopher Hitchens | title = [[god is not Great]] | publisher = Twelve | location = New York | year = 2007 | pages = 161–168 }}. * {{Harvard reference | last = Howe | first = Eber D. | title = Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of that Singular Imposition and Delusion, from its Rise to the Present Time | year = 1834 | publisher = Howe | location = Painesville, Ohio | pages = 216–222 | url = http://www.rickgrunder.com/BooksForSale/howe/howe.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Jessee | First=Dean | Title=Joseph Knight's Recollection of Early Mormon History | Journal=BYU Studies | Volume=17 | Issue=1 | Year=1976 | Pages=35 | URL=https://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/PDFfiles/17.1Jessee.pdf }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Johnson | First=Luke | Title=History of Luke Johnson, by Himself | Journal=[[Millennial Star|The Latter Day Saints' Millennial Star]] | Volume=26 | Year=1864 | Pages=834 }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = Krakauer | first = Jon | authorlink = Jon Krakauer | title = [[Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith]] | year = 2003 | pages = 90 | publisher=Doubleday | location = New York }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Lapham | First=<nowiki>[La]</nowiki>Fayette | Title=Interview with the Father of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, Forty Years Ago. His Account of the Finding of the Sacred Plates | Journal=Historical Magazine [second series] | Volume=7 | Year=1870 | Month=May | Pages=305-309 }}, republished in {{Harvard reference | Author=Vogel, Dan, ed. | Last=Vogel | First=Dan | Title=Early Mormon Documents, Vol. 1 | Publisher=Signature Books | Year=1996 | ID=ISBN 1-56085-072-8 | URL=http://www.signaturebooks.com/excerpts/doc1.htm | Ref=none }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = La Rue | first = William Earl | title = The Foundations of Mormonism: A Study of the Fundamental Facts in the History and Doctrines of the Mormons from Original Sources | publisher = Fleming H. Revell Company | location = New York | year=1919 | pages = 215 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=dHYTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA215&dq=%22was+in+answer+to+a+question+concerning+things+which+transpired+in+former+days,+and+had+no+reference+to+the+present+time%22+June+19+1844#PPA215,M1 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Surname1=Lewis | Given1=Joseph | Surname2=Lewis | Given2=Hiel | Title=Mormon History | Periodical=Amboy Journal | Volume=24 | Issue=5 | Year=1879 | Date=[[April 30]], [[1879]] | Page=1 | URL=http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/IL/miscill3.htm#043079 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Mack | First=Solomon | Title=A Narraitve <nowiki>[sic]</nowiki> of the Life of Solomon Mack | Publisher=Windsor: Solomon Mack | Year=1811 | ID=(No ISBN assigned) | URL=http://olivercowdery.com/texts/1811Mack.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | last = Marquardt | first = H. Michael | title = The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text and Commentary | publisher = Signature Books | year =1999 | date=1999 | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=x5AJAAAACAAJ&dq=The+Joseph+Smith+Revelations:+Text+and+Commentary }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = Marquardt | first = H. Michael | title = The Rise of Mormonism: 1816&ndash;1844 | publisher = Xulon Press | location = Grand Rapids, MI | year = 2005 | date = 2005 | pages = 632 | isbn = 1597814709 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=Z_v2IAnMssMC&pg=PA632&dq=%22was+in+answer+to+a+question+concerning+things+which+transpired+in+former+days,+and+had+no+reference+to+the+present+time%22+June+19+1844&sig=ACfU3U27OjS4JHLwE_sZ9QjtUvnwJiqxrg#PPA632,M1 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=McKiernan | First=F. Mark | Title=The Voice of One crying in the Wilderness: Sidney Rigdon, Religious Reformer, 1793-1876 | URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/102-2883470-2803352?search-alias=aps&keywords=The%20Voice%20of%20One%20crying%20in%20the%20Wilderness:%20Sidney%20Rigdon,%20Religious%20Reformer,%201793-1876 | Publisher= Lawrense, KS, Corondao Press | Year = 1971 | ID = ISBN not available }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Newell | First=Linda King and Valeen Tippetts Avery | Title= Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith | edition = 2d | Publisher=University of Illinois Press | Year=1994 | id = ISBN 0252062914 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=UjHEhhqVu1UC&pg=PA139&vq=Lucy+Walker&dq=Mormon+Enigma:+Emma+Hale+smith&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U2NewRaM2zHb7RSO3XKF3zHgplZJA }}. * Norwich, Vermont ([[March 15]], [[1816]]), ''A Record of Strangers Who are Warned Out of Town'', 1813–1818 (Norwich Clerk's Office), p. 53, published in {{Harvard reference | Author=Vogel, Dan, ed. | Last=Vogel | First=Dan | Title=Early Mormon Documents, Vol. 1 | Publisher=Signature Books | Year=1996 | ID=ISBN 1-56085-072-8 | Ref=Reference-Norwich-1816 }}, page 666. * {{Harvard reference | Author=Phelps, W. W., ed. | Last=Phelps | Authorlink=William Wines Phelps | Title=A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ | Publisher=[[Independence, Missouri|Zion]]: [[William Wines Phelps|W. W. Phelps]] & Co. | Year=1833 | URL=http://www.irr.org/mit/BOC/default.html }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Porter | First=Larry C. | Title=Reverend George Lane—Good "Gifts", Much "Grace", and Marked "Usefulness" | Journal=BYU Studies | Volume=9 | Issue=3 | Year=1969 | Pages=321–340 | URL=https://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/PDFfiles/9.3Porter.pdf }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Porter | First=Larry C. | Title=A Study of the Origins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, 1816–1831 | Publisher=Ph. D dissertation, [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] | Year=1971 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Quinn | First=D. Michael | Authorlink=D. Michael Quinn | Title=Early Mormonism and the Magic World View | Publisher=Signature Books, 2d ed. | Year=1998 | ID=ISBN 1-56085-089-2 | URL=http://www.signaturebooks.com/magic.htm }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = Remy | first = Jules | last2 = Brenchley | first2 = Julius Lucius | title = A Journey to Great-Salt-Lake City | volume = 2 | year = 1861 | pages = 118–120 | publisher = W. Jeffs | location = London | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=SNABAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA119&dq=%22Sister+Emma+burnt+the+original%22#PPA120,M1 }}. * {{ Harvard reference | last = Roberts | first = Brigham Henry | authorlink=B. H. Roberts | title = History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | titlelink=History of the Church | volume = 6 | year = 1912 | publisher = Deseret News | location = Salt Lake City, UT | pages 430–432 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=pGi-iiz6juYC&pg=PA430&lpg=PA432 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Author=Roberts, B. H., ed. | Last=Roberts | First=B. H. | Authorlnk=B. H. Roberts | Title=History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Publisher=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] | Year=1902 | URL=http://www.boap.org/LDS/History/HTMLHistory }}. #{{ Harvard reference | last1 = Sillito | first1 = John R. | last2 = Staker | first2 = Susan | title = Mormon Mavericks: Essays on Dissenters | publisher = Signature Books | year = 2002 | date = 2002 | id=ISBN 1560851546 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=FaFAAAAACAAJ&dq=%22mormon+mavericks%22&output=html }}.* {{Harvard reference | Author=Smith, Joseph, Jr. | Last=Smith | First=Joseph, Jr. | Year=1830 | Title=The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi | Publisher=Palmyra, New York: E. B. Grandin | URL=http://www.inephi.com/Search.htm }}. * Smith, Joseph, Jr. (1832) '' History of the Life of Joseph Smith'', in Joseph Smith Letterbook 1, pp. 1–6, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, published in {{Harvard reference | Author = Jessee, Dean C. (ed.) | Last=Jessee | First=Dean | Title = Personal Writings of Joseph Smith | Publisher = Salt Lake City: Deseret Book | Year = 2002 | ID = ISBN 1-57345-787-6 | URL = http://deseretbook.com/personalwritings/4 | Ref=Reference-Smith-1832 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Author=Smith, Joseph, Jr. et al., eds. | Last=Smith | First=Joseph, Jr. | Title=Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints | Publisher=Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co | Year=1835 | URL=http://www.irr.org/mit/BOC/default.html }}. * Smith, Joseph, Jr. et al. (1838–1842) ''History of the Church'' Ms., vol. A–1, pp. 1–10, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, published in {{Harvard reference | Author = Jessee, Dean C. (ed.) | Title = Personal Writings of Joseph Smith | Publisher = Salt Lake City: Deseret Book | Year = 2002 | ID = ISBN 1-57345-787-6 | URL = http://deseretbook.com/personalwritings/7 | Ref=Reference-Smith-1838 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last = Smith | First = Joseph Fielding | Authorlink = Joseph Fielding Smith | Title=Church History and Modern Revelation | Publisher=Deseret | Year=1946-1949 | Volume = 4 | pages = 167–173 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Smith | First=Lucy Mack | Authorlink=Lucy Mack Smith | Title=Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations | Publisher=Liverpool: S.W. Richards | Year=1853 | URL=http://relarchive.byu.edu/19th/descriptions/biographical.html }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Smith | First=William | Authorlink=William Smith (Mormonism) | Title=William Smith on Mormonism: A True Account of the Origin of the Book of Mormon | Publisher=Lamoni, Iowa: RLDS Church | Year=1883 | ID=(ISBN not assigned) | URL=http://www.olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1883Wilm.htm }}. *{{Harvard reference | last = Smith | first = Andrew F. | title = The Saintly Scoundrel: The Life and Times of Dr. John Cook Bennett | year = 1971 | publisher = University of Illinois Press | location = Urbana and Chicago | page=141 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=BWM7yHuIyAUC&pg=PA113&vq=abortion&dq=The+Saintly+Scoundrel:+The+Life+and+Times+of+Dr.+John+Cook+Bennett&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U3qUtlPuIP5sHXY_i7FhEiBLQDBbA }}. *{{Harvard reference | last=Smith | first=George D. | title=Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report | journal=Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought | volume=27 | issue=1 | year=1994 | date=Spring 1994 | url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2Fdialogue&CISOPTR=15882&REC=3&CISOBOX=42 | accessdate=2007-05-12 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Stevenson | First=Edward | Title=One of the Three Witnesses: Incidents in the Life of Martin Harris | Journal=The Latter Day Saints' Millennial Star | Volume=44 | Year=1882 | Pages=78–79, 86–87 | URL= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=/MillennialStar3&CISOPTR=17556&CISOSHOW=10511 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Tiffany | First=Joel | Title=Mormonism, No. II | Journal=Tiffany's Monthly | Volume=5 | Year=1859 | Month=August | Pages=163-170 | URL=http://www.xmission.com/~country/reason/harris_1.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Tucker | First=Pomeroy | Title=Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism | Publisher=[[New York, New York|New York]]: D. Appleton | Year=1867 | URL=http://www.solomonspalding.com/docs1/1867TucA.htm }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Turner | First=Orasmus | Title=History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and Morris' Reserve | Publisher=[[Rochester, New York]]: William Alling | Year=1851 | URL=http://olivercowdery.com/texts/1851Trn1.htm#turn1851 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Van Wagoner | First=Richard S. | last2 = Walker | first2 = Steve | title = Joseph Smith: “The Gift of Seeing” | journal = [[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]] | volume = 15 | number = 2 | pages = 48–68 | year = 1982 | date = Summer 1982 | url = http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=16574&REC=16&CISOSHOW=16483 }}. * {{Harvard reference | last = Van Wagoner | first = Richard A. | title = Sarah Pratt: The Shaping of an Apostate | journal = [[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]] | volume = 19 | number = 2 | pages = 79 | year = 1986 | url = http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2Fdialogue&CISOPTR=19553&REC=12&CISOBOX=Sarah+Pratt+Bennett+Goddards+highly+improbable }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Vogel | First=Dan | Title=The Locations of Joseph Smith's Early Treasure Quests | Journal=[[Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought]] | Volume=27 | Issue=3 | Year=1994 | Month=Fall | Pages=197-231 | URL=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=17325&CISOSHOW=17195 }}. * {{Harvard reference | Last=Whitmer | First=David | Authorlink=David Whitmer | Title=An Address to All Believers in Christ By A Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon | Publisher=David Whitmer, Richmond, Missouri | Year=1887 | URL=http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/address1.htm }}. *{{Harvard reference | last = Wymetal | first = Wilhelm Ritter von | title = Joseph Smith, the Prophet, His Family, and His Friends: A Study Based on Facts and Documents | year = 1886 | publisher = Tribune Printing and Publishing Company | location = Salt Lake City, UT | page = 60–61 | url = http://olivercowdery.com/smithhome/1886WWyl.htm#pg061a }}. *[http://www.carm.org/lds/ldspapyri.htm Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry] *[http://www.irr.org/mit/Books/BHOH/bhoh1.html Larson, Charles M., by his own hand upon papyrus, Institute for Religious Research, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1992] </div> In addition, Smith is also the main subject of virtually all works dealing with the early [[Latter Day Saint movement]]. {{Further information|[[Works relating to Joseph Smith, Jr.]]}} == See also == {{portal|Book of Mormon|The Hill Cumorah by C.C.A. Christensen.jpeg| 50}} {{portal|Latter-day Saints|Christus statue temple square salt lake city.jpg| 40}} {{wikiquote}} {{wikisource author|Joseph Smith, Jr.}} * [[The Joseph Smith Papers]] * [[Smith Family|Smith Political Family]] * [[History of the Latter Day Saint movement]] * [[Controversies regarding Mormonism]] * [[Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration|Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (film)]] * [[Joseph Smith, Jr. and Polygamy]] * [[Lectures on Faith]] * [[List of assassinated American politicians]] * "[[Praise to the Man]]" == External links == * [http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/ JosephSmithPapers.org] * {{gutenberg author| id=Joseph+Smith | name=Joseph Smith, Jr.}} * [http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,957-1,00.html "Who was Joseph Smith?"] - At Mormon.org * [http://www.josephsmith.net/portal/site/JosephSmith JosephSmith.net] - The official web site on Joseph Smith by the LDS Church. * [http://www.josephsmith.com/ JosephSmith.com] * [http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/people/joseph_smith/index.html Joseph Smith] - collection of articles about Joseph Smith from LightPlanet.com * [http://comevisit.com/lds/js3photo.htm Joseph Smith Daguerreotype] - The only known photograph of Joseph Smith * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvz_8iiDTLY Joseph Smith, Jr. - The Prophet] - a Mormon film about Joseph Smith * [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6810859820752730970&q=joseph+smith The Restoration (Google Video)] - a Mormon film about Joseph Smith * [http://www.librarything.com/author/smithjoseph LibraryThing author profile] * [http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/materials/DC_Timeline_000.pdf Joseph Smith Chronology Chart] *[http://youtube.com/watch?v=wUQ-tXQE6_Y Joseph Smith: Mormon Prophet (YouTube)] - a Mormon film about Joseph Smith {| style="margin: 0.5em auto; clear: both; font-size: 95%;" class="wikitable" |- ! colspan=2 | Leaders of the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Christ]], later called <br/>the ''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints'' |- ! align="center"|Founding president ! align="center"|Leader Claiming Succession<br/>Position in the ''Church of Christ''<br/>Title & [[:Category:Latter Day Saint denominations|denomination]]<br/> Years |- | rowspan=5 align="center"|'''Joseph Smith, Jr.'''<br/> (1830–1844) |- | align="center"|'''[[Brigham Young]]'''<br/> was [[President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|President]] of the [[Quorum of the Twelve]] <br/> [[President of the Church#President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|President]] of the [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] <br/>1844–1877 |- | align="center"|'''[[Joseph Smith III]]'''<br/>was [[Lineal succession (Latter Day Saints)|Direct Descendant]] of Joseph Smith, Jr.<br/> [[President of the Church#Presidents of the Community of Christ|President]] of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints later called the [[Community of Christ]]<br/>1860–1914 |- | align="center"|'''[[James Strang]]'''<br/>was an [[Elder (Latter Day Saints)|Elder]] with a [[Letter of appointment]]<br/>President of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)]]<br/>1844–1856 |- | align="center"|'''[[Sidney Rigdon]]'''<br/> was senior surviving member of the [[First Presidency]]<br/> ''Guardian'' of the Church of Christ later called the [[Church of Jesus Christ of the Children of Zion]] or Rigdonites<br/>1844–1847 |} {{start box}} {{succession box| before=[[John C. Bennett]]| title=Mayor of [[Nauvoo, Illinois]]|years=1842–1844| after=[[Daniel Spencer (Mormon)|Daniel Spencer]] }} {{end box}} {{LDS|show}} {{LDSApostles}} {{LDScouncil50}} {{LDSPresidents}} {{CofCpresidents}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Joseph, Jr.}} [[Category:1805 births]] [[Category:1844 deaths]] [[Category:American Latter Day Saints]] [[Category:American murder victims]] [[Category:American religious leaders]] [[Category:Americans of Dutch descent]] <!--source, rootsweb.com--> [[Category:Americans of English descent]] [[Category:Angelic visionaries]] [[Category:Assassinated American politicians]] [[Category:Book of Mormon witnesses]] [[Category:Crime in Illinois]] [[Category:Deaths by firearm in the United States]] [[Category:Editors of Latter Day Saint publications]] [[Category:Founders of religions]] [[Category:History of the Latter Day Saint movement]] [[Category:Joseph Smith, Jr.| ]] [[Category:Latter Day Saint missionaries]] [[Category:Members of the Anointed Quorum]] [[Category:Latter Day Saint martyrs]] [[Category:People from Ontario County, New York]] [[Category:People from Vermont]] [[Category:Prophets]] [[Category:Smith family]] [[Category:United States presidential candidates, 1844]] [[Category:Victims of religiously motivated violence in the United States]] [[ar:جوزيف سميث]] [[bg:Джоузеф Смит]] [[da:Joseph Smith]] [[de:Joseph Smith]] [[es:Joseph Smith (hijo)]] [[eo:Joseph Smith]] [[fr:Joseph Smith]] [[fy:Joseph Smith]] [[gl:Joseph Smith]] [[ko:조지프 스미스 2세]] [[haw:Josepa Samika]] [[hr:Joseph Smith]] [[ilo:Joseph Smith, Jr.]] [[id:Joseph Smith, Jr.]] [[ia:Joseph Smith]] [[is:Joseph Smith]] [[it:Joseph Smith]] [[he:ג'וזף סמית' הבן]] [[la:Iosephus Smith]] [[lv:Džozefs Smits]] [[jbo:djosef. smit]] [[hu:Joseph Smith]] [[fj:Josefa Simici]] [[nl:Joseph Smith]] [[ja:ジョセフ・スミス・ジュニア]] [[no:Joseph Smith]] [[pl:Joseph Smith]] [[pt:Joseph Smith Jr.]] [[ro:Joseph Smith, Jr.]] [[ru:Смит, Джозеф]] [[sm:Iosefa Samita]] [[simple:Joseph Smith, Jr.]] [[sk:Joseph Smith]] [[fi:Joseph Smith]] [[sv:Joseph Smith]] [[uk:Сміт Джозеф]] [[zh:約瑟·斯密]]