Mormon History
Mormonism is a fairly new religion. The Mormon Church was organized in 1830 by the first prophet Joseph Smith. It was his role to serve throughout his lifetime as a prophet, organize and testify of the truthfulness of the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God meaning that he received revelation from God, and was a seer, and revelator. Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was foreordained by God to restore the church upon the earth.
Mormonism began when a 14 year old farm boy desired to know which church he should join. He counseled with local ministers and priests and also his parents. He struggled to know which church was true. He remembered the scripture, James 1:5, which says that if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. Joseph took this advice and prayed to the lord in a grove of trees near his home. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, telling him to join none of the churches. He was instructed to restore the true church upon the earth, which was taken away during the “Great Apostasy.” Mormons believe that a “Great Apostasy” occurred after Christ’s visit on earth, because the church became corrupted and prophets became wicked. It was Joseph’s role to restore the true church on the earth.
Some have wondered why the Lord would call upon a lowly 14-year-old boy to restore the church on the earth. He was uneducated and not particularly respected. The Mormon Prophet Gordon B Hinkley believes that “the instrument in this work of God was a boy whose mind was not cluttered by the philosophies of men. That mind was fresh and without schooling in the traditions of the day.” Since then, Joseph worked diligently to restore the gospel upon the earth. He translated the Book of Mormon with divine help and organized the church. This was not an easy task. Joseph’s life was constantly being threatened. The Mormons were run out of both Missouri and Nauvoo, when mobsters would steal and burn their homes to the ground. He was poisoned, beaten, tarred, falsely imprisoned, and brutally tortured. On multiple occasions, her husband was ripped from their family from mobsters.
Despite the danger, nothing kept Joseph Smith from sharing the gospel and serving as a missionary. Joseph started sending missionaries out shortly after the church was restored. Joseph himself served as a missionary, traveling to various parts of the country to share the Mormon doctrine with those who would listen. Joseph led an incredible life. Not only serving as prophet, he was the mayor of Nauvoo and even ran for president of the United States in 1844. The first publication of the Book of Mormon was issued in March of 1830. After the restoration of the church, Joseph received revelation that the church was to be named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph was committed to the building of temples. Among the first temples to be built were the Kirtland, Ohio; Independence, Missouri; Far West Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph encouraged members to build the temples and despite being a prophet, Joseph worked along side them too. Many distrusted Mormons and were fearful of their rising power. As a result, in 1838, Joseph and his brother Hyrum were imprisoned at Liberty, Missouri where he spent four and a half months. Their crime was treason. In 1844, Joseph Smith was taken to jail in Carthage and murdered by a group of angry mobsters. He died a martyr of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Brigham Young then assumed the position of prophet of the Mormon Church. Brigham Young’s first step as prophet was to move the saints to Salt Lake City, Utah. Brigham Young presided over what became the largest westward pioneer trek in this country’s history. Once the pioneers reached Salt Lake, Brigham served as prophet. He received through revelation that polygamy was to be practiced, and tried to make Mormons economically independent. Brigham Young served as prophet for 30 years until he died from complications with his appendices.
More topics relating to Mormon history:
What was Joseph Smith’s personal life like?
Was Joseph Smith responsible for the forthcoming of Mormon scripture?