1. Joseph Smith
By Griffith Wiele

2. Background Born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon Vermont
Suffered a crippling bone infection when he was seven
Became interested in religion at the age of twelve
Occurring during the second great awakening
Confused by claims of competing religions
He eventually claims to have had a vision
He says God forgave his sins and told that churches had, “turned aside from the gospel”
He then became a treasure seeker

3. Founding Mormonism
Joseph had three golden plates that had been given to him by an angel named Moroni
He only allowed three men to see them, and they became known as the three witnesses
He translated what was on the plates
This became known as the Book of Mormon
It was published on March 26, 1830
Mormonism began spreading throughout New England
He was arrested but was acquitted

4. Founding Mormonism
Smith then claimed that more religious figures came to him in a vision and ordained him to a higher level of priesthood
His authority was beginning to be undermined by other figures in his church who began claiming to see revelations
In response he dictated a revelation which clarified his office as a prophet and an apostle, and which declared that only he held the ability to give doctrine and scripture for the entire church
He then sent the figures who undermined his authority on wild goose chases

5. Legacy He attracted thousands of followers before he died in 1844
Millions eventually joined his religion
Many Mormons and non-Mormons studied him
Some believed that he may have suffered from epileptic seizures
Some believed that he lied
Many people to this day follow his religion

6. Work cited
McGraw-Hill Connect, connect.mheducation.com/connect/hmEBook.do?setTab=sectionTabs
PBS, Public Broadcasting Service,
“The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
“Joseph Smith - First Mormon Prophet Saw God and Jesus in First Vision.”