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Removed some incorrect information. The Spalding theory has been bunk for a while. No major critic of the Mormon church uses it anymore. And to "reform" Egyptian just means to alter it, which even the Egyptians did (see Demotic, Hieratic.)
==Visions==
==Visions==
[[Image:First Vision.jpg|thumb|125px|Joseph Smith's First Vision]]
[[Image:First Vision.jpg|thumb|125px|Joseph Smith's First Vision]]
After hearing the conflicting claims of different Protestant preachers, Smith studied the Bible for himself. He decided to ask God which church he should join. In the Spring of 1820, Joseph said that he saw two beings, [[God]] (meaning the Father) and [[Jesus]], in a vision.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,959-1,00.html The First Vision] Mormon.org</ref> Smith claimed to have been repeatedly visited by an [[angel]] named [[Moroni]], from 1823 to 1827. According to Smith's account, Moroni showed him where to find buried gold plates. The plates were said to contain the full gospel of Jesus Christ in "reformed Egyptian" (a language which few, if any non-Mormon, believes ever existed). Smith claimed to have translated these gold plates by the inspiration of God, using a set of unusual spectacles that were also furnished to him for the purpose. He published the translation in 1830 as the [[Book of Mormon]].<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1293-1,00.html Translation of the Book of Mormon] Mormon.org</ref> The plates are not available for examination because, according to Smith, the angel took them after the translation was completed. One of Smith's earliest followers and co-workers had previously worked in a publishing office where he may have had access to the manuscript of a novel that told the story of lost tribes in America.
After hearing the conflicting claims of different Protestant preachers, Smith studied the Bible for himself. He decided to ask God which church he should join. In the Spring of 1820, Joseph said that he saw two beings, [[God]] (meaning the Father) and [[Jesus]], in a vision.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,959-1,00.html The First Vision] Mormon.org</ref> Smith claimed to have been repeatedly visited by an [[angel]] named [[Moroni]], from 1823 to 1827. According to Smith's account, Moroni showed him where to find buried gold plates. The plates were said to contain the full gospel of Jesus Christ in "reformed Egyptian." Smith claimed to have translated these gold plates by the inspiration of God, using a set of unusual spectacles that were also furnished to him for the purpose. He published the translation in 1830 as the [[Book of Mormon]].<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1293-1,00.html Translation of the Book of Mormon] Mormon.org</ref> The plates are not available for examination because, according to Smith, the angel took them after the translation was completed.
It was claimed that, on May 15, 1829, the resurrected [[John the Baptist]] appeared to Joseph and [[Oliver Cowdery]] and gave them the authority to [[baptism|baptize]].<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1291-1,00.html Authority to baptize] Mormon.org</ref> In 1829 the [[apostle]]s [[Peter]], [[James the Apostle|James]], and [[John]] gave them the authority to restore Christ's Church.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1292-1,00.html Authority of Apostles] Mormon.org</ref>
It was claimed that, on May 15, 1829, the resurrected [[John the Baptist]] appeared to Joseph and [[Oliver Cowdery]] and gave them the authority to [[baptism|baptize]].<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1291-1,00.html Authority to baptize] Mormon.org</ref> In 1829 the [[apostle]]s [[Peter]], [[James the Apostle|James]], and [[John]] gave them the authority to restore Christ's Church.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1292-1,00.html Authority of Apostles] Mormon.org</ref>