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'''Joseph Smith, Jr.''' (1805-1844) was the founder and 1st President of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].

'''Joseph Smith, Jr.''' (1805-1844) was the founder and 1st President of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. Joseph Smith was the first prophet, seer and revelator of the church. Joseph was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont.  

==Vision==

==Visions==

Smith claimed to have seen [[God]] and [[Jesus]] in a vision near his house in New York. He maintained that they told him to establish a new church, free of sin. He was killed by an angry mob in Nauvoo, Illinois on June 27, 1844.

After reading James 1:5, Joseph decided to ask God which church he should join. In the Spring of 1820, Joseph said he saw [[God]] and [[Jesus]] in a vision.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,959-1,00.html The First Vision] Mormon.org</ref> Joseph was visited by an angel named Moroni from 1823 to 1827. Moroni showed Joseph where to find buried gold plates. The plates contained a fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These gold plates were translated by Joseph Smith by the inspiration of God and were published in 1830 as the [[Book_of_Mormon|Book of Mormon]].<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1293-1,00.html Translation of the Book of Mormon]Mormon.org</ref> On May 15, 1829, the resurrected John the Baptist appeared to Joseph and Oliver Cowdery and gave them the authority to baptize.<ref>[http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1291-1,00.html Authority to baptize]Mormon.org</ref> In 1829 the apostles [[Peter]], [[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>

 

Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed by an angry mob in Nauvoo, Illinois on June 27, 1844.<ref>[http://www.josephsmith.net/portal/site/JosephSmith/menuitem.da0e1d4eb6d2d87f9c0a33b5f1e543a0/?vgnextoid=ad10001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD&locale=0 Martyr for God]JosephSmith.net</ref>

 

 

[[Category:Biographies]]

[[Category:Biographies]]