The Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet

Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon Prophet, was born in Vermont and raised in New York.  As first Prophet and founder of the Mormon Church, he traveled the United States and Canada preaching the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He organized the Mormon Church, properly known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on April 6, 1830 and led the Mormon people until his death at the hands of a mob on June 27, 1844.  In between, Joseph Smith translated and published the Book of Mormon, received and published many revelations from Jesus Christ, which form the basis of the Doctrine and Covenants, translated many other ancient records, organized the various offices and councils of the Mormon Church, built the first two Mormon temples, founded cities, and gathered together over 25,000 believers in the message entrusted to him by God.  His life and teachings continue to fascinate and inspire.  The truth about Mormonism can only be understood by understanding the life and teachings of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

Outline

The Early Life of Joseph Smith
            Birth and Childhood
            Typhoid Fever
            Joseph Smith’s Family and Religion

Joseph Smith’s First Visions
            The First Vision
            The Visit of the Angel Moroni
            Treasure Digging and Marriage

The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
            The Golden Plates and the Translation of the Records
            The Arrival of Oliver Cowdery
            The Witnesses to the Book of Mormon
            Publishing the Book of Mormon

The Organization of the Mormon Church
            The Restoration of the Priesthood
            The Church is Organized

The Church in Kirtland
            The First Gathering
            Translations and Revelations

The Time of Two Church Centers
            The Building of the First Mormon Temple and Zion’s Camp
            The Quorum of the Twelve and the Book of Abraham
            The First Mormon Temple
            The Kirtland Safety Society and the 1837 Apostasy

The Mormons in Northern Missouri
            The Mormon War
            The Expulsion from Missouri and Joseph’s Imprisonment

Nauvoo: The City of Joseph
            The Founding and Growth of Nauvoo
            New Revelations and New Directions
            Mormon Politics and the Kingdom of God
            Joseph Smith’s Last Charges and the Nauvoo Expositor

Joseph Smith’s Martyrdom
            The Murder of Hyrum and Joseph Smith
            The Aftermath of the Martyrdom
            Joseph Smith’s Legacy