Mormon Beliefs Joseph Smith

What do Mormons believe about Joseph Smith?

Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith; neither is Mormonism a cult built around him. Mormons consider Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805–1844), the founder of the Mormon Church, to be a true prophet. Following what Mormons believe to be divine instruction, Joseph formed the Mormon Church—more properly known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons revere his work and his sacrifice, understanding it to be some of the most important work of the latter-days, and remember him as a martyr for the cause of truth.  He was persecuted mercilessly all his days, yet worked tirelessly to forward the Lord’s work.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ established His church when He was on the earth. This church was directed by Him personally while He ministered on earth, and through revelation to His apostles and prophets after His crucifixion.  The apostles, as recorded in the New Testament, were constantly called upon to correct erroneous ideas which proliferated in congregations of Christians.  Some of these ideas were simple misunderstandings of true doctrine, while others were contrived by prideful men.  Paul predicted that Christ would not come a second time, except there was a general falling away first.  After the death of the apostles, with erroneous ideas spreading and no prophets to replace the apostles, a “great apostasy” occurred.  Men, theocrats and philosophers, legislated doctrine according to their own beliefs, and truth was corrupted.

By the time Joseph Smith was a boy, in America and elsewhere, there were congregations of “restorationists”– those who believed not in the reform of Orthodox Christianity, and not in Protestantism, but in a restoration of Christ’s ancient church and a restoration of lost truth.

Mormon history is interesting, and could possibly begin with the church Jesus Christ built. Mormons believe that the Reformation and the Enlightenment in Europe were steps toward restoring Christ’s Church.  The establishment of America, with its guaranteed freedoms, created an environment where the restoration could survive. The Lord Jesus Christ began in 1820 to restore His church once more to the earth. He did this through the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, at the age of 14, desired to know more about the various religions which were vying for converts in the northeastern United States. Joseph desired to know which sect he should join. In his personal record he wrote:

In the midst of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it? Around this time, I read in the Book of James, first chapter and fifth verse: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

This scripture impressed Joseph in a profound way, and he finally determined to venture and personally ask God which of the sects was correct. He went into the woods and knelt to pray to the Father. It was during this experience that he saw the Father and the Son and began the many years of heavenly instruction which would bring the Church of Jesus Christ again to the earth.  Joseph Smith received heavenly messengers on a regular basis, and the accounts of these visits are as logical as accounts of business meetings.  Most of these messengers were resurrected beings carrying out instructions from God according to their stewardships during religious dispensations on earth.  Therefore, Moroni, the last prophet in ancient America, delivered the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon.  Moses came to Joseph Smith to restore the Aaronic Priesthood.  Elijah came to him to restore the sealing power that binds in heaven and on earth.  Peter, James, and John returned to restore the higher priesthood–the Melchizedek.  And Christ visited him on numerous times to accept His holy temples and to instruct him.  Such visitations are common knowledge in the Church.  Mormons accept the Church’s connection with heaven with gratitude and reason and peace, and without fanfare, mysticism, or sensationalism.

The Church of Jesus Christ (Mormon Church) has now grown to include more than 13 million members living in many nations. The Mormon Church has the same teachings and basic organization as the Church established by Jesus when He was living on the Earth.

Mormons believe Joseph Smith followed the divine instruction He received to bring back the sacred commandments, promises, priesthood authority, and ordinances of Christ’s church. These important revelations allow men and women to be taught, receive salvation, and to eventually live with Christ again.