Joseph Smith, father, husband, son, and more importantly the founder of The Church of Latter day Saints was born on December 23, 1805 to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith in Sharon, Vermont. In 1817, at the age of twelve, he and his family, made of eleven brothers and sisters, moved to a place called the “Burned over district” in Western New York, where he would do many things including form a religion known as Mormanism. Joseph’s early years where influenced largely by his father, Joseph Smith Sr. Joseph Smith Sr. was a strange man known for spending most of his time digging, with his sons, for treasures buried deep in the earth. It was believed that in his deep search for treasure Joseph Smith Sr. would even use magical forces, frowned upon during his age, to try to discover treasures. This, however, would later come back to haunt Joseph Smith Jr. as people like Michael Quinn would later write, “Joseph Smith, the founding prophet and president of the new church organized on 6 April, 1830, had unquestionably participated in treasure seeking and seer stone divination and had apparently also used diving rods, talismans, and implements of ritual magic.” This would later be proven true as on March 20, 1826 New York vs. Joseph Smith Joseph Smith would be convicted guilty of peep-stone gazing episodes. Although some might use this as evidence against the life of Joseph Smith it is unknown to a large majority of people and would not affect much since it was before his ministry truly began. In 1820, against popular belief, is when joseph’s story truly begins. As recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, God the Father and God the Son Speak appear to Joseph through a celestial vision. They Report to him that they where unhappy with the way t... ... middle of paper ... ...ately I have found that I have a great deal of respect for most who follow the Mormon faith and look forward to hopefully becoming friends with a person who is a Mormon. Works Cited Braswell, George W. Understanding Sectarian Groups in America. Nashville, TN: Broadman, 1986. Print. Hander, Jeff. "Joseph Smith: American Prophet." PBS. PBS, Mar.-Apr. 2003. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1985. 187-202. Print. Mead, Frank S., and Samuel S. Hill. Handbook of Denominations in the United States. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1995. Print. Smith, Joseph. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LDS Church, 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. Smith, Lucy. "Improvement Era." History of the Prophet Joseph. Vol. 5. Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1902. 257. Print.
Mormonism and its effect on Mason’s life was surprisingly not very influential. In the 1840’s, Mormonism was on its westward journey and eventually landed some followers in California. Being a slave to a Mormon apostle Amasa Mason Lyman and his 8 wives heavily impacted Biddy Mason’s view on religion (P.434). Being constantly around a faith that was fairly new didn’t completely rub off on Biddy, instead she went against the stream and aided the spread of proud African American culture by opening that Methodist church. Since the church, she opened was the first black church, it gave many opportunities for strong black communities that wasn’t restricted by the Mormon faith. Biddy Mason travelling against the stream of the influence of religion got many to follow her through her opening of the
How far was smith to blame for Mormons trouble? Smith founded the religion so in some ways it was all his fault if their was no religion the Mormons wouldn't be in any trouble and
Kenney, Scott. A. "Joseph F. Smith," President. McConkie, Bruce R. Mormon Doctrine. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1886. Newell, Linda King & Avery, Valeen.
Parishioners often ask me if there is really any difference between United Methodist and the Baptists down the road. The answer, “quite a lot,” generally surprises them. When they ask me to explain, I often point them in the direction of our polity and the theology it reflects.
...shall, eds. Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia. New York, New York: ABC-CLIO, August 10, 2010. Print.
Joseph was ordained into the priesthood in 1951. He was considered a highly knowledgeable theologian and was appointed a professor in 1958. His writings defended the Catholic doctrine and values.
Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 19(1), 69-84. Heim, D. (1996). The 'Standard'. Phil Jackson, Seeker in Sneakers. Christian Century, 133(20), 654-656.
On April 6, 1980, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormon Church) was founded. [It is interesting to note that according to Mormon doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 20:1), April 6 is the birthday of Jesus Christ.] 10 years prior to this event, in 1820, fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith knelt in a quiet grove in upper New York state and prayed for guidance in choosing a church to join. According to LDS historical records, his prayer was answered by the visitation of two heavenly personages. One, the Heavenly Father, spoke to him and said, pointing to the other, "This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
In between this time he talked about how they became rich and how they lost it and how they became rich again and lost it. He also talked about their trips to different places and they also talked about Slade and Indians and Mormons, which brings me to my topic. My report is on the Mormons and their history, their part in the book and many other things.The Mormons have been a group for over 40 years and they have hated "Gentiles" for their whole existence because wherever they go they are hunted or chased by these "Gentiles". Joseph Smith was the founder of the Book of Mormons and the religion of Mormonism. After being kicked out of everywhere they finally settled in Ohio. There they built a church and they stayed there for a while.
"Growth of the Church - LDS Newsroom." LDS News | Mormon News - Official Newsroom of the Church. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
The Oatman’s adventure began as a result of their decision to join a new sect of the Mormon faith. This particular belief, whose followers were named Brewsterites, had its roots in Kirtland, Ohio around 1836. A young boy, about ten years old, named Colin Brewster, showed promise in the eyes of Joseph Smith, the great Mormon prophet. Many had already noticed the boy’s “gift for seeing in vision distant objects not seen by the natural eye” (McGinty 40). Eventually, Brewster’s vision of a round table lead to his acceptance as “a prophet, a seer, a revelator and translator” (McGinty 31), by Joseph Smith Sr. and two other church elders, one of which was referred to as Lord.
...leased from prison, Mathews continued his quest for religion by seeking Joseph Smith of the Mormon society, under the alias Joshua the Jewish Minister. The two had a heated discussion of resurrection and reincarnation. On the other hand, Matthews claimed to be both God and the reincarnation of the apostle Matthias. However Matthews his meeting with Smith was unsuccessful because both prophets believed the other was of the devil. Matthews’ s religious journey albeit chaotic and aberrant now serves as subconscious guide for how new religious movements and cults in present day America.
Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. N.Y. 1999
Chief Joseph was part of the tribe called the Nez Perce, which was a hierarchal religion (a religion which exercises authority). He was born in Wallowa Valley, on March 3, 1840. The esteemed chief was originally named Hin-mah-too-lat-kekt, which translates to Thunder Rolling Down a Mountain (“Chief Joseph Biography” A&E). He was baptized at the Lapwai Mission where he took the Christian name Joseph, after his father, Joseph The Elder (“Chief Joseph Biography” N.p). The Nez Perce were hunters and gatherers, until they settled down in 1855, when Joseph the Elder signed a treaty with the US government. Joseph the Elder died in 1871, and Joseph was appointed Chief. Their tribe called themselves the Nimipu, which means “The Real People” while the Americans labeled them the Nez Perce. (Sutclifffe 6). His tribe had always gotten along relatively well with the Americans and they even aided the American Military in the Yakima War. In 1877, six years after Joseph the Elder died, General Oliver Otis Howard threatened to attack and force Chief Joseph and his band out of their reservation.
Boyd, Gregory A., and Paul R. Eddy. Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.