Joseph Smith

Definition

Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. He was a central figure in the Antebellum Communal Experiments, as he established several religious communities and utopian societies in the early to mid-19th century United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Joseph Smith claimed to have received a divine revelation in 1823, which led him to discover and translate the golden plates that became the Book of Mormon.
2. In 1830, Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which quickly gained a significant following and established several communal settlements in the Midwest and Western United States.
3. The Mormons, under Joseph Smith's leadership, attempted to create a self-sufficient, communal society based on the principles of the Book of Mormon, which emphasized shared resources, collective decision-making, and the establishment of a new Zion.
4. Joseph Smith's teachings and the growth of the Mormon Church led to significant conflict with other religious and political groups, resulting in the Mormons being driven from several of their settlements and the eventual assassination of Joseph Smith in 1844.
5. The Mormon communities established under Joseph Smith's leadership are considered some of the most successful and long-lasting of the Antebellum Communal Experiments, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to exist and thrive today.

Review Questions

• Describe the key events and revelations that led to the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph Smith.
  • Joseph Smith claimed to have received a divine revelation in 1823, which led him to discover and translate the golden plates that became the Book of Mormon, the foundational scripture of the Mormon Church. In 1830, Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which quickly gained a significant following and established several communal settlements in the Midwest and Western United States. The Mormons, under Smith's leadership, attempted to create a self-sufficient, communal society based on the principles of the Book of Mormon, which emphasized shared resources, collective decision-making, and the establishment of a new Zion.
• Analyze the role of Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church in the context of the Antebellum Communal Experiments.
  • The Mormon communities established under Joseph Smith's leadership are considered some of the most successful and long-lasting of the Antebellum Communal Experiments. Smith's teachings and the growth of the Mormon Church led to the establishment of several self-sufficient, communal settlements that aimed to create an ideal society based on the principles of the Book of Mormon. These communities, with their emphasis on shared resources and collective decision-making, exemplified the utopian aspirations of the Antebellum Communal Experiments, even as they faced significant conflict with other religious and political groups, ultimately leading to the assassination of Joseph Smith in 1844.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church on American religious and social history.
  • Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he founded have had a profound and lasting impact on American religious and social history. Despite the conflicts and challenges the Mormons faced under Smith's leadership, the Mormon Church has continued to exist and thrive, becoming one of the most successful and influential religious movements in the United States. The communal experiments and utopian aspirations of the early Mormon communities have also left a lasting legacy, shaping discussions and debates around the role of religion, community, and social reform in American society. While the specific beliefs and practices of Mormonism remain controversial, the influence of Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church on the broader landscape of American religious and social history is undeniable.

Related terms

The Book of Mormon: The foundational scripture of the Mormon Church, which Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from golden plates revealed to him by an angel.

Mormonism: The religious movement and belief system founded by Joseph Smith, which emphasizes the importance of direct revelation, the restoration of the true Christian church, and the establishment of a new promised land.

Utopian Societies: Intentional communities or social experiments that aim to create an ideal society, often with a focus on shared resources, communal living, and the pursuit of spiritual or social perfection.