Okay, let's talk about who started Mormonism. You've probably heard the term "Mormon" thrown around, maybe seen missionaries in white shirts, or even visited Salt Lake City. But when you ask "who is the founder of Mormon?" things get interesting fast. I remember visiting Nauvoo years back and being stunned by how much controversy still surrounds this guy. Was he a prophet? A fraud? A product of his time? Honestly, it depends on who you ask.
The Man Behind the Movement: Joseph Smith's Early Years
So who is the founder of Mormon? His name was Joseph Smith Jr., born in 1805 in Vermont. Picture this: dirt-poor farming family, constantly moving for work, no formal education beyond basic reading. By 14, he's in upstate New York during the Second Great Awakening – basically a religious free-for-all with preachers shouting damnation on every corner. Joseph later claimed this chaos left him deeply confused about which church to join.
Here’s where things get wild. At 17, Smith said an angel named Moroni led him to buried golden plates in a hillside near Manchester, NY. Yeah, golden plates. With "Reformed Egyptian" writing. He translated them using "seer stones" – basically rocks he put in a hat claiming divine light illuminated the text. Look, I've seen replicas at the Church History Museum, and honestly? The whole rock-in-a-hat thing still feels bizarre to me.
Key Controversy Alert: No one else saw the plates directly. Witnesses only saw them covered or "with spiritual eyes." Even as a history buff, this gap makes me raise an eyebrow. Why no physical evidence?
Joseph Smith Timeline: The Founder's Formative Years
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1805 | Born in Sharon, Vermont | Eldest of 11 kids in impoverished family |
| 1820 | First Vision (age 14) | Claimed God/Jesus appeared in woods near Palmyra, NY |
| 1823 | Angel Moroni appears | Announced location of golden plates |
| 1827 | Obtained golden plates | Began translation near Harmony, PA |
| 1830 | Published Book of Mormon | Officially founded Church of Christ (later LDS Church) |
Building Zion: From New York to Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois
After publishing the Book of Mormon in 1830, Smith gathered followers ("Saints") to build "Zion." But trouble followed them:
- Kirtland, Ohio (1831-1838): Built first temple here. Fun fact – you can still tour it today at 7809 Kirtland-Chardon Rd, open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Free entry. But their bank failed spectacularly in 1837 amid fraud accusations. Ever seen a religious group run a bank? Me neither.
- Missouri (1838-1839): Disaster. Governor Boggs ordered Mormons "exterminated or driven out." Why? Settlers thought Mormons were abolitionists (they weren't) and hated their bloc voting.
- Nauvoo, Illinois (1839-1846): My personal favorite historical site. Riverside town Smith designed himself. Address: 1290 Temple St, Nauvoo, IL. Summer hours 9am-6pm. They built another gorgeous temple here... while Smith secretly practiced polygamy despite public denials. Bold move.
Speaking of polygamy – yeah, we gotta address it. Smith married at least 34 women, some as young as 14, others already married. He called it "celestial marriage" but kept it hidden for years. When his newspaper exposed the practice (the Nauvoo Expositor), Smith had the press destroyed. That didn't go well.
Places Where the Mormon Founder Shaped History
Smith Family Farm, Palmyra NY
📍 Address: 843 Stafford Rd, Palmyra, NY 14522
🕒 Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM (Closed Sun)
💰 Cost: Free (Guided tours available)
✨ Features: Sacred Grove (First Vision site), log cabin replica
Carthage Jail, Illinois
📍 Address: 307 Walnut St, Carthage, IL 62321
🕒 Hours: Daily 9AM-7PM
💰 Cost: Free (Donations accepted)
☠️ Dark Tourism Note: Actual site where Smith was murdered
The Violent End: How Joseph Smith Died
After destroying that printing press, Smith was arrested for treason and jailed at Carthage. On June 27, 1844, a mob with painted faces stormed the jail. Smith tried jumping from the window but was shot multiple times. He died saying "Oh Lord, my God!" – now a Mormon liturgical phrase.
Why did neighbors hate him so much? Let's be real:
- Political power: Smith ran for US President in 1844
- Theocracy vibes: He crowned himself "King of the Kingdom of God"
- Polygamy rumors (later proven true)
- Economic control: Mormons dominated local trade
Visiting Carthage Jail gave me chills. Bullet holes still visible in the door. The whole martyrdom narrative feels intense when you stand in that room.
Aftermath: Legacy of the Mormon Founder
So who is the founder of Mormon post-mortem? Depends which faction you ask:
| Group | Current HQ | Membership | View of Joseph Smith |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDS Church (Brighamite) | Salt Lake City, UT | 16.8 million | Prophet who restored true church |
| Community of Christ (RLDS) | Independence, MO | 250,000 | Inspired but flawed early leader |
| Fundamentalist LDS (FLDS) | Hilldale, UT/CO | 10,000 | True prophet whose polygamy doctrine was abandoned wrongly |
Brigham Young took most followers west to Utah. But Emma Smith (Joseph's first wife) stayed behind with their kids, helping form the RLDS church (now Community of Christ) which rejected polygamy and gradually moved toward mainstream Protestant views.
Modern Dilemma: The LDS Church still calls Joseph Smith "the Prophet," but quietly distances itself from his sketchiest stuff. Their website now admits polygamy happened but frames it as a painful sacrifice. Having met lifelong Mormons who only learned about Smith's 34 wives as adults... that cognitive dissonance is real.
Hot-Button Questions About the Mormon Founder
Did Joseph Smith Really Translate Ancient Records?
Smith claimed to translate:
- Book of Mormon: From "Reformed Egyptian" on gold plates. No linguist recognizes this language.
- Book of Abraham: From Egyptian papyri. Modern Egyptologists confirm it's standard funerary texts, not what Smith claimed.
- Kinderhook Plates: Later proven 19th-century hoax.
Why Do People Still Debate Who Founded Mormonism?
Because Smith's story keeps evolving. The First Vision wasn't even taught until 1840 – 20 years after it supposedly happened. Early accounts contradict the official version. Honestly? It feels like the story got refined over time for PR purposes.
Why Understanding the Mormon Founder Matters Today
Knowing who the founder of Mormon is explains why modern LDS Church:
- Spends millions on historical sites like Nauvoo
- Has hierarchical leadership claiming direct prophetic succession
- Faces ongoing tension between history and faith
Top Resources to Learn More About the Mormon Founder
- Joseph Smith Papers Project (josephsmithpapers.org) – Church-sponsored documents (surprisingly transparent!)
- "No Man Knows My History" by Fawn Brodie – Critical 1945 biography still banned by BYU
- Church History Museum (45 N West Temple St, SLC) – Free admission, opens 9AM-9PM weekdays
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Joseph Smith the Only Mormon Founder?
Technically yes, but Brigham Young's leadership after 1844 was crucial. Without Young's Utah colonization, Mormonism might have fizzled. Still, all factions trace authority back to Smith.
How Old Was Joseph Smith When He Founded Mormonism?
He was 24 when he officially organized the Church of Christ on April 6, 1830. Crazy young to start a global religion.
Why Was the Mormon Founder Killed?
Short answer: Politics and religious intolerance. Long answer: His destruction of a critical newspaper combined with fears he'd use the Nauvoo Legion (his private army) against Illinois citizens. Mob mentality took over.
Are There Relics of the Mormon Founder?
Yes! The Community of Christ has Smith's original handwritten manuscript of the Book of Mormon in Independence, MO. The LDS Church owns one of the seer stones he used for translation – displayed occasionally in Salt Lake.
What's the Most Controversial Thing About the Mormon Founder?
Polygamy, hands down. Especially his marriages to teenagers (Helen Mar Kimball was 14) and other men's wives. Modern Mormons really struggle with this legacy.
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