41 Interesting Facts about Joseph Smith

Dan August 28, 2023

Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844) was an American religious leader and the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, commonly known as Mormonism. Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, Smith’s life was marked by his claims of divine revelations and the establishment of a new religious tradition.

Smith’s early life was influenced by his family’s religious beliefs and the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening. He claimed to have experienced a series of visions and divine visitations, including a visitation by God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820, known as the First Vision.

In 1830, Smith published the Book of Mormon, which he said was a translation of ancient records written on golden plates. This marked the official founding of the Church of Christ, later known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Smith’s teachings included unique doctrines such as the belief in ongoing revelation and the restoration of priesthood authority.

Smith faced opposition and persecution from various quarters, leading him to move his followers from place to place, including Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. In Nauvoo, Illinois, he established a thriving community and introduced religious practices such as temple ordinances and plural marriage, which stirred controversy.

Tensions escalated, and Smith was arrested and imprisoned multiple times. On June 27, 1844, he and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob while in jail in Carthage, Illinois. Despite his short life, Joseph Smith’s influence on American religious history is profound, as he laid the foundation for one of the fastest-growing and distinctive religious movements in the United States.

What about Joseph Smith interesting facts? Here are 41 interesting facts about Joseph Smith.

1. Joseph Smith Jr. was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont.
2. He was the third of eleven children in his family.
3. Smith’s family was involved in farming and faced financial challenges throughout his childhood.
4. He claimed to have had his First Vision in 1820, during which he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
5. Smith reported receiving further divine revelations and visitations, leading to the establishment of the Latter-day Saint movement.
6. In 1827, Smith said he found a set of golden plates buried in a hillside, which he translated into the Book of Mormon.
7. The Book of Mormon was published in 1830 and is considered a foundational scripture of the LDS Church.
8. Smith organized the Church of Christ on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York.
9. He was known as a charismatic and energetic speaker, attracting followers to his religious movement.
10. Smith introduced the practice of baptism by immersion and other distinctive teachings.
11. He claimed to have restored the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, granting authority to administer ordinances.
12. Smith and his followers faced persecution and hostility in various places, leading to their migration from state to state.
13. The Mormons settled in Kirtland, Ohio, and later in Nauvoo, Illinois.
14. In Nauvoo, Smith introduced new religious practices, including endowments and baptism for the dead.
15. He also introduced the practice of plural marriage, which later became a controversial aspect of Mormon history.
16. Smith was a prolific writer and delivered many sermons and discourses to his followers.
17. The LDS Church grew rapidly under Smith’s leadership, but it also faced opposition and conflict.
18. He was arrested multiple times on charges related to his religious teachings and practices.
19. Smith’s presidential campaign in 1844 aimed to address issues of religious freedom and constitutional rights.
20. He was killed by a mob while in jail in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844, at the age of 38.
21. After Smith’s death, leadership of the LDS Church passed to Brigham Young, who led the Mormon pioneers to Utah.
22. Smith’s legacy includes his role in shaping Mormon theology, scripture, and religious practices.
23. His revelations were compiled into the Doctrine and Covenants, another scripture of the LDS Church.
24. Smith’s wife, Emma Hale Smith, played a significant role in the early history of the church.
25. The role of women in the LDS Church and its history remains a subject of discussion and debate.
26. Smith’s life and teachings gave rise to various branches of the Latter-day Saint movement, each interpreting his legacy differently.
27. The Community of Christ (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) diverged from mainstream Mormonism and follows a different theological path.
28. Smith’s childhood home in Palmyra, New York, is a historic site visited by many Latter-day Saints and tourists.
29. The First Vision and Smith’s experiences are central to the identity and beliefs of the LDS Church.
30. Critics of Joseph Smith point to controversies in his life, including his use of a seer stone and the practice of polygamy.
31. Supporters of Smith see him as a prophet who restored Christianity to its original form through direct revelation.
32. Smith’s legacy has influenced a wide range of artistic, scholarly, and religious interpretations.
33. His name is synonymous with the foundation of the Latter-day Saint movement and the history of American religious pluralism.
34. Smith’s story has been the subject of biographies, academic studies, films, and cultural discussions.
35. The Salt Lake Temple, dedicated in 1893, is one of the most iconic temples of the LDS Church and stands as a symbol of Smith’s legacy.
36. Joseph Smith’s life and teachings continue to shape the lives of millions of Latter-day Saints worldwide.
37. His leadership and revelations have had a lasting impact on the development of Mormonism and its various denominations.
38. The Joseph Smith Papers Project, initiated by the LDS Church, aims to publish Smith’s documents and writings in a comprehensive edition.
39. Smith’s personality, character, and motivations remain subjects of scholarly inquiry and interpretation.
40. His legacy is celebrated annually by the LDS Church on December 23, known as Joseph Smith’s birthday.
41. Joseph Smith’s life and the movement he founded remain subjects of study, devotion, and controversy, embodying the complex interplay of faith, history, and human aspiration.

Joseph Smith’s life is a tapestry woven from threads of divine revelation, religious innovation, and human complexity. His journey from a young visionary in upstate New York to the founder of a distinctive religious movement transformed the course of American history and shaped the lives of millions. While his legacy is one of faith, inspiration, and devotion for his followers, it also evokes intense discussions and debates within and beyond the Latter-day Saint community. Joseph Smith’s story is a testament to the power of individual conviction, the enduring allure of spirituality, and the boundless capacity of human beings to seek meaning and purpose. His influence continues to ripple through time, prompting reflections on the nature of prophecy, community, and the pursuit of the divine.