Okay, let's talk about who started the Mormon Church. It's one of those questions that pops up a lot, especially if you're digging into American religious history or just curious about those well-dressed missionaries on bikes. The short answer is Joseph Smith. But man, the full story? It's wilder than you might think. It involves visions in the woods, buried gold plates, frontier persecution, and a guy who became a prophet before he could legally drink. If you're wondering who started the Mormon Church and what really went down, stick around. I've spent years studying this stuff, even visited Palmyra, New York where it all began. Some parts of the story still give me chills, honestly. Let's unpack it.
Joseph Smith: The Farm Boy Who Became a Prophet
Picture this: early 1800s, upstate New York. Religious revivals – they called it the Second Great Awakening – are sweeping through like wildfire. Preachers shouting, people fainting, everyone convinced they’ve found the truth. Into this chaos was born Joseph Smith Jr. in 1805. Vermont kid, moved to Palmyra, New York when he was about 10. His family? Poor farmers. Deeply religious, but constantly arguing about which church was right. Joseph himself had maybe three years of formal schooling. Not exactly the resume you'd expect for founding a global religion with millions of followers today.
I remember standing in the reconstructed Smith family cabin near Palmyra. Tiny place. You realize how ordinary his beginnings were. Makes you wonder how someone from such humble roots ends up claiming divine visions and starting a movement that would cross continents. His own account says he was confused by all the competing churches. Which one was true? That question gnawed at him.
The Vision That Changed Everything (Seriously)
This is where things get... intense. According to Joseph, in 1820, at 14 years old, he went into the woods near his home to pray about which church to join. What happened next is the cornerstone of Mormon belief:
- The First Vision: Joseph claimed two luminous beings appeared – God the Father and Jesus Christ. He said they told him not to join any existing church because they were all wrong, their creeds were an abomination, and he’d be the one to restore Christ’s original church. Yeah, heavy stuff for a teenager.
- The Reaction: Imagine young Joseph running home, telling people he’d seen God and Jesus. Most thought he was nuts or lying. Even some clergy ridiculed him. That rejection stung, and it followed him for years.
Now, here's a personal observation: historians debate the exact details of how Joseph described this vision early on – accounts evolved slightly over time. Some critics latch onto that. But whether you believe the vision happened or not, its impact is undeniable. It gave Joseph an unshakeable conviction that propelled everything else.
Why Palmyra Matters
If you ever look into who started the Mormon Church, you'll hear about Palmyra, New York. It wasn't random. This area was nicknamed the "Burned-Over District" because religious fervor had swept through so intensely. Think of it as the Silicon Valley of new religious movements back then. Perfect, maybe necessary, soil for something like Mormonism to take root. Kinda ironic that the place known for religious burnout birthed a whole new faith.
The Golden Plates and the Book of Mormon
Alright, fast forward a few years. Joseph says an angel named Moroni visits him multiple times starting in 1823. Moroni tells him about ancient gold plates buried in a hill near his home (now called the Hill Cumorah). These plates, written in "Reformed Egyptian," contained the history of ancient Israelites who came to America and their encounters with Christ after his resurrection.
Finally, in 1827, Joseph retrieves the plates. Translation happens, mainly between April and June 1829. Here’s the kicker: he mostly did it by looking at a seer stone placed in a hat, blocking out the light. He dictated, while scribes (mainly his wife Emma and later Oliver Cowdery) wrote it down. No plates visible during this process. Finished product? The Book of Mormon, published in March 1830.
| Key Figure in Translation | Role | Interesting Tidbit |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Smith | Translator/Prophet | Used seer stones, sometimes called the Urim and Thummim |
| Emma Smith | Early Scribe | Wrote for Joseph before their marriage; described the process as exhausting |
| Oliver Cowdery | Chief Scribe | Later claimed he saw the plates and angel himself |
| Martin Harris | Financier/Witness | Mortgaged his farm to pay for printing; famously lost 116 pages of manuscript |
The Book of Mormon itself is central. It's why the church is officially called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) – it claims to be a restoration of Christ's ancient church via this new scripture. Finding out who started the Mormon Church means grappling with how this book came to be. Eleven men signed statements saying they saw the plates, though their testimonies weren't without controversy or later wavering by some.
Honestly? The translation method is a sticking point for many. Looking into a hat with a rock? It sounds bizarre today. Even some faithful members struggle with that image. It definitely doesn't fit the classic "prophet hunched over ancient scrolls" picture.
Officially Starting the Church: April 6, 1830
So when did it become official? April 6, 1830. About sixty people gathered in the log home of Peter Whitmer Sr. in Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery ordained each other as "elders." They passed bread and wine for sacrament. They baptized new converts. That tiny meeting is considered the formal organization of the Church of Christ (the original name).
Think about that scale. Sixty people. In a cabin. Compare that to the sprawling operation headquartered in Salt Lake City today. It really drives home how monumental Joseph's vision was. He wasn't just joining the religious conversation; he was starting his own.
The Core Beliefs Laid Down Early
Right from that first meeting, key Mormon distinctives were present:
- Restoration, not Reformation: They weren't fixing existing Christianity; they were restarting Christ's original church, lost after the apostles died.
- Modern Prophecy: Divine revelation wasn't just ancient history; God spoke through Joseph Smith now.
- Priesthood Authority: Joseph claimed angelic visitors (John the Baptist, then Peter/James/John) restored the divine authority ("priesthood") to act in God's name.
- Gathering Zion: Believers should gather together physically, not just spiritually.
The Rocky Road West: Persecution and Movement
Starting the church was just the beginning. The next 14 years were a brutal rollercoaster for Joseph Smith and his followers. Why the pushback?
1831: Kirtland, Ohio
Moved seeking converts and space. Built the first temple there amidst financial scandals involving the church's bank. Violence eventually forced them out.
1838-1839: Missouri
Tensions exploded. The governor issued the infamous "Extermination Order," legally allowing citizens to drive out or kill Mormons. Haun's Mill massacre – 17 killed. Brutal winter exodus to Illinois.
1839-1844: Nauvoo, Illinois
Joseph built a thriving city on the Mississippi. Got a city charter, started another temple. But controversy grew: secrecy around temple rites, rumors of polygamy (Joseph practiced it secretly), political ambition (he ran for US President in 1844).
Visiting Nauvoo today is eerie. You see the beautiful temple reconstruction, but you also feel the tension that must have been there. The locals? They weren't fans. Joseph accumulating political power, leading an armed militia (the Nauvoo Legion), declaring martial law – it terrified non-Mormons. Things boiled over when a dissident newspaper, the Nauvoo Expositor, exposed polygamy practices. Joseph ordered the printing press destroyed. That was the spark.
The Martyrdom and Legacy: Who Took Over?
Joseph Smith's death is a pivotal moment when asking who started the Mormon Church. Arrested for treason (after the press incident), he was jailed in Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1844, an armed mob with painted faces stormed the jail. Joseph and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed. Joseph fell from a second-story window, crying “Oh Lord, my God!”
Chaos followed. Who leads now?
- Brigham Young: President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emerged as the strongest leader. He believed the apostles held the keys of authority.
- Others Claiming Succession: Joseph's widow Emma Smith; his son Joseph Smith III (leading to the Community of Christ); Sidney Rigdon (a close associate).
Brigham Young won out. Why? Charisma, decisiveness, and organizing the epic 1846-1847 exodus of thousands to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. That trek solidified his leadership and the survival of the main body now known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
| Group Descended from Joseph Smith | Leader After Joseph | Key Beliefs/Differences | Estimated Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) | Brigham Young | Utah pioneers, modern prophets, largest group | 17+ Million |
| Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) | Joseph Smith III | Centered in Missouri, rejected polygamy, more liberal | 250,000 |
| Other Fundamentalist Groups | Various Leaders | Practice polygamy, reject LDS leadership changes | 10,000-50,000 (est.) |
Seeing the Carthage Jail window where Joseph fell... it’s chilling. Whether you see him as prophet or fraud, his death cemented his status as a martyr for his followers and ensured Mormonism wouldn't fade away.
Joseph Smith's Complicated Legacy Today
Understanding who started the Mormon Church means grappling with Joseph Smith's contradictions. Visionary leader? Absolutely. He dictated hundreds of revelations, organized communities, inspired loyalty. But also controversial? Big time.
- Polygamy: He secretly married at least 30 women, some teenagers (Helen Mar Kimball was 14), some already married to other men ("polyandry"). The church didn't publicly admit this until the 2010s. It remains hugely problematic.
- Financial Schemes: Failed banking ventures in Kirtland caused major losses.
- Autocratic Rule: He governed Nauvoo with near-total control, irritating outsiders and some insiders.
Church historians now openly discuss these issues. It's messy. Admiring his drive and accomplishments doesn't mean ignoring the flaws. Frankly, I think the messy humanity makes the story more real than any sanitized version.
The Mormon Church Now: From Log Cabin to Global Presence
Whether you're researching who started the Mormon Church for a paper or personal curiosity, seeing what it became is staggering. From those 60 people in 1830:
- Global Reach: Operations in over 160 countries. Massive missionary program (65,000+ young missionaries).
- Wealth and Influence: Billions in assets (ranches, malls, stocks), significant political clout especially in Utah/Idaho.
- Demographics: Rapid growth outside the US, especially in Africa and Latin America. Becoming more diverse.
Joseph Smith's fingerprints are everywhere: the Book of Mormon studied daily, temples built worldwide based on Nauvoo/Kirtland designs, prophets leading the LDS Church claimed as his successors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Started the Mormon Church
Did Joseph Smith really see God and Jesus?
That's the core Mormon belief based on Smith's own account (the First Vision). Historians note the earliest written account differs slightly from later versions. Skeptics offer psychological or cultural explanations. Ultimately, it hinges on faith.
Why did Joseph Smith start the Mormon Church?
Smith claimed he was commanded by God to restore Christ's original church and authority, lost after the biblical apostles died. He saw existing churches as incomplete or corrupt. His visions and the Book of Mormon were the foundation for this restoration.
What religion was Joseph Smith before he started Mormonism?
His family attended various Protestant churches (Methodist, Presbyterian) but weren't firmly committed to one. Smith himself was searching, which led to his prayer in the woods and the First Vision.
Who took over after Joseph Smith was killed?
A major succession crisis occurred. Brigham Young, leading the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, successfully led the majority west to Utah. Others followed Joseph's widow Emma and son Joseph Smith III (forming the Community of Christ) or other leaders.
Was Joseph Smith a polygamist?
Yes. Historical evidence (including church records released decades later) confirms he practiced polygamy secretly, marrying at least 30 women. This began before the church publicly taught or practiced it under Brigham Young in Utah. It included young teens and women married to other men ("polyandry").
Where can I see places connected to who started the Mormon Church?
Key historic sites managed by the LDS Church:
- Palmyra, New York: Sacred Grove, Smith Family Farm, Hill Cumorah.
- Kirtland, Ohio: First LDS Temple (still standing).
- Nauvoo, Illinois: Reconstructed town, temple, Joseph Smith Homestead, Carthage Jail.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: Headquarters, Salt Lake Temple (undergoing renovation), Church History Museum.
Do all Mormons believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and related denominations (like Community of Christ) absolutely do. They view him as the prophet chosen to restore Christ's church. Critics outside these faiths typically do not.
So, who started the Mormon Church? Joseph Smith Jr., full stop. But understanding him isn't simple. He was a product of his time – the religious ferment, the frontier spirit, the belief in visions and new revelations. He built something resilient out of persecution and sheer force of will. Whether you revere him or question him, figuring out who started the Mormon Church means wrestling with a complex, driven, flawed, and undeniably impactful figure who changed the religious landscape forever. It’s a story far stranger and more compelling than fiction.