In American history, he is known as the main ideologist of the religious Mormon movement. However, for many citizens, Joseph Smith was an ordinary adventurer and a false prophet, since not one of his predictions came true. It is noteworthy that this "messiah", who was married to 72 women and did not immediately find his way in life. It is likely that Joseph Smith began to lead one of the largest religious sects due to the fact that, even during his youth, a huge number of religious movements were spread in the United States. In his family, from a formal point of view, all were Christians, but none of the relatives of the future false prophet believed that a particular religion was the ultimate truth. Naturally, they practically did not attend services in the church.
How, then, did an ordinary youth turn from a poor family into an ardent supporter of the Mormon movement? Let's consider this question in more detail.
Years of childhood
Of course, Joseph Smith’s biography is not without interesting and noteworthy facts. He was born in 1805 in the state of Vermont (USA). His father was a simple craftsman, so the family did not live well. As already emphasized, Joseph’s childhood came at a time when tolerance for religious movements dominated in America, of which there were many in the first half of the 19th century. The mother of the future preacher was very superstitious, and she aroused her interest in mysticism from her own son. One way or another, but already at the age of 14, young Joseph Smith saw a vision in which otherworldly forces informed him that he would be a "great missionary."
Treasure hunter
Soon the young man declared that he had unique abilities: supposedly with the help of magic crystals he could find wealth buried underground. He especially believed in the power of the "mascot of Jupiter."
However, he did not find any treasures, and the public hastened to report that the transcendental fascination with the occult sciences negatively affects his psyche and critical thinking, as a result of which he gradually loses the ability to perceive real reality. After such life failures, the future messiah embarked on a criminal path, taking up counterfeiting, as did his namesake - George Joseph Smith, who lived at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and hunted for serial killings, fraud, and theft. But a young man from the state of Vermont after some time turned off the criminal path, fully concentrating on the idea of missionary work. But the Briton George Joseph Smith, who killed all his wives, finished very poorly - he was sentenced to death by hanging. But problems with the law also occurred with the Mormon ideologist.
Another vision ...
In the fall of 1823, Joseph Smith came into contact with otherworldly forces during night prayers. It was as if he saw a light that was getting bigger, and suddenly a subject (Moroni) appeared in the young man’s bedside, in a white mantle, whose legs were torn off the ground ... He told Joseph that he must obey God's command.
The stranger told Smith about a certain Golden Book, which reflects the entire history of the United States, and it also contains important religious revelations. Only four years later was the Mormon ideologist able to see the book.
In 1827, at the behest of higher powers, the missionary went to the top of Mount Kumora (New York State) and in one of the caves he found thin sheets of gold, on which hieroglyphs were clearly visible. Optical artifacts were also found through which, thanks to the prompts of an angel, the Golden Book was translated into English. As a result, in 1830, a book of Mormon was published in the amount of 5,000 copies.
Sect creation
Shortly after the publication of religious revelations in Fayette (New York), a Mormon sect was created , originally consisting of six people. After some time, the number of the "new trend" began to increase: authoritative Protestants - Sidney Rigton and Parley Pratt joined the ranks of the Mormons. However, not all members of society were loyal to the “newly made” religious structure. Joseph Smith's sect was sometimes contemptible and persecuted, so its followers were forced to regularly change their place of residence. Representatives of the new faith have established several cities where the "son of God" should appear.
The views of the sectarians
The whole philosophy of the Mormon movement is enshrined in several “holy books”: “Bible”, “Teachings and Unions”, “Book of Mormon”, “Precious Pearl”. The associates of the new faith do not believe that a person has a sinful beginning, and after death he will have underground, earthly or heavenly glory.
Mormons have long preached the principle of polygamy, which they subsequently “abolished” under the pressure of American authorities. Until now, polygamy is considered by them as a normal and natural form of human existence. Representatives of the new faith accept the baptism procedure (deliverance from sins and admission to church members) instead of the deceased.
Mormons carefully monitor their appearance and cultural appearance. They are neat, polite, intelligent and clean.
Killing an ideologist
Many Americans did not like the idea of polygamy, so they sharply criticized the views and beliefs of the new faith. After the general public became aware that sectarians were encouraging a “harem” line, the media began to actively “procrastinate” this topic. As a result, Joseph Smith (Mormon) made an attempt to physically kill the “sharks of the pen,” who worked in the Browser Novo periodical. The police were forced to intervene, and the Mormon ideologist, along with his relative Hyrum, were jailed. However, the Americans demanded more severe punishment for the sectarians.
Once, they broke into a prison to judge missionaries on their own. As a result of the shootout, the Mormon leader was killed.
Sectarians today
The brainchild that Joseph Smith created was considered by the Presbyterian Church to be a false religious movement because its representatives did not see in themselves the sinful beginning. However, Mormons are currently the largest religious community in the world. The number of representatives of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" today is almost 7 million people. Mormon missionaries are actively promoting their ideas, involving more and more people in the sect.