Those Who Knew LDS Prophet & Mormon Founder Joseph Smith 1/3

http://JosephSmithMormon.com has articles and details about the life of the prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) was the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons call him a prophet because, according to the traditional role of prophets recorded in the Old and New Testaments, he relied on revelation from God for teaching the people, and not on his own wisdom or learning.

In 1820, at the age of fourteen, Joseph was deeply perplexed about which church he should join, and the conflicting preaching of many religious ministers increased his uncertainty. Members of his immediate family were drawn to the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. Joseph was determined to know which of the many religions was right. After reading a passage in the Bible in the Book of James, instructing any who lacked wisdom to "ask of God" (James 1:5), Joseph decided to turn directly to God for guidance.

Early one morning in the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a secluded wood to ask God which church he should follow. As he was praying, as he recounted later, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. This experience is called the First Vision in Mormonism and considered a pivotal event in the history of humankind, second only to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The importance of the event hinges on its definition as the beginning of the restoration of Christ's true gospel on earth, which was lost upon the death of the original apostles.

Later, in 1823, Joseph Smith said he was also visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him of an ancient record containing God's dealings with the former inhabitants of the American continent. Joseph was shown the forest location of the record's hiding place by the angel. However, he was also told that he should wait another four years before being able to obtain the record, and that until then he should return each year to the same place to receive further instructions. In 1827, Joseph was finally able to retrieve the record, which was inscribed on golden plates. Shortly after obtaining these golden plates, Joseph Smith began translating its words by the "gift of God."

The result of his translating efforts became known as the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which was published in March of 1830. Following the publication of the Book of Mormon, on April 6, 1830, the prophet finally organized the Church and became its first president.

Information from http://www.mormonwiki.com

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[alexrad1]

dum dum dum dum dum

[lds9999]

Another intelligent comment from alexrad.

[Illiknight]

Ummm the answer to that 1st question is clearly Abraham Lincoln....

[lds9999]

Depends on who you ask apparently!

[lds9999]

The different parts to this video are under the "Video Response" section!

[flowerheimer]

Love to ya, lds9999! Keep 'em coming!

I second what Omiolo wrote. From that great hymn, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah"!

[mardelnmike]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring video series on Joseph Smith. I know that he was truly a servant of the Lord and a prophet of God!!

You will bless the lives of many thru these videos!

[wtalady]

Thank you LDS9999, This was so good.

[2MormonGirl]

I saw this video at the place where he died.. i forgot what it's called. :) it's an amazing video!

[moparmonster1965]

I see we forgot the 'Jewish minister' Joshua again.

[nurser11]

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.

[curbsidehighrocks]

lol

[alexrad1]

one does not have to be intelligent when dealing with mormons :O

[TrueSaintsLDS]

Abe, tho lead a good life, pales in comparison.

[joedirt1903]

Great Video, I'm surprised that I haven't seen it until now.