SMITH, Joseph (1805-1844):
American visionary and founder of MORMONISM. He claimed to
have begun receiving spiritual VISIONS in 1820. As a result of the religious confusion
created by competing SECTS he published The Book of Mormon (1830) which he said
was translated with the help of an ANGEL from REFORMED Egyptian hieroglyphics written on
golden plates. On April 6th 1830 he founded the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY
SAINTS. Teaching the importance of continuing REVELATION, he subsequently published Doctrine
and Covenants (1835) and The Pearl of Great Price (1851) which together with
The Book of Mormon provide the basis for the Church's doctrine and organization.
Opposition to the practice of POLYGAMY, which he began openly teaching in 1843, led to his
arrest and murder by a mob in 1844.