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SMITH, Joseph (1805-1844):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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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.