Who is Joseph Smith & Why is he so important?

Simply put, Joseph Smith was the Prophet who restored the Lord's church, so I don't think it's accurate to say he was a "founder" of the church as I've read in various places around the internets. So what I do mean by "restored", then? We believe that there was a "great falling away" from the truth as prophesied by Paul to the Thessalonians. So God had to restore the Priesthood (the authority to act in the name of God) and the lost truths. This God did through Joseph Smith. (Mormon.org has a great page that simply explains this "great falling away" or also called "the great apostasy.") Joseph Smith is also very important to us because he translated (not wrote) the Book of Mormon. The Lord commanded ancient prophets to keep a record of His dealings with them and their people and they recorded it on gold plates.

Joseph Smith was born into a period of time when everyone around him was talking about religion. He listened to various preachers of different sects and with all the conflict of opinions and different interpretations of the same scriptures, he was understandably confused. He wanted to know the truth. One night he was reading in the Bible and came across James 1:5 where James says to ask God when we "lack wisdom." Consequently, he went and prayed and did receive a vision from God the Father and Jesus Christ. You can read his story in his own words here.

Many people think that it's pretty crazy to believe that God Himself and Jesus Christ appeared to a 14 year-old farmboy. Well, consider other prophets in the bible. Who was Moses before he became a prophet? In order to be a Prophet, does one have to be highly educated? It seems to me that God calls those who are humble and obedient. Do you remember the end of the old Willy Wonka movie (with Gene Wilder), where Wonka and Charlie are in the glass elevator?

Wonka: How did you like the chocolate factory, Charlie?
Charlie: I think it's the most wonderful place in the whole world.
Wonka: I'm very pleased to hear you say that, because I'm giving it to you. That's alright isn't it?
Grandpa Joe: You're giving Charlie the...?
Wonka: I can't go on forever. And I don't really want to try. So, who can I trust to run the factory when I leave? And take care of the oompa loompas for me? Not a grown up. Grown up would want to do everything his own way, not mine. And so I decided a long time ago that I had to find a child. A very honest, loving child to whom I can tell all my precious candy-making secrets.


I don't know all the reasons that God chose Joseph Smith to be the one to bring the true gospel back to the earth, but I do believe that just as Wonka knew he had to find a humble child to run his chocolate factory, the Lord calls those who are humble to lead and teach in his church because they will do it "His way" and not their own.


Here is a 20 minute film telling the story of this "Restoration" I've talked about.

Do you have any questions for me? Leave a comment!