Early Life, Background of Joseph Smith, Jr. 

Joseph Smith, Jr. was born December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont (what is today South Royalton) to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith. Joseph was born into a farming family, whose ancestors were New England farmers as well, emigrants from England to Massachusetts in the 17^th century. 

Joseph was one of nine children, having five brothers and three sisters. Joseph did not have much of a formal education. He was, however, instructed in reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Most of his childhood was spent near Palmyra, New York, where he was surrounded by frequent and fervent religious excitement. The many differing views and outspoken preachers deeply perplexed Joseph Smith about which church was correct. The teenager Joseph wanted to join a church, but all he heard were differing opinions, each minister claiming his church to be the correct one. Joseph wrote, 

In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? (Joseph Smith--History 1:10) 

Of the religious contention, Joseph wrote, 

Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, “Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist. (Joseph Smith--History 1:5) 

In 1838 Joseph wrote a brief history of his life. From this record, Mormonism draws much of its information about the first Prophet of the restored Church of Christ. The above quotation is part of that history, as well as the record Joseph kept of the first event that brought about the establishment of the Mormon Church. In 1820, the fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith read in the New Testament, 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5) 

Thinking of his own plight with religion and desiring to know the will of God, Joseph decided to take the advice in this chapter. He went into the forest behind his home and knelt and sought the Father in earnest prayer. According to the record of Joseph Smith and Mormon belief, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph, instructing him that none of the churches on earth was correct. This heavenly manifestation is what is known as The First Vision. From that point on, what is known today as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gradually came into existence. Joseph Smith received various other visits from heavenly messengers, instructing him on what he should do to bring about the restored, complete gospel of the Lord to the earth. When the time was right, the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God, and the official priesthood of the Lord was renewed to the earth; this authority allowed Joseph to organize the Church. 

In 1825, while engaged in gold and silver pursuits in New York and Pennsylvania, Joseph Smith met his future wife, Emma Hale, and they became engaged. The two were married on January 18, 1827. With Emma at his side, the Prophet Joseph would go on to serve the Mormon Church until his death on June 27, 1844.