The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

JOSEPH SMITH

Joseph Smith was the founder of Mormonism. He was born in 1805 at Sharon, Vermont, USA and died in 1844. He first announced having visions at the age of fifteen, and in 1827 alleged that under angelic guidance had discovered new scriptures which he proceeded to translate, and published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon. In the same year he organised the Mormon church with himself as its president. He governed his followers with a series of 'revelations', the last, in 1843, promoting polygamy. Hostility towards the Mormon church was so intense that in 1844 Joseph Smith and his brother were murdered by an angry mob.
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