Joseph Smith (Mormonism)

Joseph Smith was the founder of Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Born in 1805, he reported that in 1820, he experienced a divine vision in which God and Jesus Christ appeared to him. He claimed to have been called to restore the original Christian church and translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates he said were given to him by an angel named Moroni. Smith led the early Mormon movement, establishing communities, teachings, and scriptures distinctive to the faith. His leadership and revelations shape Mormon beliefs about God, Jesus, and the path to salvation.