The name Joseph Smith is commonly spelled using the Latin alphabet, but its phonetic transcription according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is dʒoʊzəf smɪθ. The first syllable is pronounced like the letter "J" and the "o" sound, while the second syllable rhymes with "golf". The last name is pronounced with a "s" sound followed by the "m" sound, and ending with the "th" sound. Joseph Smith is known for being the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was an American religious leader and the founder of Mormonism, a religious and cultural movement that was officially named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Smith was born in Vermont and raised in upstate New York. In his early 20s, he claimed to have received visions and divine revelations that led to the establishment of the Mormon faith.
According to Mormon beliefs, Smith was chosen by God to restore the true church that had been lost from the Earth after the death of Jesus Christ and his apostles. He translated the Book of Mormon, which Mormons consider to be an additional sacred scripture alongside the Bible. Smith also played a key role in organizing the church's administration, introducing new practices like baptism for the dead, temple rituals, and the belief in a literal gathering of God's people in the last days.
Although Smith gained a significant following, his religious teachings and practices were met with controversy and opposition. He faced persecution and imprisonment throughout his life, and in 1844, he was killed by a mob while jailed in Carthage, Illinois.
Despite his untimely death, Joseph Smith's legacy is central to the beliefs and practices of the Mormon faith. His influence can be seen in the growth and global spread of Mormonism, with millions of adherents worldwide.