Joseph Smith: Answers to Top Questions About the Mormon Founder

Few figures in American religious history spark as much debate as Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement who claimed divine visions, translated the Book of Mormon, and introduced polygamy before his violent death at 38. This article cuts through the noise to answer the most common questions about Smith, from his teenage wives to his final moments.

Born: December 23, 1805 ·
Died: June 27, 1844 (age 38) ·
Known as: Founder of Mormonism ·
Number of wives: Estimated 30–40 ·
Number of children: 11 ·
Age at death: 38

Eight key facts about Joseph Smith, drawn from major reference works:

What is Joseph Smith famous for?

Founder of Mormonism

• Smith organized the Church of Christ in 1830, later known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Wikipedia).
• The movement now claims over 17 million members worldwide.

Prophet and translator of the Book of Mormon

• Smith said an angel named Moroni directed him to buried golden plates in upstate New York. He published the Book of Mormon in 1830 as a translation of those plates (Encyclopaedia Britannica summary).
• He claimed to have received a series of revelations, many of which became part of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Polygamy and controversy

• Smith introduced the practice of plural marriage, sealing himself to an estimated 30–40 women (The Guardian).
• Publicly, he denied polygamy at times, but later historical accounts describe secret plural marriages in Nauvoo (Wikipedia).

Martyrdom

• Smith was killed by a mob while in jail in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844 (PBS American Experience).
• His death is observed by many Latter-day Saints as a martyrdom.

Why this matters: Smith’s combination of prophetic claims, polygamy, and violent death created a movement that has persisted for nearly two centuries while remaining a source of intense debate.

Did Joseph Smith believe he was Jesus?

Smith’s self-identification

• Smith consistently claimed to be a prophet, not Jesus Christ. He taught that Jesus Christ is a separate being and the Son of God (Wikipedia).
• Some early critics accused him of claiming divinity, but historical records do not support that interpretation.

Teachings on Jesus Christ

• Smith’s theology emphasized a distinct Godhead: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as separate beings.
• He saw himself as a restorer of original Christianity, not a reincarnation of Christ.

Criticisms and misunderstandings

• Rumors that Smith declared himself Jesus likely stem from anti-Mormon pamphlets of the 1830s and 1840s.
• No credible source from Smith’s own writings or speeches claims he was Jesus.

The trade-off: Smith’s claim to be a prophet with unique authority naturally invited accusations of self-deification, but the evidence points to a man who believed he was a divinely called servant, not the Messiah.

How many underage wives did Joseph Smith have?

Definition of underage in the 19th century

• In the 1840s, the age of consent in Illinois was 10, and marriage at 14 was not unusual.
• Modern standards define underage as under 18, which complicates historical judgment.

List of known wives under 18

• Helen Mar Kimball was sealed to Smith in 1843 at age 14 (Joseph Smith’s Polygamy).
• Eliza R. Snow was 16 when she married Smith in 1842.
• Other teenagers include Lucy Walker (16) and Sarah Ann Whitney (17).

Historical debate on consent and consummation

• Britannica notes that no known children came from Smith’s plural marriages, leaving open the question of whether these were consummated (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
• Some historians argue the marriages were “eternity-only” sealings; others believe physical relations occurred.

The pattern: The exact number of underage wives remains disputed, but the core fact—that Smith married teenagers—is not in contention among mainstream historians.

What led to Joseph Smith’s death?

Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor

• In June 1844, Smith, as mayor of Nauvoo, ordered the city council to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper that had printed a single issue critical of his polygamy and political power (Wikipedia).
• The destruction was deemed a violation of press freedom and led to charges of treason.

Arrest and imprisonment

• Smith was arrested and jailed in Carthage, Illinois, on June 25, 1844, along with his brother Hyrum (PBS American Experience).
• Governor Thomas Ford had promised protection, but the jail was poorly guarded.

Mob attack at Carthage Jail

• On June 27, 1844, a mob of about 200 men stormed the jail. Smith was shot multiple times and died after falling from a second-story window (PBS American Experience).
• Hyrum Smith was killed first. The assassination is widely seen as the result of growing anti-Mormon sentiment in Illinois.

Why this matters: Smith’s death cemented his status as a martyr among his followers and galvanized the Mormon exodus to the West under Brigham Young.

What disease did Joseph Smith have?

Childhood illness (typhoid fever?)

• At age 7, Smith suffered a severe leg infection (osteomyelitis) that nearly killed him. Doctors performed a risky surgery without anesthesia (Joseph Smith’s Polygamy).
• He walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

Adult health issues

• Smith had recurring health problems, including symptoms consistent with malaria and other infections.
• Historical accounts mention “bone disease” but the specific diagnosis remains uncertain.

Leg surgery and recovery

• Surgeons removed pieces of bone from his leg; the operation was long and painful.
• Smith’s health was generally poor throughout his life, which may have contributed to his intense religious experiences.

The catch: While we know Smith had a serious leg infection, the exact medical condition is not definitively recorded. The lack of modern diagnostic tools leaves room for speculation.

Timeline: Key events in Joseph Smith’s life

• 1805 – Joseph Smith born in Sharon, Vermont (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
• 1820 – First Vision in Palmyra, New York.
• 1823 – Angel Moroni visits; shown location of golden plates.
• 1827 – Receives the golden plates.
• 1830 – Publishes Book of Mormon; organizes Church of Christ (Wikipedia).
• 1839 – Moves to Nauvoo, Illinois; becomes mayor.
• 1844 – Destruction of Nauvoo Expositor; arrest and death at Carthage Jail (PBS American Experience).

The pattern: Smith’s life was marked by rapid religious development and escalating conflict, culminating in his violent death.

What we know for sure — and what remains unclear

The implication: The historical record leaves room for interpretation, but the core facts are established.

Voices on Joseph Smith

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.”

— Joseph Smith, describing his First Vision (Encyclopaedia Britannica summary)

“Joseph Smith is a much criticized polygamist. He dictated an 1843 revelation about ‘celestial marriage’ that included endorsement of polygamy.”

— PBS American Experience (PBS American Experience)

“I have no doubt that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I have seen his works and his fruits.”

— Brigham Young, successor to Smith

“Smith was a man of immense charisma and ambition, but also of deep contradictions. He believed in his own revelations while simultaneously deceiving those closest to him.”

— Fawn Brodie, historian and biographer (Encyclopedia.com)

Joseph Smith remains a lightning rod in American religious history. For the millions who follow the Latter Day Saint movement, he is a prophet who restored the gospel. For skeptics, he is a charismatic figure who built a religion on questionable claims. The evidence, however, is clear on one point: Smith’s life and death shaped a movement that continues to grow, adapt, and wrestle with its own history. For the LDS Church in the 21st century, the choice is straightforward: confront the uncomfortable details of its founder’s polygamy and underage marriages transparently, or risk losing credibility with a generation raised on open access to historical records.

Frequently asked questions