Joseph Smith
1805–1844 · American (Sharon, Vermont) · Second Great Awakening
Known for: Founded Mormonism at 24, claimed to translate golden plates from an angel, built a religious movement that now has 17 million members
Joseph Smith Jr. founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) after claiming that the angel Moroni directed him to golden plates buried in a New York hillside, which he translated as the Book of Mormon. Published in 1830, the book described ancient Israelite civilizations in the Americas and established Smith as a prophet.
He built thriving communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, attracted thousands of followers, and introduced controversial doctrines including plural marriage (polygamy), temple ordinances, and the potential for humans to become gods. He was murdered by a mob at age 38 while jailed in Carthage, Illinois, becoming a martyr for his movement.
What Joseph Smith would be watching
The “if they lived today” Q&A on this page gives Joseph Smith The Prince of Egypt (1998) as a favourite film. Their reason: “Moses was called by God to lead his people. I relate.” Rankquant scores it above 81% of films, drawn from 318 IMDb reviewers individually re-centred rather than averaged raw. The full film & TV rankings are built the same way.
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