Who were the key people in the creation of the Mormon church?

Answer 1

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) believe that the Church is lead by Jesus Christ through modern prophets. The first of these prophets was Joseph Smith. After the Church was officially organized in 1830, he was the president of the Church until his murder in 1844. After he was murdered there was some controversy over who should succeed him, until Brigham Young was appointed the president after the Church had arrived in Salt Lake City in 1847. Brigham Young died in 1877, and John Taylor was appointed Church president in 1880. After John Taylor's death in 1887, Wilford Woodruff served until 1898. At Wilford Woodruff's death, Lorenzo Snow became president. He died in 1901.

Church presidents during the 1900's and 2000's are:

Joseph F. Smith (1901-1918)

Heber J. Grant (1918 - 1945)

George Albert Smith (1945 - 1951)

David O. McKay (1951 - 1970)

Joseph Fielding Smith (1970 - 1972)

Harold B. Lee (1972 - 1973)

Spencer W. Kimball (1973 - 1985)

Ezra Taft Benson (1985 - 1994)

Howard W. Hunter (1994 - 1995)

Gordon B. Hinckley (1995-2008)

Thomas S. Monson (2008 to present)

Answer 2

It depends on what you are referring to.

Important people in Mormonism are God and Jesus Christ (of course); Biblical prophets (Adam, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, etc); Book of Mormon prophets; and modern prophets. Aside from God and Jesus, most Mormons might answer Joseph Smith (the founder of Mormonism) or Brigham Young (a very influential early leader).

Check out the "Related Links" below, which might help you get an idea of some important people in Mormonism.

Answer 3

The Mormon Pioneers were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were seeking religious freedom by gathering to 'Zion' (Utah) in 1845-1870. They came from many places, mostly the Eastern United States, Canada, and Europe.

Answer 4

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) believe that their church was organized by Joseph Smith Jr. through direct revelation and visitations by Jesus Christ and various Biblical men who restored to him the doctrine and authority of Biblical Christianity. Many Mormons might say that aside from Joseph Smith, they key people in the creation of their church were Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Peter, James, John the Revelator, Elias, Elijah, and the angel Moroni.

However aside from Biblical figures, many supported Joseph Smith and made the creation of the church possible. First was Joseph Smith's parents and siblings. They were very supportive of Joseph and were some of the first baptized into the church. His father became the first Patriarch of the church, his brother Samuel was the first missionary, his brother Hyrum was a constant support by his side, and the other siblings and mother were always supportive in serving and preaching in the church whenever possible.

Joseph's wife Emma was another key person. She transcribed some of the translation of the Book of Mormon, put together the first hymn book of the church, and was always supportive of Joseph through all the trials he faced as a controversial public figure.

Oliver Cowdery was an early supporter, he transcribed much of the translation of the Book of Mormon, was one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and served as an Apostle, Elder, and Assistant to Joseph Smith in the leadership of the Church. He, with Joseph Smith, was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist, and was also the first to be baptized into the Church.

The Whitmer family was supportive of Joseph as well. Their home in Fayette, New York was the place where the church was officially organized. Peter Whitmer Sr. and his sons became witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Martin Harris also assited Joseph in transcribing the Book of Mormon translation. He sold his large farm in order to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon, and lost his wife because of this. He was also one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon.

The Knight family were also key in the creation of the Mormon church. They supported Joseph as the Church was organized, assisting with the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon wherever they could.

Sidney Rigdon was an early convert who served as a church leader and scribe for Joseph. Prior to his conversion, he was a Stone-Campbellite preacher, and most of his congregation converted to Mormonism with him.

WW Phelps was another early convert who served as assistant and scribe to Joseph, as well as serving in many other church capacities. He wrote many of the church's hymns and printed the church newspaper and other documents.

The Pratt brothers were also early converts. Parley Pratt was a very influential missionary and baptized many later church leaders. Orson Pratt was also a missionary and served as a writer and historian in the early church.

Of course there are many others who were influential people in the early days of Mormonism, but these are some of the biggest names who were with Joseph as the Church was organized and who joined the church in the first year of it's existence.