Why did Joseph Smith create Mormonism?

Answer 1

It was not Joseph who founded the Mormon religion, he was only an instrument in Gods hands. When a boy of about 14 years of age Joseph Smith became confused as to there being so many religions all professing to be Gods church. There was a passage in James chapter 1 verses 5 and 6 which caught his eye. "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God..."

Joseph did just that, he went to a wood near his home and prayed that he might know which church was the right one. He was visited by God the father and His son Jesus Christ, and was told not to join any of them for they were all wrong.

Joseph was told of very ancient writings contained upon thin gold plates. It was the history of early American peoples who came out from Jerusalem and settled the Americas. It told of Gods dealings with these people, of their wars and contentions, until finally after many years only one people were left. The remnant of these people are the American Indians.

These golden plates which Joseph was allowed to translate by the power of God later became known as The Book of Mormon, Mormon being the last prophet to edit the records of these early American peoples.

The Book of Mormon goes hand in hand with The Bible, and confirms many truths which are contained in the Bible, but also adds to it many other precious truths which have been left out.

It was Christ who named the church as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, He being the head of the church. Joseph was the first prophet in this last dispensation. To this day the church has never been without a prophet to lead the church through inspiration from on high.

Robert

Addition from another user on 4/9/2012: It should be noted that the above answer is not the only potential answer to this question. Joseph Smith's motivations have been questioned widely. He was brought to court and convicted of money-digging (a con that involved charging people to tell them where they could find treasure), meaning that he was actively working as a con man at the time he was "creating" this new religious sect. It is interesting, and perhaps telling, that this type of "envisioning" is similar to how Joseph Smith allegedly heard the word of God. Although I am far from an authority on this subject, 10 minutes of research were all it took to find preliminary evidence that casts serious doubt on Robert's response. I'm not saying I'm right, but I think it is fair for anyone who sees the above response to know that there are varying opinions and they should research them further. Regardless of what you ultimately conclude for yourself, this should not be your last stop in answering this question.

Answer 2

Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the true Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth as it had been lost and its truths corrupted over the 2000 years since Christ was first on the earth. He received revelation and prophecy to guide the people of the world in this day. Though it is widely accepted among most christian sects that "the heavens are closed' and the cannot or need not be any further revelation because the bible contains all that we need to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is simply not true. God had many prophets throughout time and has never and will never cease guiding his children and bringing forth his prophets to bring them unto repentance. Joseph Smith was brought forth in a day when the world was ripe to accept the truth, Many thousands of people were searching for the truth among the competing religions of the day. Joseph asked directly which of the churches were true and christ told him that none of them were.

Though all of the churches contained some truth none of them contained the entirety of the truth, even the bible has been changed according to the dictates of man over the centuries so that it has lost a great deal of scripture and truth. The King James version of the bible is at least the most doctrinally correct.

Answer 3

In 1820, during the Second Great Awakening, Joseph Smith was a teenager. Some of his family had joined a Methodist Church, and some a Presbyterian Church. They had also studied with Baptists and Unitarians. Joseph wanted to join a church as well but wasn't sure which was was right. He had spoken with the ministers and pastors in his area, but was confused at how they could all teach different doctrines and still substatiate their teachings with the Bible.

While studying the Bible he came across James 1:5, which says "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally..." Joseph decided to do just as the Bible directs, ask of God.

He went to the woods near his home and began to offer his first vocal prayer - to ask God which church he should join. He soon saw a light decend and in it were two personages. One called Joseph by name and said "This is my Beloved Son, hear Him." Jesus Christ then instructed Joseph not to join any of the churches, because they had all apostasized from true Christianity. He then explained that the true Church of Jesus Christ would be restored to the earth through Joseph, and that further instruction would be given later.

Between the years 1823 and 1830, that further instruction was recieved, and on April 6, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized.

Why did Joseph Smith start the "Mormon" religion? He did not start it he restored it, he was called of God to do it.

You can read Joseph's personal account of these events or watch a short online movie portraying them at the "Related Links" below.

Answer 4

He received visions from the Angel Moroni that told him of a religion that was true to all others, years later he found the golden tablets on which was recored that aincent history of the Americas

Answer 5

Joseph Smith wanted to know which church was the true church of Jesus Christ. There were several christian churches in the area where he lived....each contradicted the other in one way or another. Joseph ( a boy of 14 yrs) went Into the Woods to pray and asked the Lord which church he should join. In response God the Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and through Joseph Smith was the true church of Jesus Christ restored to the earth.

Incredible yes! Hard to believe? True? Absolutely. Better check it out for yourself. Go to LDS.org.

Answer 6

Joseph Smith was the leader of the Mormons because he was the founder of the movement and his followers believed that he was a prophet. As a teenager, he claimed that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and declared that true Christianity and God's priesthood authority had been lost from the earth. Other Biblical figures then guided him in restoring the truth to the earth. In his early 20's, and angel led him to buried metal plates engraved with sacred writings, which he translated into the Book of Mormon. He then founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church). The Church faced much persecution and Joseph lead them from New York to Ohio to Missouri to Illinois, where he was murdered.

Answer 7

Each member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) has their own individual reason for why they personally believe the story, revelations, and teachings of Joseph Smith. The majority of Church members have simply felt the Spirit of God testify to their hearts that it is true. For some this conclusion came simply, and for others it required years of study and prayer. Some have taken a more scientific approach, and have studied the life, teachings, revelations, and story of Joseph Smith to the point that they have realized they can't disprove it.

As any person of faith knows, faith and belief require no physical reason or scientific evidence, only a personal conviction. Church members believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet for the same reason they believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World - they have developed a personal convicton that it is true.

Answer 8

The short answer is because God told him to.When Joseph Smith was a teenager, there was a religious awakening in the area where he lived, with many different churches. Members of his family had joined many different churches including Methodists, Presbyterians, and Unitarians. He knew that because each was so different, only one could be right, and prayed to ask God which church to join. He was answered with a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ instructing him to join none of them, because none had the full truth. Over the next decade and beyond, he received may spiritual visions and visitations from Biblical prophets who restored to him the doctrinal truths and priesthood authority that was had in the New Testament church, and followed their direction and instruction in organizing what is now the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church).

Answer 9

He didn't write it. God gave him the power to translate it from it's ancient language.

Answer 10

If Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, as some scholars have inferred, he did so with the intent of founding a new religion with himself as leader.