How Did Mormonism Begin?

He continued by explaining that the figures were God the Father and Jesus the Son, manifested with physical flesh and bones (Mormons describe this as a heavenly body which everyone will have).  Joseph purportedly asked the “Personages” which of all the sects (churches) to join.  He was told to join none of them, as they were all wrong and that their creeds were an abomination.  They told him that the church built by Christ was no longer on earth and that he would be the one to restore the true church.

Joseph would soon be visited by “heavenly messengers” who would prepare him to restore the church.  They rendered him authority to organize it.  Then in 1823 he received a visit from an angel named Moroni who spoke of a record containing ancient inhabitants on the American continent.  The angel revealed the complete gospel of Christ to Joseph.  He told him how many believed but did not have the fullness of truth.  They lacked priesthood authority to baptize and perform other essential laws.  Everyone was in a state of apostasy and had been for years…until now.  Joseph would restore the once glorious church.

In September 1827 Smith received a record written on plates of gold.  Moroni led him to Hill Cumorah in New York where he supposedly found the gold plates.  They were written in what Smith described as “Reformed Egyptian.”  A plaque at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, reads, “Just as prophets before him, Joseph Smith received revelation from the Lord that became scripture.  A heavenly messenger brought the Prophet Joseph Smith ancient writings on gold plates, which he translated by the gift and power of God.  These sacred writings about the Savior are found in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Since Christ’s church was lost to apostasy, it needed to be restored to earth.  This “restoration” would again allow everyone to receive the gospel of Christ.  On April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York, under the directorship of Joseph Smith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was officially organized.  This is the “history” as taught and believed by millions of Mormon followers.