Joseph Smith Jr.

Founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born in Sharon, Vermont on December 23, 1805. He grew up in Manchester, New York. His wife was Emma. He wanted to know which church was right and prayed in a grove of trees near his house when he was 14. God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared and told him not to join any of the churches. In 1821 an angel appeared to him and told him of some golden plates hidden in nearby hill. He found the plates and translated them into English. The book was published as The Book of Mormon. He was persecuted his entire life, but never denied the things he said he saw. There were other witnesses that confirm they saw the gold plates. Joseph received many revelations during the years and they are recorded in a book called The Doctrine and Covenants. He was martyred in Carthage, Illinois in June of 1844.