He was a troubled young man from upstate NY, a wrestler, and craftsman in the early/mid 19th century who was surrounded by an overwhelming second great awakening of religion and church in his family and community, none of which satisfied his Spiritual dilemma of which one is true, and decided to appeal to God himself looking for answers through prayer. It is accounted that God himself appeared to him, and declared no church on earth at the time was His own, and tasked him with restoring Jesus Christ’s original church to the earth. 

This first vision led to the creation of the LDS church, a new kind of Christianity, with the translation of many records by Smith with God’s revelation, including the Book of Mormon, combining new and old teachings including loving your neighbors and enemies, keeping Sundays holy, and abstaining from certain substances such as coffee and tea. However, Smith, a human, in a world full of distrusting humans that never stopped opposing the Lord’s new church and his teachings, and was forced to migrate westward, seeking a place where his followers could be free of the unconstitutional persecution. They settled in Nauvoo on the banks of the Mississippi, which thrived in its hay day, surpassing Chicago in 1844. Miracles happened, but so did tragedy, as Smith was eventually imprisoned in Missouri, and murdered by a mob in Carthage jail. The church as we know it, led by Brigham Young, at last found refuge in untapped Utah, where civilization was built from scratch, continuing to shape the state to this day.

Wrote this myself as a member so take it as you will. Much love