Joseph Smith, Jr. Monument PDF      Email to a Friend      Printer Friendly Version

The Joseph Smith, Jr. Monument erected by Junius F. Wells Photo courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh

Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805 in the township of Sharon, Vermont, the fifth of eleven children to be born to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. He was responsible for translating the Book of Mormon, ushering in the restoration of the gospel to the Earth, and was described as having, "done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."¹ In 1884, Elder Junius F. Wells along with Spencer Clawson visited the area of the Prophet's birth and Elder Wells conceived the idea to erect a monument to him.²

Under the direction of President Joseph F. Smith, Elder Wells oversaw the construction of a cottage and a granite monument to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith. The monument is a 40-ton, 38½-foot tall monument, one foot representing each year of the Prophet's life. The monument was dedicated by Joseph F. Smith on December 23, 1905, exactly one-hundred-years after the birth of Joseph Smith, Jr. George Albert Smith reported on the event in April Conference, 1906. After the monument was dedicated, Elder Wells remained to oversee the area and gave the following report in August of 1906:

I am nearing the end of my task here, and shall be glad to get through and back home again. The place looks very well now that the grades are made, and the grass is beginning to come up. Many people call; every day, from half-dozen to half a hundred. This testimony in stone is doing its work, removing prejudice and awakening an interest in our cause and people. It will, in years to come, be a place where many Saints will rejoice to come for their summer vacation.³

The monument contains two inscriptions. One side reads "Sacred to the memory of JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, Born here, 23rd December, 1805. Martyred, Carthage, Illinois, 27th June, 1844." The other side reads as follows:

TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH SMITH

In the Spring of the years of our Lord 1820 The Father and Son appeared to him in a glorious vision, called him by name and instructed him. Thereafter heavenly angels visited him and revealed the principles of the Gospel, restored the authority of the Holy Priesthood, and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ in its fullness and perfection.

The engraved plates of the Book of Mormon were given him by the angel Moroni. These he translated by the gift and power of God. He organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the sixth day of April, 1830 with six members. He devoted his life to the establishment of this Church and sealed his testimony with his blood. In his ministry he was constantly supported by his brother Hyrum Smith, who suffered martyrdom with him.

Over a million converts to this testimony have been made throughout the world; and this monument has been erected in his honor to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth by members of the Church which he organized. They love and revere him as a prophet of God, and call his name blessed forever and ever, Amen.

One-hundred-years later, the monument continues to stand today and remains a testimony to Joseph Smith, Jr., Prophet of the Restoration.

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SOURCES

¹ Doctrine & Covenants 135:3.

² Susa Young Gates, "Memorial Monument Dedication", Improvement Era, February 1906.

³ Improvement Era, 1906, October 1906.