Did you know that Joseph Smith is responsible for creating one of the world's dominant religions? Joseph Smith is well known as the first prophet of the religion commonly known as Mormonism. He lived only 38 years and accomplished a lot during this time. From this essay you will learn why he should be considered an American hero - something I sincerely believe. Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805. He was born into the Smith family, consisting of his father Joseph Smith Sr., his mother Lucy Mack Smith, and three other children named Alvin, Hyrum, and Sophronia. He was the fifth of eleven children in the Smith family. They lived in Sharon, Vermont, and moved to West Lebanon, New Hampshire. Early in Joseph Smith's life, around the age of seven, he began to manifest his "extraordinary character." (lds.org, Life and Ministry of Joseph Smith) He was infected with typhoid fever during an epidemic, along with the rest of his family. Although most others recovered, Joseph Smith contracted an infection in his left leg. He had to undergo surgery to recover, and he bravely faced the operation. He recovered, although he had to use crutches for several years, and showed a limp for the rest of his life. The family moved to Palmyra, New York, after repeated crop failures. The Smith family was of the Christian faith. However, the family noticed that Christian churches lacked key tenets of the religion. At the time, there were "several different Christian denominations trying to gain converts." (lds.org, Life and Ministry of Joseph Smith) Joseph Smith did not know what to do, or more precisely, what church denomination was right for him. Because of this,...... middle of paper... ...f a lot today. For these reasons, I consider Joseph Smith an American hero. Works Cited “Joseph’s Three Greatest Accomplishments.” Dave's Mormon Investigation. Typepad, 30 12 2005. Web. November 12, 2013. .I used this because it summarizes information from hard to find and/or paid sources, see "Dave's Mormon Inquiry" http://mormoninquiry.typepad.com/mormon_inquiry/2005/12/josephs_two_b. html "Topics". LDS: Joseph Smith. LDS Church, 21 2 2012. Web. November 12, 2013. .LDS, . “Teachings of Joseph Smith: The Life and Ministry of Joseph Smith.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nd Web. November 5 2013. .