10 Fascinating Facts about Joseph Smith

Reflecting on a World Without Joseph Smith

Have you ever paused to consider how your life might differ if Joseph Smith had never been born? Would we still be awaiting the restoration of Christ’s church? What beliefs would guide you? Could families still be sealed for eternity? These thought-provoking questions highlight the monumental influence of Joseph Smith’s life and mission. Fortunately, Joseph Smith Jr. was born and chosen to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, bringing forth doctrines that continue to shape millions of lives. Exploring his life not only deepens our understanding of the restoration, prophets, the Book of Mormon, and Jesus Christ but can also be an enjoyable journey—especially when uncovering surprising facts about this remarkable figure.

In 1,001 Facts About the Prophet Joseph Smith (available at cedarfort.com), I discovered a treasure trove of insights that illuminate both the extraordinary and everyday aspects of Joseph’s life. Below are 10 fascinating facts that might surprise you and enrich your appreciation for his legacy.

1. A Pioneering Medical Procedure

The leg operation performed on Joseph Smith in 1813 when he was seven years old would not be completed successfully on another patient until the early 1900s.

2. A Mother’s Influence on Prayer

Lucy Mack Smith often went to pray in groves near her house even before she lived in Palmyra. It is likely that Joseph learned to pray seriously in the woods from his mother.

3. A Musical Heritage

Joseph Smith Sr. was actually a very talented music teacher. He had a beautiful singing voice. His musical talents were passed down to some of his children, including William and Don Carlos. They often sang together at conferences and other Church meetings later in life.

4. A Prophetic Family Dream

Early in his marriage to Lucy, Joseph Smith Sr. had a dream almost identical to the vision of the tree of life found in 1 Nephi 8 of the Book of Mormon. However, in Joseph Sr.'s dream, he was experiencing it with his own family members and children.

5. The Sacred First Vision

Many of the early Saints never learned about Joseph's First Vision during his lifetime. Joseph knew how sacred his story was, and took it very seriously.

6. A Harrowing Escape with the Plates

After receiving the plates, Joseph Smith Jr. was attacked three times in the woods by three different men on his way home. When he defended himself against the third attacker, he dislocated his thumb, but he did not even realize he was injured until he got home. Once the plates were safe, Joseph Smith Sr. put his son's thumb back in place.

7. A Miscommunicated Warning

Many people criticized Joseph Smith after the Haun's Mill Massacre. They argued that that if he were really a prophet of God, he would have warned the residents of Haun's Mill to leave before it happened. According to Lucy Mack Smith, though, three weeks before the tragedy, Joseph told a messenger to urge the brethren at Haun's Mill to move their families into the city Far West as soon as possible. The messenger was Jacob Haun, who owned the mill. He never relayed the Prophet's warning. 

8. Romantic Sleigh Rides

Joseph loved going on sleigh rides with Emma and their family. It was what they did on "dates" when they were courting. One winter, they went sleigh riding almost daily.

9. Faithful Four-Legged Friends

Joseph Smith had a white mastiff dog named Major for many years before his death.

10. A Revolutionary Lineage

Both of the Prophet's grandfathers, Asael Smith and Solomon Mack, fought with the colonists in the Revolutionary War. Solomon Mack, the Prophet's maternal grandfather, enlisted with his two sons, Jason and Stephen.

Why This Matters

These facts paint a vivid picture of Joseph Smith as both a prophet and a person—resilient, faithful, and deeply human. They invite us to ponder the “what ifs” of his absence: without him, the restoration of Christ’s church, the Book of Mormon, and the sealing of families might not have come to pass as we know them. Studying his life strengthens our testimonies of these truths while revealing the remarkable circumstances that shaped his calling.

If these 10 facts sparked your curiosity, 1,001 Facts About the Prophet Joseph Smith offers 991 more waiting to be explored. For this and other resources to enhance your study of the restoration and Church history, visit cedarfort.com. Joseph’s life reminds us that the restoration was no accident—it was a divine work carried out through an imperfect yet chosen man, forever changing the course of history and our lives.