was Josep Smith poor?

Question

Just wondering as his life was filled with struggle...

Answer 1

Early Mormons practiced "communism" or "communalism" and individual members were neither wealthy nor poor, including Smith.

Answer 2

Early Mormons attempted to practice what is called the "Law of Consecration", which is probably where the above statement miscontrued it to be communism. This practiced was abandoned since Mormons, being just as human as you and me, couldn't quite live a law that required them to give all they had to the kingdom of God. Selfishness and greed and such. The natural man is hard to overcome.

Joseph Smith was never what one would consider wealthy. He did not fabricate the gold plates to sell them. If people would do their history rather than playing the "believe-everything-you-hear" game, you would learn that Joseph Smith never attempted to sell the gold plates. He never receieved a wage for his services to the kingdom of God on earth. And it stands today that none of their ministry is paid...includes those missionaries that knock on everyone's door (just let 'em in and give them a glass of water for cryin' out loud! they're nice! I promise!)

Answer 3

Who was Josep Smith?

Answer 4

He was born into a poor family in 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, USA, the fifth of eleven children.

Because the family was so poor, Joseph received very little education - learning only basic maths and literacy. But he did spend much time in Bible study.

Later the family moved to Palmyra in New York. It was a time of religious revival and the teenage Joseph was not sure which version of Christianity he should follow.....

Answer 5

He was not a rich man by any means. Most members tried to help take care of him, even though he did everything he could to take care of himself and his family. He was constantly being persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, and worse.

Answer 6

Yes I believe he was, that is why he fabricated these Gold Plates, trying to sell them.