America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality.
- Adlai Stevenson -

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

joseph smith and the second great awakening.


    The Second Great Awakening was a time of religious revival in America lasting from 1790 to the mid 1840’s. In the Second Great Awakening there was a mass eruption of religion all over the United States. Named after the Great Awakening, which took place over 50 years before but attempted the same religion revival. In the Second Great Awakening, freedom of religion in the States helped move the revival along. Many religions were restored and formed during this time.

One particular restoration that is important to me personally is the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1820, a young 15-year-old boy who was unsure which church he should join, had a vision of an angel sent from God and restored an ancient religion to this earth. Joseph Smith Jr. grew up at the heart of the Second Great Awakening and was surrounded by every religion imaginable. Each religion wanted him to join their church but he didn’t feel like any of the options offered were correct. So after reading James 1:5 in the Bible, Joseph Smith did what the scriptures told him and asked God which church he should join. Slowly but surely, after a chain of glorious and terrible events, Joseph Smith restored the gospel to this earth.
The Second Great Awakening made the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints possible. Because a new freedom of religion erupted throughout the country, Joseph Smith was given the liberty to restore the LDS church to this earth once again. However, I also believe that the Second Great Awakening set many challenges for Joseph Smith. For many people, it was difficult to choose a religion because there were so many options offered. All Joseph Smith had on his side was the knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel and all he could do was hope and pray that others felt what he felt.

Overall I believe that the Second Great Awakening helped the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints possible. Without this religious revival it would have been very difficult for Joseph Smith Jr., a young 15-year-old boy to restore the glorious gospel that is the LDS church. 

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