Chapter 1: Joseph Smith and His Family: 1805–1820

Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805. His family lives in Vermont, USA. Joseph Smith’s father was also named Joseph. His mother’s name was Lucy.

Joseph and his brothers and sisters – Joseph had five brothers and three sisters.

Joseph’s father and mother were good people. They love their children and work hard to raise them.

When Joseph was a child, he suffered from a leg disease that caused him severe pain. Many doctors tried to treat it, but it didn’t get better.

Hyrum Smith was Joseph’s brother. He loved Joseph. Hyrum was distressed to see the pain in Joseph’s legs. He sat by Joseph’s bed, trying to help relieve his pain.

Doctors advocated amputating Joseph’s legs, but his mother wouldn’t let them. So they decided to remove part of the leg bone. Joseph knew his leg must have been in pain while the doctors performed the amputation. But he had faith and knew that Heavenly Father would help him.

The doctor asked Joseph to drink some wine so that the pain would not be unbearable. Joseph would not drink. Joseph asked his mother to go outside. He didn’t want his mother to see the doctor remove his leg bone.

Joseph asked his father to hold him while the doctor cut open his leg. The doctor removed the dead part of the bone, which was very painful. But Joseph was brave. After many days, his legs gradually got better.

When Joseph was a little older, his family moved to New York State. They lived in a log cabin on a farm near Palmyra.

Joseph’s family was poor. They have to work hard to pay for the farm expenses. The boy helped his father with farming and tending to the livestock. The girl helps her mother with housework.

Joseph was a good boy. He is happy, smiles all the time and likes to play games.