Joseph Smith Boyhood Home

Joseph Smith lived in this home for five formative years in his youth. Many of the earliest events of the Restoration happened here. In this home, Joseph Smith learned to work, read scripture, and pray from the examples of his parents. It was while living here that Joseph Smith first wondered about the state of his soul and about which church he should join. It was here that, while reading scripture, he determined to offer the prayer that led to his First Vision. It was also in this home that the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith in the upstairs room and gave him instruction on where to locate the plates containing the Book of Mormon.

In the winter of 1818–19, the Smith family moved into this small log home on the edge of their new farm. Although the original log home no longer exists, archaeological excavations revealed its location, and 2,000 artifacts dated to the time the Smith family lived there. Applying the same methods, materials, and tools used in the construction of the original, an authentic recreation of the log home now stands on the original location.

Joseph Smith’s oldest brother, Alvin, was particularly interested in what Joseph had learned from Moroni’s visits. Just before Alvin’s death, he told Joseph, “I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the Record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and in keeping every commandment that is given you” [in Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 87]. Alvin passed away on November 19, 1823, just two months after Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith. Joseph obtained the record from Moroni at the Hill Cumorah in 1827.

Read more about the events that happened in Joseph Smith’s Boyhood Home in Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 3.

What to Expect

 The Joseph Smith Boyhood Home (or Log Home) is part of the guided tour given by missionaries of the homes on the Smith Family Farm. Tours begin at the Sacred Grove Welcome Center.

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