Eminyakeni engamakhulu amabili edlule, ngokusa kwentwasahlobo yangonyaka ka-1820, uJoseph Smith esemncane, efuna ukwazi ukuthi wayengajoyina liphi ibandla, waya ehlathini ukuyokhuleka maduzane nakubo esifundeni saseNew York esisenyakatho, eMelika. Wayenemibuzo emayelana nokusindiswa komphefumulo wakhe futhi wayethemba ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayezomnika umyalelo ngalokho.