Joseph Smith Jr's Kevo

During his adult life from the time he began translating the Book of Mormon in 1827 until his death in 1844 Smith introduced a large number of religious teachings. Although a number of his teachings are similar to doctrines circulating during his lifetime, several are unique to Smith.

Nearly all Smith's teachings had some root in the King James Version of the Bible, or his interpretation or elaboration of it. However, he believed in other scripture, and that in some instances, the Bible was translated incorrectly. Thus, he restored temples, orders of priesthood, and other elements of the Bible that he felt had been wrongly abandoned by protestant Christianity as part of a Great Apostasy. Much of this restoration is presented in the Doctrine and Covenants, which is described as modern scripture.

In many cases, Smith's doctrines or interpretations of the Bible, as well as his own revelations, placed him at odds with mainstream Christianity. For example, he publicly rejected mainstream Christianity's long-standing formulation of the Trinity as recorded in the 4th century Nicene Creed.

In what has come to be known as the Wentworth letter, Joseph Smith, Jr. wrote and sent a list of the basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat. These articles of faith were subsequently published in Times and Seasons, a newspaper published by the church (see Articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)).