Joseph Smith was the founder of the Mormon faith. He was born in New England in 1805, organized the LDS Church in 1830 and was murdered in 1844. In his short life, Smith claimed many visions and revelations. Within Mormonism there is no person who is held in higher esteem than is Joseph Smith the Prophet.
Smith held a pretty high opinion of himself as well. In 1844 he told the members of his Church: "I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet." (History of the Church 6:408-409)
The LDS newspaper, Church News, said, "In the final analysis…the salvation and happiness of men and women will be determined on how each of us has responded to the name and the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith…" (16 July 1994)