First Mormon Joseph Smith, Jr.'s Pulpit Rhetoric: The King Follett Discourse.

This article examines the pulpit rhetoric and theological development of Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805–1844), founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), with a particular focus on his 1844 King Follett Discourse. Despite Smith's limited formal education and early oratorical inexperience, his narrative-based rhetoric—centered on claimed personal interactions with heavenly beings—played a crucial role in articulating Mormon doctrine and attracting followers. The King Follett Discourse, delivered shortly before Smith's assassination, presents his most distinctive and controversial teachings, including the ideas that God was once a man and that humans can progress to godhood, which diverged sharply from traditional Christian beliefs. The article situates Smith's rhetoric within Walter Fisher's narrative paradigm, suggesting that Smith's storytelling offered "good reasons" that resonated with listeners and contributed to the rapid growth and enduring influence of Mormonism. It also notes the polarized historical and contemporary responses to Smith's ideas, ranging from condemnation to recognition of his impact as a religious innovator.