By Jack Shirts
BYU Studies contributed efforts and research to a newly-launched Joseph Smith Web site in the form of a listing of daily events in the life of Joseph Smith.
?This is just an incredible compilation as far the information on the daily events with links to personal writings of Joseph Smith, BYU Studies publications and the scriptures online,? said Eden Rasmussen, Web editor for BYU Studies. ?To have that all available online for no fee is amazing.?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched josephsmith.net July 14. The site was created as a collaborative effort by employees in the Church History Department and other members of the church that the department sought out.
Project manager of information technology at the Church History Department, Natalie Overson, said her department was aware of BYU Studies? research on Joseph Smith.
?We felt the daily events portion was great for people to understand more of Joseph?s life on a daily basis,? Overson said. ?We wanted people to see him not just as a man, but as a prophet of God, even in the day to day monotonous points of life. He had a huge influence.?
The daily events section of the Web site represents a substantial effort that people can use for personal, family and church use.
?No matter how much knowledge of the prophet?s life a person may already have, this chronology will give new insights into the rich and active life of Joseph Smith,? said Kelsey Draper, a research assistant on the project. ?Even events that are already familiar may strengthen one?s testimony and understanding when considered in this new context, whether sequentially, one by one, or comprehensively, as a whole.?
Overson said the site was not necessarily designed to commemorate the 200th birthday of the prophet, but was created to offer a resource for members to more easily access and research information on Joseph Smith.
?Josephsmith.net takes the most authoritative statements about the role of the prophet in restoring the gospel and consolidates them into one location,? said Steven Olsen, a director in the Church?s Family and Church History Department.
While the daily events portion is a great resource, the site also includes basic facts, quotes, photographs and multimedia tours of LDS Church history sites, maps, artwork, and copies of authentic documents written by Joseph Smith.
?There are many people seeking more knowledge about Joseph Smith, and this is a great place to find that,? Overson said. ?Perhaps most important is that this site helps people understand that we don?t worship Joseph Smith. By following his teachings and reading of his life, people will come to know Christ better.?