 He taught that it was his mission to restore a true priesthood, but at the time, he acquired no followers.In 1830, Smith published the Book of Mormon, which he characterized as a religious history of the indigenous people of the Americas.This book contained discussions and sermons teaching many traditional Christian doctrines, such as the idea that Jesus' death represents an atonement for the sins of humanity, that he was the Messiah, and that he was one with God the Father.