Final answer:
The provided information does not explicitly state Joseph Smith's view on the specific sin plaguing his generation, but context suggests it could relate to greed, societal injustice, and moral failings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked about the teaching of Joseph Smith regarding the plaguing sin of his generation. While the provided text does not explicitly state Joseph Smith's view on the specific sin plaguing his generation, it gives context on Smith's life, the foundation and persecution of the Mormon Church, and broader societal issues related to money and racial tensions. Given this context, it would be reasonable to infer that issues like greed, societal injustice, and the failure to live up to Christian morality could be what Smith viewed as plaguing sins. However, the precise answer to what Joseph Smith considered the plaguing sin of his generation might be found in his sermons or other writings specific to his teachings and is not explicitly provided in the information given.