Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
Dates
- Existence: 1805 - 1844
Biography
Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) was a prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805, to parents Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. He was the fifth of eleven children. He worked on the family farm in Vermont and later in western New York. A series of remarkable spiritual experiences prepared him for his prophetic calling. Beginning in 1820 at Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision. Through revelation, he translated and published the Book of Mormon, organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, and received revelations to guide the Church. By inspiration, he called Apostles and other Church leaders, defined doctrines, and taught the principles and ordinances that would lead to exaltation. Under his leadership, Latter-day Saints founded communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. He was sustained as First Elder of the Church on April 6, 1830. On June 27, 1844, at Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith died a martyr to his faith.
Citation:
Book of Mormon. Japanese. Morumon-kyō, 1909 (1950 printing): t.p. (Josefu Sumisu [in Japanese])Book of Moemon. Armenian. Girkʻ Mōrmōni, 1937: t.p. (Kart. Chōzēf Smitʻh)
Britannica.com, Oct. 13, 2010 (Joseph Smith, originally Joseph Smith, Jr. (b. Dec. 23, 1805, Sharon, Vt., U.S.; d. June 27, 1844, Carthage, Ill.), prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The Book of Mormon, 1830: title page (Joseph Smith, Junior)
Doctrine and covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, 1835: title page (Joseph Smith, Junior)
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, page 1331 (Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), the Prophet Joseph Smith, founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; born December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont; moved to Palmyra, N.Y. in 1816; founded the Church in Fayette, N.Y. April 6, 1830; migrated with the Church to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831; then to Far West, Missouri in 1838; finally to Nauvoo, Ill. (which he founded) in 1839; killed by a mob in Carthage, Ill. June 27, 1844)
Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:
Edwin Charles Cox papers
Handwritten notes, musical scores, an obituary, and excerpts from an autobiography. Cox writes mostly about his life in England during the 1830s and 1840s. His writings include a "Dialogue between Joseph Smith and the Devil."
David and Ira P. Hale papers
Collection includes the originals, photocopies, and digital scans of a ledger used by David Hale and two notebooks used by Ira P. Hale. Also includes a photocopy and a typescript of a letter from Lorenzo D. Wasson, Emma Smith, and a third author to David Hale. The handwriting may be from Joseph Smith, but it is unsigned. Original documents date from 1827 to 1888.
Hancock County records
Film contains 22 items, including three collections: Nauvoo court records; Eudocia Marsh's Mormons in Hancock County : a Reminiscence; and the Strangite Papers, 1851-1963.
The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois
Noel B. Pratt letters and announcements
Material relates to his spiritual writings and beliefs, including his belief in the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon, and his disbelief in Joseph Smith. Other topics include American Indians, the House of Israel, and moneyless trade. In some instances author refers to himself as David Noeleon. A couple of items are addressed to Chad J. Flake.
Parley P. Pratt and Belinda Marden Pratt book of poetry and accounts
One notebook with handwritten items in it. It includes poems by Pratt and his wife Belinda Marden Pratt. One poem deals with the martyrdom of the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Also included are financial records. Likely produced in Utah, although no locations are identified. Dated 1847.
John J. Roberts prophecy
Typewritten "Prophecy" supposedly copied from a "journal of Elder John J. Roberts of Paradise, Utah." The information was "related to Edwin Rushton and Theadore Turley, May 6th, 1843 by the Prophet Joseph Smith." The item contains the "White Horse Prophecy" also called the "Horse Shoe Prophecy." The dating of the item is uncertain.
J. Rossle anti-Mormon negatives
11 rolls of anti-Mormon negatives on microfilm, beginning with J. Rossle's publication in German, circa 1915-1920.
The Spalding Manuscript and the Greek and Roman Classics
Wesley P. Walters affidavits
Photocopies of five affidavits, an invitation to hear Walters speak, and court proceedings (1826). The affidavits confirm under which circumstances Walters found the 1826 court record. The record states that Joseph Smith (1805-1844) "the glass looker" was fined $2.68.