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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Donald Q. Cannon research materials
Photocopies and microfilmed copies of letters, pamphlets, newspaper articles, sections of books, maps, biographies, histories, and miscellaneous items. The materials relate to a large range of topics in the early history of the Mormon Church, to its early leaders and presidents, and to the genealogies of early prominent members of that faith. The materials were acquired in various research institutions in Massachusetts.
Donald Q. Cannon research materials
Photocopies of handwritten and typed letters, histories, interviews, diaries, pamphlets, and newspapers. The materials relate to a large range of topics in the early history of the Mormon Church; Joseph Smith, second president of the Mormon Church; and his family. Interviewees include Smith family members and those who knew them. The items were copied by Donald Q. Cannon as part of the continuing Mormon Church History Sources Project.
Talitha C. Avery Cheney autobiography and a biography
Vesta Pierce Crawford book drafts
Photocopies of typewritten book drafts and supplementary materials for the "Life and History of Emma Hale Smith, 1804-1879" and "A Journal History of the Relief Society Building."
Biography of Charles Ambrose Foster
Typewritten research paper for a Religion 242 class at Brigham Young University taught by "Bro. Porter." Cosman writes about the role played by Charles A. Foster and his brother, Robert Foster, in the murder of the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Charles Foster later became mayor of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and was the director of two hospitals.
Biography of Sidney Ridgdon
Photocopy of a handwritten biography of Sidney Rigdon. John Rigdon writes about the activities of his father before, during, and after Sidney was a member of the Mormon Church. The date of the composition of the item is uncertain. Also included are correspondence, draft of an essay, and a published article edited by Karl Keller for the journal, "Dialogue+ a Journal of Mormon Thought." Keller edited Rigdon's account for publication.
Job Smith autobiography and letters received
Typewritten autobiography and photocopies of handwritten letters received by Smith. Also included are typescripts of Job Smith's "Recollections" of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), and photocopies of handwritten and typewritten certificates. The letters are from prminent Mormon Church leaders. Also included is a photocopy of a handwritten patriarchal blessing received by Smith.
The testimony of Joseph Smith's best friend
Typescript of a biography of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) by his secretary. Johnson relates his personal observations of Smith and treats many topics relating to the prophet's work and doctrines. Also included is a typescript of a vision by Joseph Eldridge Robinson (1867- ), president of the California Mission for the Mormon Church from 1901-1919, relating to Benjamin Johnson and Joseph Smith.