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Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844

 Person

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:

Joseph Smith, Jr. agreement with Martin Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230338599]
Identifier: MSS 929
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed agreement dated 16 Jan. 1830 in Manchester, New York. Smith authorizes Martin Harris to sell copies of the Book of Mormon. The item was witnessed by Oliver Cowdery.

Dates: 1830 January 16
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith, Jr. agreement with Martin Harris

Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2197
Abstract Recordings of LDS Sunday School lessons and other presentations by Barrett on several topics including Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, the Doctrine and Covenants, LDS Church history, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon. Presentations were recorded by D. Clayton Bishop, friend to Barrett and fellow member of the Orem 13th Ward, Orem Utah Sharon Stake. Also includes videocassette of a musical performance by Barrett and members of his family, 1989; plus handouts entitled,...
Dates: approximately 1957-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

Ivan J. Barrett addresses, circa 1957-1963

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Recordings of Barrett's addresses.

Dates: circa 1957-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2197, Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

Ivan J. Barrett Sunday School lessons and other addresses, 1983-1990

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Recordings of Barrett's Sunday School lessons.

Dates: 1983-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2197, Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

Ivan J. Barrett video recording and papers, 1989

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 3
Scope and Contents note

A video recording of Barrett and several printed programs.

Dates: 1989
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2197, Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

The last testimony of Martin Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232498862]
Identifier: MSS 236
Scope and Contents Typewritten statement with handwritten corrections. The item was notarized. Homer affirms that he met Martin Harris (1783-1875) in 1869 when returning from a mission for the Mormon Church. He recounts the conversation, much of it word for word, between him and Harris at that time. He also told the second president of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young (1801-1877), about this incident. Homer also tells, again verbatim, what Harris said on his death bed in 1875. Homer states that on each...
Dates: 1928
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The last testimony of Martin Harris

Photocopy of the Printer's Copy of the Book of Mormon

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232481058]
Identifier: MSS 2356
Abstract

A photocopy of the printer's copy of the Book of Mormon, 466 pp. Scribal copy of entire text of the Book of Mormon; each page indicates the relative portion of the volume.

Dates: 1830
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Photocopy of the Printer's Copy of the Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230235258]
Identifier: MSS SC 173
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter, dated June 11, 1829, and addressed to the Northern Judicial District of New York, R. R. Lansing, clerk. The item claims copyright for the Book of Mormon and describes its content and authorship.

Dates: 1829
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith letter

Testimony of eight witnesses

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324979]
Identifier: MSS SC 2560
Scope and Contents

Photograph of a handwritten statement which is published at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. The item was signed by the "Eight Witnesses" who confirmed that they saw the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was taken. The manuscript states that Joseph Smith was the "author" of the book. This word appeared in the first edition of the Book of Mormon. In later editions, the term was changed to "translator."

Dates: 1830
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Testimony of eight witnesses

The Spalding Manuscript and the Greek and Roman Classics

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232564366]
Identifier: MSS 8991
Scope and Contents Contains a typed copy of "The Spalding Manuscript and the Greek and Roman Classics" written by Dale W. Adams from Park City, Utah. The material discusses the connections between Solomon Spalding's manuscript of the Roman discovery of the Americas with Homeric epics including "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" while also discrediting claims made by critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concerning Joseph Smith plagiarizing this manuscript when writing "The Book of Mormon"....
Dates: 2017 February 23
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The Spalding Manuscript and the Greek and Roman Classics

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