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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 3 Collections and/or Records:

Dale W. Adams research collection on Mormons in Ohio

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2376
Scope and Contents

The contents of this collection represent the research notes of Dale Adams regarding several important events in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In many cases, photocopies of original sources are included in the collection. The main focus of the collection is the Ohio period of LDS history, with particular attention being paid to Solomon Spaulding (or Spalding) and D. Philastus Hurbut (or Hurlburt).

Dates: 1968-2001

Kirtland Safety Society Bank five dollar bill

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340041]
Identifier: MSS 69
Abstract

The folder contains a photocopy of a five dollar bill issued on 10 February 1837 and signed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaders Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876).

Dates: 1837

Joseph Smith promissory note

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2464
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed promissory note dated 1 Sept. 1837 and written in Kirtland, Ohio. The note is made out to "Holbrook & Firme" in the amount of $287.05. The item was signed by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, and twenty-eight other prominent Mormons.

Dates: 1837 September 1