Skip to main content

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 4 Collections and/or Records:

Hancock County records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230236942]
Identifier: MSS SC 212
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1840-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Hancock County records

H. Donl Peterson research collection on the Book of Abraham

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2019
Scope and Contents Contains materials pertaining to the research of the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price conducted by H. Donl Peterson. Includes research files, photocopies of newspapers, materials from books, probate records, and genealogical information. Details the early exploration of Egypt from the 18th and 19th centuries and Antonio Lebolo’s travel and discovery of Ancient Egyptian antiquities and manuscripts, Michael H. Chandler’s acquisition of the lost mummies and papyri, and their...
Dates: 1964-1994
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / H. Donl Peterson research collection on the Book of Abraham

Samuel W. Richards sworn oath

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230308436]
Identifier: MSS SC 1056
Scope and Contents Oath sworn before Martin S. Lindsay, Notary Public, in Salt Lake City on 11 Dec. 1903. The document affirms that Richards was among 25 young men who were called during the winter of 1843-4 by the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), to explore the mountains in the West for a place where the Mormons could go to avoid persecution. Richards states that the men had weekly meetings to prepare for the trip and the decision to explore the West was made by Joseph Smith and not by his successor...
Dates: 1903
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Samuel W. Richards sworn oath

J. Rossle anti-Mormon negatives

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 4143
Abstract

11 rolls of anti-Mormon negatives on microfilm, beginning with J. Rossle's publication in German, circa 1915-1920.

Dates: circa 1915-1920
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / J. Rossle anti-Mormon negatives

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.