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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 8 Collections and/or Records:

Circuit court summons

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233647392]
Identifier: MSS 8405
Scope and Contents

Original court summons issued by the State of Illinois, Hancock County to Joseph Smith Jr. and John P. Greene to appear at the Hancock County Circuit Court before May 1844 in order to address the complaint of Orsemus F. Bostwick for trespass to damage in the amount of two hundred dollars. The summons was signed by J. B. Backenstos, clerk of the circuit court. Dated March 4, 1844.

Dates: 1844 March 4

Daviess County legal documents

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 846
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten court proceedings of cases tried in Daviess County and Boone County, Missouri. The trials relate to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others being tried for treason; the trial of Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857), an apostle of the Church, for murder; testimony against Caleb Baldwin; and testimony against King Follet on charges of robbery. Dated 1839.

Dates: 1839

Geauga County (Ohio) court record

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230317981]
Identifier: MSS SC 1930
Scope and Contents

One handwritten court record. The item is a copy made in 1860 by William N. Keeny, clerk of Geauga County, of the original court record dated 1839. The Halsted Haines Co. sued Joseph Smith (1805-1844), Hyrum Smith, Olivery Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, and other Mormon Church leaders for redress in connection with questionable business practices. Since the defendants failed to appear when summoned, the plaintiffs were awarded $2337.35 plus expenses.

Dates: 1839

The globe

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230237817]
Identifier: MSS SC 735
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed statement dated 15 April 1844. Smith outlines his views on many political issues in the United States.

Dates: 1844

Hugh T. Reid letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233292777]
Identifier: Vault MSS 706
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter serving as a receipt for $300.00 for legal services provided by Joseph Smith (1805-1844) against a charge of rioting and treason by the state of Illinois. The document is dated April 11, 1845.

Dates: 1845

Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230350776]
Identifier: MSS 5898
Scope and Contents

Joseph Lee Robinson's autobiography and journal, 1852-1893. Joseph Lee Robinson writes about his family, spiritual manifestations, conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's teachings, his journey from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, service as a bishop, how seagulls saved the crops, death of Jedediah M. Grant, his plural wives and his journey to southeast Idaho.

Dates: 1852-1893

Joseph Smith correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321603]
Identifier: MSS SC 2277
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten correspondence. The items include a letter to the president of the United States, John Tyler (1790-1862), requesting federal aid from the mobs in Illinois; a note to Smith's wife, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879); and a receipt for Joseph Smith's coffin.

Dates: 1833-1844

Joseph Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230237775]
Identifier: MSS SC 742
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter, dated 20 June 1844, and addressed to John Tyler, president of the United States. Smith asks Tyler for protection.

Dates: 1844