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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:

Rebecca Peterson Bean speech

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321736]
Identifier: MSS SC 2273
Scope and Contents

Typewritten talk given in the fall of 1964 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rebecca Bean lived in the Joseph Smith house from 1915 to 1939. She talks about the anit-Mormon sentiments of many of her neighbors and tells about how she and her husband, Willard Washington Bean, coped with these issues.

Dates: 1964

Ernest Clark notebook

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232533569]
Identifier: MSS 7682
Scope and Contents

Notebook contains an autobiography of Ernest Clark, as well as notes from a sermon by Mary Lightner on Joseph Smith and a copy of a revelation on marriage by John Taylor. Clark's autobiography describes his early years in Utah, his family's life in Mexico and their expulsion from the country in 1912, his education, and his teaching career in Idaho and Wyoming. Contents date from between 1905 and 1968.

Dates: 1905-1968

Orson Hyde autobiography and funeral

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232484490]
Identifier: MSS 444
Scope and Contents Typewritten copy of an autobiography. Hyde writes about his early life and religious experiences. He tells about his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the many missions he served for that faith. He also recounts his experiences with the first president of the Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), and his activities in Kirtland, Ohio. Also included is a typewritten copy of the funeral for Hyde in Spring City, Utah on 1 Dec. 1878. A eulogy of him was given by the...
Dates: approximately 1842-1878

Joseph Smith : prophet to our generation

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322072]
Identifier: MSS SC 2331
Scope and Contents

Typewritten copy of an address delivered at General Conference for the Mormon Church on 4 Oct. 1981. Benson talks about the role of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), in founding the faith and in guiding his followers.

Dates: 1981

Mary E. Lightner papers

 Collection — Folder 8: [Barcode: 31197239236448]
Identifier: Vault MSS 363
Scope and Contents Collection contains materials pertaining to the life of Mary E. Lightner. Includes handwritten originals and photocopies of correspondence including correspondence to Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many prominent Mormon women while in Utah. Also included are personal histories, autobiographies, speeches, articles pertaining to her life while in Minersville, Utah, along with patriarchal blessings and a statement relating to her marriage to Joseph Smith. Dated...
Dates: 1865-1980

Joseph Smith diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230364769]
Identifier: MSS 1644
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten diaries, proclamations, discourse notes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous documents relating to the life and career of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Also included is a handwritten excerpt from the Book of Mormon.

Dates: 1832-1844

Joseph Smith Jr. speeches

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230305085]
Identifier: MSS SC 762
Scope and Contents

Typescripts of notes of speeches given by Joseph Smith. The items are dated 22 and 23 June 1844, shortly before Smith was murdered. The notes were taken down by John Erik Forsgren.

Dates: 1844

Brigham Young discourses

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318088]
Identifier: MSS SC 1938
Scope and Contents

Typescripts of discourses. Young's remarks cover a wide range of Mormon theological ideas including sacrifice, obedience, and the nature of the biblical character, Adam. Young also talks about his relationship with Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the founder of the Mormon faith.

Dates: 1854-1856