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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 268 Collections and/or Records:

Illinois Circuit Court (Northern District) records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230235415]
Identifier: MSS SC 174
Scope and Contents

Phtocopies of handwritten court records. The materials are pages 1 and 486 to 697 from volume 4 of a much larger record on court proceedings. The entries regard the case of the "United States of America vs. Joseph Smith, et al." The manuscript deals with the estate of Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church. The originals are located at the Federal Records Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Dates: 1850

Images of Joseph Smith

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 417
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs and postcards with images of Joseph Smith, or related images. All of the items are photographic reproductions of sketches and prints of Smith. Also includes photographic reproductions of sketches and prints of Emma Hale Smith. Dated approximately 1840-1979.

Dates: approximately 1840-1979

In the pioneer group to the Iron Co. Mission, was another great leader, Anson Call, who became a great colonizer

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329770]
Identifier: MSS SC 3079
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a microfilm reproduction of a typed manuscript. The item is a biography of Anson Call by an unnamed author. The date of composition is uncertain. Anson Call was born in Fletcher, Franklin County, Vermont on 13 May 1810. Call married Mary Flint and later joined the Mormon Church. "He was closely associated with the Prophet Joseph [Joseph Smith, 1805-1844], and with the saints was driven from his home. He had a great love the the Prophet and did all he could to protect him...
Dates: 1930

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

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

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

Udney Hay Jacob letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325737]
Identifier: MSS SC 2705
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter addressed to Martin Van Buren and dated 19 March 1840. Jacob writes to Van Buren offering to aid him in the presidential election if Van Buren would finance the printing of a manuscript to be used against Joseph Smith and the Mormons.

Dates: 1840 March 19

Paul Jensen research file on Sidney Rigdon

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230349919]
Identifier: MSS 4048
Abstract

Includes photocopies of genealogies, newspaper clippings, wills, letters, photographs, and maps relating to the life of Sidney Rigdon and his descendants.

Dates: 1759-1892

Typescript copy of Benjamin F. Johnson letter to George Snow Gibbs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578648]
Identifier: MSS 8915
Content Description Contains a typescript of a 1903 letter from Benjamin F. Johnson, who was in Mesa, Arizona, to George Snow Gibbs in Salt Lake City, Utah, written in response to a request from Gibbs to have Johnson relate some of his early experiences in the Church, particularly with reference to his associations with Joseph Smith. Topics covered by Johnson include plural marriage and its effect on the members of the Church; Joseph Smith's charge to the Twelve Apostles before his death, causes for persecution...
Dates: 1911

Benjamin F. Johnson papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230317114]
Identifier: MSS SC 1912
Scope and Contents

The collection contains handwritten letters, a reminiscence, and a draft for an obituary. The reminiscence is by Sarah Melissa Johnson and relates to her life growing up in Nauvoo, Illinois. She mentions how her father was called to protect the Prophet Joseph Smith whom they considered to be in danger.

Dates: 1881-1907