Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
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:
Joseph Smith portraits : a search for the prophet's likeness
Items include research notes and materials regarding the many different representations of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Contains copies of these likenesses, and also contains information on the different artists who have created them, particularly Sutcliffe Maudsley. A large portion of the material deals with the death mask of Joseph Smith, and its comparison to his portraits.
Joseph Smith : prophet to our generation
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.
Joseph Smith : the man / [Brigham Young University] ; [director, producer, T.C. Christensen], 1980
Film was released in 1980, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The film depicts a elderly women sharing her great-grandfather's experiences with Joseph Smith to children. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1980.
Justin E. Page (son of John E. Page, early Mormon Church apostle), 1933-1940
Contains correspondence between M. Wilford Poulson and Justin E. Page, dated between 1933 and 1940.
Kirtland Council minute book
Kirtland Safety Society Bank five dollar bill
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).
Vinson Knight account book
The folder contains photocopies of a handwritten account book written between 1836-1840. The items list transactions involving Mormons in Kirtland, Ohio and in Nauvoo, Illinois including leaders such as Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876). The materials were photocopied from a microfilm collection.
George Lake diary
Typescript of an account covering 1870-1879 of Lake's Latter-day Saint church mission to England and his leadership of a new Mormon settlement in Arizona. Appended is the "Last Address" by Joseph Smith.
The last testimony of Martin Harris
William Law diary
Typewritten copy of a diary. The journal was kept from 1 Jan. to 28 June 1844 when Law was in Nauvoo, Illinois. Law writes about his excommunication from the Mormon Church, a visit from Hyrum Smith (1800-1844), and the operation of the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper. He also and gives his opinion of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and comments on his death.