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 269 Collections and/or Records:
Mormon War papers
Microfilmed copies of original joint legislative committee journals (1838-1839), legislative proceedings (1838-1841), correspondence and orders (1838-1839), evidence given at the court of inquiry held in November 1838 to investigate Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and others for high treason, and certificates dealing with indictments against Mormons (1841) pertaining to the Mormon disturbances in Missouri (1838-1841). The film is 16 mm. and 35 mm. and is photonegative.
John Murdock journal and autobiography
Materials include two copies of the typescript of an autobiography covering, 1792-1867, and journals, 1830-1859. Murdock was a Campbellite who joined the Mormon Church in 1830. He lived with Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet, in 1833 and participated in "Zion's Camp" in 1834. He lived in Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; and Lehi, Utah and was in Missouri during the persecution of Mormons in that state.
Nauvoo (Ill.) legal proceedings
Two handwritten transcripts of court cases regarding the slandering of Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet. The first item is dated Dec. 5, 1842 and involves the City of Nauvoo vs. Thomas J. Hunter. The second item is dated Feb. 17, 1843 and involves the City of Nauvoo vs. Amos Davis.
Nauvoo Legion printed receipt
Original and photocopy of Nauvoo Legion, printed receipt, dated 24 July 1843, No. 81, for $1.00. Signed by Wilson Law, Joseph Smith, and John S. Fulmer, paymaster. Printed with holograph signatures.
Nauvoo Legion redeemable script
Printed and signed redeemable script of the Nauvoo Legion for the sum of one dollar. The note is dated July 25, 1843 and is signed by Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet and Lieutenant General of the Legion.
Neibaur family papers
New York State receipt forms
Jock Nickerson notes
Handwritten book containing notes on geometry and on geometrical figures. The book includes many drawings of such figures and calculations based on them. The date of the materials is uncertain. Nickerson lived his last few years with Rey L. Pratt. Nickerson claimed to have known the LDS Church leaders, Joseph Smith and Parley P. Pratt. A brief essay is included which speculates on this claim.
Noel B. Reynolds study of wordprinting and authorship research files, 1984-1996
Contains the creator's research files on wordprinting and authorship. Many of his research projects have resulted in authorship studies, especially in reference to the works of Thomas Hobbes, Sidney Rigdon, and Joseph Smith, Jr., 1984-1996.
Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill research files for Carthage Conspiracy
Contains miscellaneous notes, correspondence, newspaper articles, several drafts of the book, footnotes, bibliographic notes, and photographs. Many of the items were gathered from the Hancock County courthouse. Materials were compiled between approximately 1970 and 1975 for the production of the book Carthage Conspiracy.