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:
J. Rossle anti-Mormon negatives
11 rolls of anti-Mormon negatives on microfilm, beginning with J. Rossle's publication in German, circa 1915-1920.
Sceduel of book accounts
Ledger page, written on both sides, titled "Sceduel of Book Accounts," signed by Joseph W. Coolidge, the "Administrator of Joseph Smith deceased." A note on the page indicates it was filed January 15, 1845. The sheet is an accounting of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s personal debts, including names of creditors and dollar amounts.
Fred W. Schwendiman statement
Typewritten statement. Schwindiman writes concerning an observation made by Preston Nibley in the Mormon Church Archives relating aid given by Newell Knight to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery while they were translating the Book of Mormon.
Scrapbooks, date of production not identified
Contains 2 scrapbooks, at least one of which is compiled by M. Wilford Poulson, that deal with the history and culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the origin of the Book of Mormon.
O. C. Skinner bill of exception
Holograph. A bill of exception to a court decision involving property once belonging to Emma Smith in the case of Isaac S. Sanders and Evert L. Gates vs. William Smith.
Alvin Fielding Smith letters
Typewritten and signed letters written to Frank S. Hawkins. Smith responds to Hawkins' requests for information largely relating to the Doctrine and Covenants. Also included is a list of wives of the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), compiled by Alvin Smith. These were women sealed to the prophet during his lifetime.
J. Winter Smith collection
Jane Walker Smith autobiography
Typewritten autobiography. Smith writes about being born in Pecham, Vermont, migrating to Haun's Mill, Missouri, what she observed during the "Haun's Mill Massacre," mob activities against the Mormons in Missouri, her life in Nauvoo, Illinois, her miraculous healing, her association with the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, and her sister's marriage to Joseph Smith as a plural wife.
Job Smith autobiography and letters received
Typewritten autobiography and photocopies of handwritten letters received by Smith. Also included are typescripts of Job Smith's "Recollections" of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), and photocopies of handwritten and typewritten certificates. The letters are from prminent Mormon Church leaders. Also included is a photocopy of a handwritten patriarchal blessing received by Smith.
Joseph Smith affidavit
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed statement. Smith stated that he was "elected Sole Trustee" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for life. The item was notarized in Nauvoo, Illinois, for Hancock County.