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 letters
Photocopy of a handwritten letter with a typescript of the item. This letter is dated 27 June 1844 at 8:20 A.M. and was written from Carthage Jail. Also included is a typewritten copy of another letter dated 23 June probably also in the year 1844. Both letters were addressed to Smith's wife, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879). Smith describes the condition of his incarceration, states that they have no valid case against him, and expresses the belief that he was in little danger.
Joseph Smith promissory note
Handwritten and signed promissory note dated 1 Sept. 1837 and written in Kirtland, Ohio. The note is made out to "Holbrook & Firme" in the amount of $287.05. The item was signed by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Brigham Young, and twenty-eight other prominent Mormons.
Samuel H. B. Smith correspondence
Photocopies of handwritten letters between Samuel H. B. Smith and William R. Hamilton. The items are concerned with the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the involvement of Samuel Harrison Smith in the removal of their bodies.
William Smith letter
Photocopy of a handwritten letter in which William Smith claims the position of president of the Mormon Church because his brother, Joseph, ordained him to it.
George Spilsbury autobiography
Handwritten autobiography with a photocopy of the item. The volume includes handwritten copies of letters received and patriarchal blessings of family members. Spilsbury writes about travelling in southern Utah as a patriarch, gives a brief description of his mission to Wales, talks about some of the prophecies of the first president of the LDS Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), and describes the exodus west of Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois to Utah. Dated from 1843 to 1911.
Edward Stevenson papers
227 p. holograph diary (1895-1896) which contains an account of Stevenson's travels as a visiting Mormon Church leader to Arizona and the Northwestern United States. Collection includes many newspaper clippings regarding state, world, and church events. Also included is an account of visits and letters of David Smith, son of Joseph Smith.
Hancock County, Illinois Circuit Court summons for William Law
Printed and handwritten summons issued on 1 Sept. 1845 and filed on 18 Oct. 1845. The item summons William Law to answer a complaint by A. W. Babbitt relating to the funds from the estate of Joseph Smith (1805-1844), first president of the Mormon Church, for an amount of $7750.
Joseph Smith Tanner autobiography
Photocopy of a typescript as "given by Joseph S. Tanner to N. H. Tanner ... at Payson ... Utah." Tanner tells about his early life as a Mormon and about his experiences in Payson, Utah.
Nathan Tanner autobiography
Photocopy of a handwritten autobiography. Tanner writes about joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1831; participating in Zion's Camp in 1834; life in Kirtland, Ohio; his mission to the Eastern States for the Church; and his life in Far West, Missouri, and in Nauvoo, Illinois. He also tells about his interaction with early leaders of the Church and about troubles with mobs in Missouri and Illinois.