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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Neibaur family papers
M. Wilford Poulson papers
Collection contains correspondence, diaries, and research materials of M. Wilford Poulson. Also included are many research documents pertaining to the LDS Church which include diaries, letters and newspaper clippings.
Arnold Auer Reiser diary entry
Photocopy of one page of a handwritten diary dated 4 Oct. 1899. Reiser writes that he gave instructions from Oliver B. Huntington concerning the location of the altar of the biblical character, Adam. Reiser also relates how the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, received a seer stone.
Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments
Joseph Lee Robinson's autobiography and journal, 1852-1893. Joseph Lee Robinson writes about his family, spiritual manifestations, conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's teachings, his journey from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, service as a bishop, how seagulls saved the crops, death of Jedediah M. Grant, his plural wives and his journey to southeast Idaho.
J. Winter Smith collection
Joseph Smith diaries
Photocopies of handwritten diaries, proclamations, discourse notes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous documents relating to the life and career of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Also included is a handwritten excerpt from the Book of Mormon.
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.
A thrilling dream
Handwritten account of a dream written down by William Huntington in his diary on 1 Feb. 1845 over seven months after Smith was killed and purports to be in Smith's own words. The dream tells about Smith seeing a beautiful lady and a rider.
Nancy Alexander Tracy autobiographical writings
Mary Ann Hoopes Yearsley papers
Materials include papers related primarily to Yearsley. Includes a holograph journal of a visit to her home state of Pennsylvania in 1872 and a printed life sketch compiled by James D. Cummings, a grandson, in 1914. Also includes her husband, David Dutton Yearsley's, missionary recommend signed by John D. Lee and Joseph Young, Nauvoo, Illinois, 1844. Dated 1844-1914.