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Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844

 Person

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 40 Collections and/or Records:

Religious Americana Acquisitions (not originals), 1808-1933

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 13
Scope and Contents

Includes papers and artifacts, mostly relating to religious subjects. Compiled by M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1808-1933
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Scrapbooks, date of production not identified

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 8 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers / Mormon Americana acquisitions

Teaching Career at BYU, 1910-1946

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 5
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Collection contains correspondence, diaries, and research materials of M. Wilford Poulson. Some of this material is regarding his work as a psychologist. Also included are many important research documents pertaining to the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. Much of the research of the early church history pertains to Joseph Smith. The documents date from 1826-1964. Some of the materials are originals while many are...
Dates: 1910-1946
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Teaching Career at BYU, 1910-1958

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains lecture notes and other educational materials related to M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1910-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

The first vision : the visitation of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith / The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents ; a Brigham Young University production ; producer-director, David K. Jacobs, 1975-1976

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents Film was released in 1976, and was produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It focuses on the experience of Joseph Smith in 1820 that had lead to his vision of God and Jesus Christ. The film was made for the purpose of missionary work and to be used in church visitor centers. The collection contains multiple copies of the film, one on videocassette, one on a church history compilation VHS entitled "Moments from...
Dates: 1975-1976
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 5625, David Kent Jacobs collection on Mormon films / David Kent Jacobs collection of films

The lost manuscript / Brigham Young University ; produced and directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker ; [screenplay, Doug Stewart], 1974

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1974, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film depicts the translation of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith and the loss of the first 116 pages by Martin Harris. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1974.

Dates: 1974
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 5625, David Kent Jacobs collection on Mormon films / David Kent Jacobs collection of films

Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, 1902-1925

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Includes grades, student correspondence, and lecture notes. M. Wilford Poulson kept these papers from his time teaching at BYU, the University of Utah, and the University of Chicago.

Dates: 1902-1925
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Whitmer, Kerr and Johnson, 1832-1946

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 8 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and articles relating to the Whitmer, Kerr and Johnson families, as well as other notable figures in the early days of the Church.

Dates: 1832-1946
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers / Mormon Americana acquisitions

Writings of M. Wilford Poulson, 1909-1941

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Includes published and unpublished writings of M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1909-1941
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Writings of W.M. Poulson (unpublished), 1945

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains notebooks and journals with writings of M. Wilford Poulson that were never published. Writings date from 1902-1946.

Dates: 1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

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