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 144 Collections and/or Records:
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.
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.
The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois
T. Earl Pardoe scrapbook
Scrapbook of newspaper clippings, typewritten speeches, pamphlets, photographs, and miscellaneous items relating to the dedications of monuments and historical sites relating to the early years of the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).
Passenger waybills, Nauvoo to Jacksonville, and Nauvoo to Quincy, Ill.
Passenger waybills for the transport of Monrow Davis from Quincy, Illinois, to Nauvoo, Illinois. The item was originally purchased at Quincy, Illinois. Also included are William Houck, listed as "Houcks Boy," and E. R. Rumsey from Warsaw to Nauvoo, Illinois, paid to R. S. Robertson.
Sally Randall letter
Typed copy of a letter written in Nauvoo, Illinois, on July 1, 1844 and addressed to "Dear Friends." Randall writes about the murder of the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum.
Hugh T. Reid letter
Handwritten and signed letter serving as a receipt for $300.00 for legal services provided by Joseph Smith (1805-1844) against a charge of rioting and treason by the state of Illinois. The document is dated April 11, 1845.
Revelation given 8 July 1838
Handwritten copy of Section 117 of the Doctrine and Covenants given on 8 July 1838 in Far West, Missouri. The item was copied and signed by Lydia Granger.