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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 39 Collections and/or Records:

Manchester Library records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230335264]
Identifier: MSS 367
Scope and Contents Photocopies of handwritten and typewritten correspondence, lists of books, secretary's record book for the years from 1817 to 1854, constitution of the Manchester Library, names of stock holders, titles of 417 books, and two Manchester Library membership books from 1825 to 1857. Many of the items relate to the work of John Pratt, who served as Manchester Librarian. The materials were originally housed in Pratt's home but are now found in the Ontario County Historical Society. The books in...
Dates: 1817-1966

Martha Coray notebook

 Digital Record
Identifier: VMSS230
Dates: 1845

Moses Martin letter to Joseph Smith

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233288460]
Identifier: Vault MSS 316
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, composed in La Porte, Indiana, dated November 7, 1841, and addressed to Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church. Martin writes to introduce himself, tells of his efforts to preach the Mormon faith, and asks for a blessing.

Dates: 1841 November 7

Passenger waybills, Nauvoo to Jacksonville, and Nauvoo to Quincy, Ill.

 Collection
Identifier: MSS SC 2865
Scope and Contents

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.



Dates: 1842

Sally Randall letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231044956]
Identifier: MSS 1015
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1844 July 1

Joseph Smith affidavit

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231045060]
Identifier: MSS 1021
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1841

Joseph Smith deed

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321660]
Identifier: MSS SC 2310
Scope and Contents

Typescript of a deed and items which verify its validity. The materials document Smith's purchase of land in the town of Harmony in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

Dates: 1834

Joseph Smith Jr. articles of lease

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233294690]
Identifier: Vault MSS 783
Scope and Contents

Handwritten lease agreement between Jospeh Smith (1805-1844) and James Adams (d. 1843) and Elezer van Drezer dated 15 Nov. 1841. The manuscript is signed by Joseph Smith. The item leases the right to keep ferries across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo, Illinois to Zarahemla, Iowa for twenty years for the sum of $10,500.

Dates: 1841 November 15

Joseph Smith, Jr. complaint against Thomas J. Winter

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233284790]
Identifier: Vault MSS 65
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed complaint filed by Smith on 29 Nov. 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois. The complaint was filed against Thomas J. Winter for making detrimental comments on Smith's character.

Dates: 1842 November 29

Joseph Smith, Jr. deposition

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233289203]
Identifier: Vault MSS 365
Scope and Contents

Handwritten deposition signed by Joseph Smith. The item states, "Joseph Smith vs. Joseph H. Reynolds & Harmon G. Wilson." Smith brings suit against Reynolds and Wilson for false arrest.

Dates: 1843