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 71 Collections and/or Records:
Joseph Smith letter
Photograph of a handwritten and signed letter, dated 17 June 1844, and addressed to John P. Greene. Smith writes about his concerns on the possibilities of mob actions near Nauvoo, Illinois.
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.
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.
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.
The testimony of Joseph Smith's best friend
Typescript of a biography of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) by his secretary. Johnson relates his personal observations of Smith and treats many topics relating to the prophet's work and doctrines. Also included is a typescript of a vision by Joseph Eldridge Robinson (1867- ), president of the California Mission for the Mormon Church from 1901-1919, relating to Benjamin Johnson and Joseph Smith.
The Spalding Manuscript and the Greek and Roman Classics
The unwritten chapter of the history of the Mormons
Typewritten history of the Mormons stating that Joseph Smith, Sr., Joseph Smith, Jr., and others were involved in water witching and treasure hunting. Includes TLS (photocopy) from Freniere to Yale University Press.
John Webster letter
Photocopy of a handwritten letter dated 17 July 1831. Webster tells of being approached by a "Mormonite," Samuel Harrison Smith (1808-1844), to buy a "gold Bible" (Book of Mormon). Webster asked Smith how his brother, Joseph Smith (1801-1844), wrote it. "He said that he would look under a shiney stone in the dark and there he would see the words appear."
Orange L. Wight recollections
Three recollections are mainly concerned with the early period of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up to the martyrdom of the prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr (1805-44).