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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 54 Collections and/or Records:

Udney Hay Jacob letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325737]
Identifier: MSS SC 2705
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter addressed to Martin Van Buren and dated 19 March 1840. Jacob writes to Van Buren offering to aid him in the presidential election if Van Buren would finance the printing of a manuscript to be used against Joseph Smith and the Mormons.

Dates: 1840 March 19
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Udney Hay Jacob letter

Typescript copy of Benjamin F. Johnson letter to George Snow Gibbs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578648]
Identifier: MSS 8915
Content Description Contains a typescript of a 1903 letter from Benjamin F. Johnson, who was in Mesa, Arizona, to George Snow Gibbs in Salt Lake City, Utah, written in response to a request from Gibbs to have Johnson relate some of his early experiences in the Church, particularly with reference to his associations with Joseph Smith. Topics covered by Johnson include plural marriage and its effect on the members of the Church; Joseph Smith's charge to the Twelve Apostles before his death, causes for persecution...
Dates: 1911
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Typescript copy of Benjamin F. Johnson letter to George Snow Gibbs

Justin E. Page (son of John E. Page, early Mormon Church apostle), 1933-1940

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 8 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between M. Wilford Poulson and Justin E. Page, dated between 1933 and 1940.

Dates: 1933-1940
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers / Mormon Americana acquisitions

Wilson Law legal document

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225523056]
Identifier: MSS 1343
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed legal document. The item relates to the estate of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1845
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Wilson Law legal document

Mary E. Lightner papers

 Collection — Folder 8: [Barcode: 31197239236448]
Identifier: Vault MSS 363
Scope and Contents Collection contains materials pertaining to the life of Mary E. Lightner. Includes handwritten originals and photocopies of correspondence including correspondence to Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many prominent Mormon women while in Utah. Also included are personal histories, autobiographies, speeches, articles pertaining to her life while in Minersville, Utah, along with patriarchal blessings and a statement relating to her marriage to Joseph Smith. Dated...
Dates: 1865-1980
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Mary E. Lightner papers

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Manchester Library records

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Moses Martin letter to Joseph Smith

George Miller letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230307925]
Identifier: MSS SC 977
Scope and Contents

Letter to Thomas Reynolds, Governor of Missouri, dated 4 Sept. 1842. The missive is in defense of Joseph Smith (1801-1844) in any implication in the assassination attempt on Governor Lilburn Boggs of Missouri.

Dates: 1842 September 4
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George Miller letter

Miscellaneous Americana Acquisitions (Original), 1826-1938

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 12
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: 1826-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Mormon American Acquisitions, date of production not identified

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains documents, compiled by M. Wilford Poulson, relating to early Church history and controversial events and topics.

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

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