Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1805-1844
Biographical History
Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844) was a Mormon 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.
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.), Mormon 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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Donald Q. Cannon research materials
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1800
Scope and Contents
Photocopies and microfilmed copies of letters, pamphlets, newspaper artilces, sections of books, maps, biographies, histories, and miscellaneous items. The materials relate to a large range of topics in the early history of the Mormon Church, to its early leaders and presidents, and to the genealogies of early prominent members of that faith. The materials were acquired in various research institutions in Massachusetts.
Dates:
1766-1977
Mary E. Lightner papers
Collection — Folder: 8
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
Man who helped kill Mormon head in 1844 confessed in Mt. Airy
Collection — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 1200
Scope and Contents
Typewritten account probably copied from a newspaper from the year 1927. The article states that Dr. H. K. Doyer "tells of getting confession from Corporal Bolton." Bolton "disclosed details of Crime on his Death Bed." The item states that Bolton was one of the men who shot the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). The confession was suposedly given in 1898.
Dates:
approximately 1927
Mormon Manuscript Retrieval Project collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 19
Abstract
Photocopies of reminiscences, histories, maps, and miscellaneous materials relating to the early Mormon experience in Ohio and New Hampshire. A. Gary Anderson and Milton V. Backman, Jr., faculty members of the Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, did research on Mormon Church history. Anderson worked in New Hampshire in 1973 and Backman did research in Ohio in 1974. Their project was to collect copies of manuscripts and documents relating to the early members of...
Dates:
1772-1974
Psychological and educations papers (not originals), date of production not identified
Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 14
Scope and Contents
Contains articles and papers relating to psychology and education, authored by various unnamed people. Compiled by M. Wilford Poulson.
Dates:
date of production not identified
Biography of Sidney Ridgdon
File — Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 1274
Scope and Contents
Photocopy of a handwritten biography of Sidney Rigdon. John Rigdon writes about the activities of his father before, during, and after Sidney was a member of the Mormon Church. The date of the composition of the item is uncertain. Also included are correspondence, draft of an essay, and a published article edited by Karl Keller for the journal, "Dialogue+ a Journal of Mormon Thought." Keller edited Rigdon's account for publication.
Dates:
approximately 1900-1968