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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 35 Collections and/or Records:

Arnold Auer Reiser diary entry

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230335827]
Identifier: MSS 1254
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of one page of a handwritten diary dated 4 Oct. 1899. Reiser writes that he gave instructions from Oliver B. Huntington concerning the location of the altar of the biblical character, Adam. Reiser also relates how the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, received a seer stone.

Dates: 1899 October 4
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Arnold Auer Reiser diary entry

Religious Americana Acquisitions (not originals), 1808-1933

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 13
Scope and Contents

Includes papers and artifacts, mostly relating to religious subjects. Compiled by M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1808-1933
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230350776]
Identifier: MSS 5898
Scope and Contents

Joseph Lee Robinson's autobiography and journal, 1852-1893. Joseph Lee Robinson writes about his family, spiritual manifestations, conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's teachings, his journey from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, service as a bishop, how seagulls saved the crops, death of Jedediah M. Grant, his plural wives and his journey to southeast Idaho.

Dates: 1852-1893
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments

Scrapbooks, date of production not identified

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 8 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains 2 scrapbooks, at least one of which is compiled by M. Wilford Poulson, that deal with the history and culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the origin of the Book of Mormon.

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

J. Winter Smith collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8387
Scope and Contents Collection of photocopies of handwritten transcriptions and original documents from the nineteenth century that pertain to the lives of members of the Joseph Smith family. The materials were collected by Joseph Smith's great nephew, J. Winter Smith. Includes copies of correspondence, diary entries, obituaries, life histories, and genealogical documents associated with the family. These include reflections on past periods of church history, personal problems in the Smith family, persecution...
Dates: approximately 1840-1932
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / J. Winter Smith collection

Joseph Smith diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230364769]
Identifier: MSS 1644
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten diaries, proclamations, discourse notes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous documents relating to the life and career of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Also included is a handwritten excerpt from the Book of Mormon.

Dates: 1832-1844
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith diaries

Edward Stevenson papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230234541]
Identifier: MSS SC 147
Scope and Contents

227 p. holograph diary (1895-1896) which contains an account of Stevenson's travels as a visiting Mormon Church leader to Arizona and the Northwestern United States. Collection includes many newspaper clippings regarding state, world, and church events. Also included is an account of visits and letters of David Smith, son of Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1890-1896
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Edward Stevenson papers

Teaching Career at BYU, 1910-1946

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 5
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: 1910-1946
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

Teaching Career at BYU, 1910-1958

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains lecture notes and other educational materials related to M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1910-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 823, M. Wilford Poulson papers

A thrilling dream

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 292
Scope and Contents

Handwritten account of a dream written down by William Huntington in his diary on 1 Feb. 1845 over seven months after Smith was killed and purports to be in Smith's own words. The dream tells about Smith seeing a beautiful lady and a rider.

Dates: Other: 1845 February 1
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / A thrilling dream

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