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 162 Collections and/or Records:
Church Historical Sites
This collection contains photographs and postcards of various historical sites relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These sites include: Nauvoo, Orderville, Kirtland, Palmyra, and various LDS temples. Portraits of people include: Joseph Smith, C.S. Forester, and General Fremont with his wife and daughter. Also included in the collection is a book titled American Frontier Photography and a photograph of the 1955 Utah State Senate 31st session.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revelation collection
This collection consists of photocopies of early manuscripts of revelations given to Joseph Smith, most of which are contained in the modern LDS Church's Doctrine and Covenants. Note: Unless otherwise noted, the originals of these documents are located in the Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City.
Circuit Court recognizance
Handwritten bond dated September 7, 1838, signed by Joseph Smith, Jr. and others before Judge Austin King of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. The bond was for $500.00 and bound Joseph Smith, Jr. and Lyman Wight over to the court.
Claims on the estates of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
Handwritten claims and bills submitted against the estates of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The items request payments on charges made by the two men between 1841 and 1844. Joseph and Hyrum were brothers and leaders of the Mormon Church. They were murdered in 1844.
Ernest Clark notebook
Notebook contains an autobiography of Ernest Clark, as well as notes from a sermon by Mary Lightner on Joseph Smith and a copy of a revelation on marriage by John Taylor. Clark's autobiography describes his early years in Utah, his family's life in Mexico and their expulsion from the country in 1912, his education, and his teaching career in Idaho and Wyoming. Contents date from between 1905 and 1968.
Moses Clawson autobiography
Handwritten autobiography. Clawson writes about his experiences in the Mormon Church, persecutions he faced as a member of that faith, and his association with the first president of the Mormon Church, Jospeh Smith.
Collection on early Mormon history
Materials include typescripts of records on early Mormon history. Includes information on Joseph Smith, William Smith, and John Whitmer, and other early Church leaders. Dated 1830-1846.
Copyright certificate
Photocopies of copyright certificates that were partially printed and partially handwritten. These state that the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), "deposited in this office the title of a book the right wehereof he claims as author." The document relates to the publication of the Book of Mormon. The item also explains the claimed authorship of the book as being composed by ancient writers.
Martha Coray notebook
Edwin Charles Cox papers
Handwritten notes, musical scores, an obituary, and excerpts from an autobiography. Cox writes mostly about his life in England during the 1830s and 1840s. His writings include a "Dialogue between Joseph Smith and the Devil."