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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 21 Collections and/or Records:

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...
Dates: 1772-1974
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Mormon Manuscript Retrieval Project collection

Mormon splinter groups collection

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232482296]
Identifier: MSS 1634
Scope and Contents

Papers, research notes, and correspondence. These items relate to the numerous off-shoots of the two largest Mormon denominations, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church or LDS Church) and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS church) and their leaders. Also included is a photocopy of a letter by the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).

Dates: 1844-1976
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Mormon splinter groups collection

John Murdock journal and autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233631024]
Identifier: MSS SC 997
Scope and Contents

Materials include two copies of the typescript of an autobiography covering, 1792-1867, and journals, 1830-1859. Murdock was a Campbellite who joined the Mormon Church in 1830. He lived with Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet, in 1833 and participated in "Zion's Camp" in 1834. He lived in Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; and Lehi, Utah and was in Missouri during the persecution of Mormons in that state.

Dates: 1830-1867
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John Murdock journal and autobiography

New York State receipt forms

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227637235]
Identifier: MSS 4147
Scope and Contents Collection of 39 partly-printed New York State receipt forms, accomplished in manuscript, to verify payment of laborers and suppliers contracted to repair the Erie Canal in or near Palmyra. Each receipt is signed by the person who was paid (each by a different man). Each form itemizes the work or products supplied by the payee, with a total, plus the place (Palmyra, New York) and the date (January-February, 1830). Each 4 by 7.5 inches. Also, a receipt, signed by one "J. Smith" in Montezuma,...
Dates: 1830-1837
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / New York State receipt forms

The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233634]
Identifier: MSS SC 89
Scope and Contents Prepared typescript of a series of ten articles written by J.H. Sherman which appeared in the Ithaca Daily Journal during April and May, 1886. The articles, decidedly anti-Mormon, tell of Joseph Smith's early life, the Solomon Spaulding manuscript from which Smith supposedly got the idea for the Book of Mormon, the organization of the Latter-day Saint Church, the settlement of the Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois, death of Joseph Smith, mob violence in Illinois, expulsion of the Mormons from...
Dates: 1886
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

Samuel W. Richards sworn oath

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230308436]
Identifier: MSS SC 1056
Scope and Contents Oath sworn before Martin S. Lindsay, Notary Public, in Salt Lake City on 11 Dec. 1903. The document affirms that Richards was among 25 young men who were called during the winter of 1843-4 by the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), to explore the mountains in the West for a place where the Mormons could go to avoid persecution. Richards states that the men had weekly meetings to prepare for the trip and the decision to explore the West was made by Joseph Smith and not by his successor...
Dates: 1903
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Samuel W. Richards sworn oath

Benjamin Riter letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225522272]
Identifier: MSS 3140
Scope and Contents Two letters, written by Benjamin Riter in 1849 and 1850, describing the conditions in Nauvoo, Ill. following the exodus of the Saints. Letters are addressed to a Morgan J. Thomas of Philadelphia, Pa. The first letter describes the future prospects of the city, including information on land purchases and some of the recent settlers. It also describes Riter's involvement in mob activities against the Latter-day Saints. The second seeks additional information about some of the individuals...
Dates: 1849-1850
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Benjamin Riter letters

William Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230308253]
Identifier: MSS SC 1036
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1849
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William Smith letter

Nancy Alexander Tracy autobiographical writings

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2198
Scope and Contents Includes three reminiscent accounts written in 1880, 1885, and 1895, reflecting on her early life in New York state; marriage to Moses Tracy, 1832; conversion to Mormonism, 1834; occasional interactions with Joseph Smith Jr.; and experiences with her husband in New York, 1844. Also includes information on her activities in Kirtland, Ohio; Far West, Missouri; Nauvoo, Illinois; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Winter Quarters, Nebraska; and Ogden, Utah. She also comments on her emigration to Utah,...
Dates: 1880-1899
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Nancy Alexander Tracy autobiographical writings

Orange L. Wight recollections

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231045029]
Identifier: MSS 1025
Scope and Contents

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).

Dates: approximately 1830-1844
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Orange L. Wight recollections

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