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 59 Collections and/or Records:
Moses Martin letter to Joseph Smith
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.
Sutcliffe Maudsley portraits
Pen-and-ink portraits of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), and his brother, Hyrum Smith (1800-1844). The items have been framed for possible display. The portraits may have been cut from something larger. The items were signed at the bottom of each picture and were dated 1844. Collection also includes digital scans of the items on compact disc.
Passenger waybills, Nauvoo to Jacksonville, and Nauvoo to Quincy, Ill.
Passenger waybills for the transport of Monrow Davis from Quincy, Illinois, to Nauvoo, Illinois. The item was originally purchased at Quincy, Illinois. Also included are William Houck, listed as "Houcks Boy," and E. R. Rumsey from Warsaw to Nauvoo, Illinois, paid to R. S. Robertson.
Sally Randall letter
Typed copy of a letter written in Nauvoo, Illinois, on July 1, 1844 and addressed to "Dear Friends." Randall writes about the murder of the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum.
Arnold Auer Reiser diary entry
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.
Fred W. Schwendiman statement
Typewritten statement. Schwindiman writes concerning an observation made by Preston Nibley in the Mormon Church Archives relating aid given by Newell Knight to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery while they were translating the Book of Mormon.
J. Winter Smith collection
Joseph Smith affidavit
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed statement. Smith stated that he was "elected Sole Trustee" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for life. The item was notarized in Nauvoo, Illinois, for Hancock County.
Joseph Smith correspondence
Photocopies of handwritten correspondence. The items include a letter to the president of the United States, John Tyler (1790-1862), requesting federal aid from the mobs in Illinois; a note to Smith's wife, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879); and a receipt for Joseph Smith's coffin.
Joseph Smith deed
Typescript of a deed and items which verify its validity. The materials document Smith's purchase of land in the town of Harmony in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.