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 14 Collections and/or Records:
Emma Hale Smith certificate
Printed form with handwritten entries. The item is dated 17 July 1844 and is signed. Emma Smith accepts responsibility for the estate of her husband, Joseph Smith.
Talitha C. Avery Cheney autobiography and a biography
Vesta Pierce Crawford book drafts
Photocopies of typewritten book drafts and supplementary materials for the "Life and History of Emma Hale Smith, 1804-1879" and "A Journal History of the Relief Society Building."
Mary Field Garner autobiography
Typewritten excerpts from an autobiography. Garner writes about her conversion to Mormonism, her life in Nauvoo, Illinois, her memories of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and the "mantle" of the prophet falling on Brigham Young (1801-1877), her journey to Utah, and her life in Slaterville, Utah.
Jesse Hale letter
Typescript of a signed letter dated March 30, 1845 and addressed to Emma Hale Smith, wife of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Hale comments on Joseph Smith's generosity to him.
Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History symposia records, 1987-2005
Mary E. Lightner papers
Eliza Clayton Margetts reminiscence
Photocopy of a handwritten reminiscence. Margetts writes about her life in Carthage and Nauvoo, Illinois. She describes the events surrounding the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith. She also mentions events in Nauvoo, Illinois, when the Mormons were ejected from that town. She also witnessed the "miracle of the quales." The date of the composition of the item is uncertain.
Mormon enigma : Emma Hale Smith, prophet's wife, "elect lady," polygamy's foe
Typewritten book draft with handwritten corrections. The item is an early draft of "Mormon Enigma" which length was later reduced as requested by the publisher, Doubleday & Company. The manuscript is a biography of Emma Hale Smith, first wife of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.