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 175 Collections and/or Records:
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."
Martha Cragun Cox collected reminiscences
Photocopy of a handwritten notebook. The item includes reminiscent accounts collected by Cox from elderly people who knew Joseph Smith. Much of the information comes from family stories. The date of the materials is uncertain, perhaps near the end of the nineteenth century.
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."
Daviess County legal documents
Photocopies of handwritten court proceedings of cases tried in Daviess County and Boone County, Missouri. The trials relate to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others being tried for treason; the trial of Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857), an apostle of the Church, for murder; testimony against Caleb Baldwin; and testimony against King Follet on charges of robbery. Dated 1839.
Declaration of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
Handwritten, unsigned declaration stating that Joseph Smith, Jr. gave the Council the keys and powers he held and the responsibility of leading the Latter-day Saint Church.
Oliver Granger deed
Handwritten deed verifying that Granger will purchase a lot in Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, signed as "accredited agent of Oliver Granger."
Minor R. Deming letter
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated 17 July 1845 and addressed to "Gen. Ewing." Deming admits that the hope of expelling the Mormons from Hancock County had been abandoned and indicates that he had been accused of the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.