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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 175 Collections and/or Records:

In the pioneer group to the Iron Co. Mission, was another great leader, Anson Call, who became a great colonizer

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329770]
Identifier: MSS SC 3079
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a microfilm reproduction of a typed manuscript. The item is a biography of Anson Call by an unnamed author. The date of composition is uncertain. Anson Call was born in Fletcher, Franklin County, Vermont on 13 May 1810. Call married Mary Flint and later joined the Mormon Church. "He was closely associated with the Prophet Joseph [Joseph Smith, 1805-1844], and with the saints was driven from his home. He had a great love the the Prophet and did all he could to protect him...
Dates: 1930

Ivan J. Barrett addresses, circa 1957-1963

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Recordings of Barrett's addresses.

Dates: circa 1957-1963

Ivan J. Barrett Sunday School lessons and other addresses, 1983-1990

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Recordings of Barrett's Sunday School lessons.

Dates: 1983-1990

Ivan J. Barrett video recording and papers, 1989

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2197 Series 3
Scope and Contents note

A video recording of Barrett and several printed programs.

Dates: 1989

Udney Hay Jacob letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325737]
Identifier: MSS SC 2705
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter addressed to Martin Van Buren and dated 19 March 1840. Jacob writes to Van Buren offering to aid him in the presidential election if Van Buren would finance the printing of a manuscript to be used against Joseph Smith and the Mormons.

Dates: 1840 March 19

Typescript copy of Benjamin F. Johnson letter to George Snow Gibbs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578648]
Identifier: MSS 8915
Content Description Contains a typescript of a 1903 letter from Benjamin F. Johnson, who was in Mesa, Arizona, to George Snow Gibbs in Salt Lake City, Utah, written in response to a request from Gibbs to have Johnson relate some of his early experiences in the Church, particularly with reference to his associations with Joseph Smith. Topics covered by Johnson include plural marriage and its effect on the members of the Church; Joseph Smith's charge to the Twelve Apostles before his death, causes for persecution...
Dates: 1911

Benjamin F. Johnson papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230317114]
Identifier: MSS SC 1912
Scope and Contents

The collection contains handwritten letters, a reminiscence, and a draft for an obituary. The reminiscence is by Sarah Melissa Johnson and relates to her life growing up in Nauvoo, Illinois. She mentions how her father was called to protect the Prophet Joseph Smith whom they considered to be in danger.

Dates: 1881-1907

Joseph Smith portraits : a search for the prophet's likeness

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2072
Abstract

Items include research notes and materials regarding the many different representations of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Contains copies of these likenesses, and also contains information on the different artists who have created them, particularly Sutcliffe Maudsley. A large portion of the material deals with the death mask of Joseph Smith, and its comparison to his portraits.

Dates: approximately 1975-1997

Joseph Smith : prophet to our generation

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322072]
Identifier: MSS SC 2331
Scope and Contents

Typewritten copy of an address delivered at General Conference for the Mormon Church on 4 Oct. 1981. Benson talks about the role of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), in founding the faith and in guiding his followers.

Dates: 1981

Joseph Smith : the man / [Brigham Young University] ; [director, producer, T.C. Christensen], 1980

 Sub-Series — Reel 37: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233634382]
Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 24
Scope and Contents

Film was released in 1980, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department. The film depicts a elderly women sharing her great-grandfather's experiences with Joseph Smith to children. The collection has one copy on a film reel. Dated 1980.

Dates: 1980