Skip to main content

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 268 Collections and/or Records:

Declaration of the Council of the Twelve Apostles

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230241942]
Identifier: MSS SC 457
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1844 March
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Oliver Granger deed

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287900]
Identifier: Vault MSS 359
Scope and Contents

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."

Dates: 1839
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Deeds, wills, maps, pictures and historical information of the Joseph Smith and Isaac Hale farms

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230232503]
Identifier: MSS SC 15
Scope and Contents

Scrapbook containing information regarding the Joseph Smith and Isaac Hale farms in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Includes photographs of the farms and surrounding areas, typewritten excerpts of county and town histories, typescript and photostat copies of the deeds which passed the properties from one individual to another, and notarized statements from Samuel Colwell and Rex B. Hawes, former residents of the farms, concerning the two farms.

Dates: 1957
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Art DeHoyos essays on Joseph Smith and masonry

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230353945]
Identifier: MSS 7451
Abstract

Collection consists of two essays discussing the effect of Masonry during the life of Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1980-1982
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Minor R. Deming letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325752]
Identifier: MSS SC 2707
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1845 July 17
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Diggle family papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197223103141]
Identifier: MSS 2208
Scope and Contents Mainly letters to the Samuel and Sarah Diggle family, in Iowa, from relatives, including Elizabeth W. Andrew and George Openshaw, Salt Lake City; Nancy W. Butterworth, Mary Diggle, and Mary Banks, Heywood, Lancashire, England; and Robert B. Whitaker, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Topics include family news, plural marriage, Brigham Young, and the family of Joseph Smith Jr. Envelopes accompany several of the letters. Includes letters from children of Elizabeth Andrew and Nancy Butterworth. Also...
Dates: 1854-1893
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Richard Drew letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230320530]
Identifier: MSS SC 2174
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a typewritten and signed letter addressed to Philip Wilson. The item deals with questions on the successor of the Mormon Church after the death of Joseph Smith (1805-1844) from the position of the Strangites.

Dates: 1983
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Dudley family correspondence

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 449
Scope and Contents

21 ALS's (plus typescripts of 11) referring to family matters, exhortations to join the Mormon Church, and descriptions of Nauvoo and settlement of Utah.

Dates: 1844-1897
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

James G. Duffin diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1696
Scope and Contents Handwritten and bound diaries. Also included are bound photocopies of the handwritten journals. The items are for the years 1887 through 1889 when Duffin served as a missionary for the Mormon Church in the Southern States Mission. The diaries also cover the years 1901 through 1906 when Duffin was president of the Southwestern States Mission (1900-1904) and of the Central States Mission (1904-1906) also for the Mormon Church. Duffin includes handwritten copies of letters both sent and...
Dates: 1887-1906
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Lemuel Durfee account book

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230348986]
Identifier: MSS 3943
Abstract

Lemuel Durfee's account book, its typescript, and lyrics to a song, 1817-1829.

Dates: 1817-1829
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.