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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 14 Collections and/or Records:

Joseph Smith, Jr. agreement with Martin Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230338599]
Identifier: MSS 929
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed agreement dated 16 Jan. 1830 in Manchester, New York. Smith authorizes Martin Harris to sell copies of the Book of Mormon. The item was witnessed by Oliver Cowdery.

Dates: 1830 January 16
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith, Jr. agreement with Martin Harris

Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2197
Abstract Recordings of LDS Sunday School lessons and other presentations by Barrett on several topics including Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, the Doctrine and Covenants, LDS Church history, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon. Presentations were recorded by D. Clayton Bishop, friend to Barrett and fellow member of the Orem 13th Ward, Orem Utah Sharon Stake. Also includes videocassette of a musical performance by Barrett and members of his family, 1989; plus handouts entitled,...
Dates: approximately 1957-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Ivan J. Barrett audio recordings

Copyright certificate

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230309095]
Identifier: MSS SC 1123
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of copyright certificates that were partially printed and partially handwritten. These state that the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), "deposited in this office the title of a book the right wehereof he claims as author." The document relates to the publication of the Book of Mormon. The item also explains the claimed authorship of the book as being composed by ancient writers.

Dates: 1829
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Copyright certificate

Family history of Joan M. Luckett

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230313998]
Identifier: MSS SC 1600
Dates: 1979
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Family history of Joan M. Luckett

Paul Jensen research file on Sidney Rigdon

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230349919]
Identifier: MSS 4048
Abstract

Includes photocopies of genealogies, newspaper clippings, wills, letters, photographs, and maps relating to the life of Sidney Rigdon and his descendants.

Dates: 1759-1892
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Paul Jensen research file on Sidney Rigdon

The last testimony of Martin Harris

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232498862]
Identifier: MSS 236
Scope and Contents Typewritten statement with handwritten corrections. The item was notarized. Homer affirms that he met Martin Harris (1783-1875) in 1869 when returning from a mission for the Mormon Church. He recounts the conversation, much of it word for word, between him and Harris at that time. He also told the second president of the Mormon Church, Brigham Young (1801-1877), about this incident. Homer also tells, again verbatim, what Harris said on his death bed in 1875. Homer states that on each...
Dates: 1928
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The last testimony of Martin Harris

The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230233634]
Identifier: MSS SC 89
Scope and Contents Prepared typescript of a series of ten articles written by J.H. Sherman which appeared in the Ithaca Daily Journal during April and May, 1886. The articles, decidedly anti-Mormon, tell of Joseph Smith's early life, the Solomon Spaulding manuscript from which Smith supposedly got the idea for the Book of Mormon, the organization of the Latter-day Saint Church, the settlement of the Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois, death of Joseph Smith, mob violence in Illinois, expulsion of the Mormons from...
Dates: 1886
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The origin of Mormonism and reminiscences of the Mormons in Illinois

Photocopy of the Printer's Copy of the Book of Mormon

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232481058]
Identifier: MSS 2356
Abstract

A photocopy of the printer's copy of the Book of Mormon, 466 pp. Scribal copy of entire text of the Book of Mormon; each page indicates the relative portion of the volume.

Dates: 1830
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Photocopy of the Printer's Copy of the Book of Mormon

Noel B. Pratt letters and announcements

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329176]
Identifier: MSS SC 2924
Scope and Contents

Material relates to his spiritual writings and beliefs, including his belief in the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon, and his disbelief in Joseph Smith. Other topics include American Indians, the House of Israel, and moneyless trade. In some instances author refers to himself as David Noeleon. A couple of items are addressed to Chad J. Flake.

Dates: approximately 1961-1992
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Noel B. Pratt letters and announcements

Joseph Smith diaries

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230364769]
Identifier: MSS 1644
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten diaries, proclamations, discourse notes, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous documents relating to the life and career of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Also included is a handwritten excerpt from the Book of Mormon.

Dates: 1832-1844
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Joseph Smith diaries

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