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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 3 Collections and/or Records:

David Hale ledger

 Digital Record
Identifier: MSS7614_O3_F1
Dates: 1827-1869

David Hale ledger, 1827-1869

 Item — Oversize 3: [Barcode: 31197233635090], Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 7614
Scope and Contents

Ledger used by David Hale to record financial transactions with friends, family, and community members. Includes entries from Harmony, Pennsylvania and Amboy, Illinois, including references to transactions with Mormonism founder Joseph Smith. Ledger content dates from 1827 to 1869.

Color photocopies and a digital scan of the ledger are also included.

Dates: 1827-1869

David and Ira P. Hale papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7614
Scope and Contents

Collection includes the originals, photocopies, and digital scans of a ledger used by David Hale and two notebooks used by Ira P. Hale. Also includes a photocopy and a typescript of a letter from Lorenzo D. Wasson, Emma Smith, and a third author to David Hale. The handwriting may be from Joseph Smith, but it is unsigned. Original documents date from 1827 to 1888.

Dates: 1827-1888