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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 20 Collections and/or Records:

Hyrum L. Andrus letter

 File — Folder 1
Identifier: MSS SC 1072
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter dated May 17, 1953. Andrus travelled with his wife to visit the location of a home owned by the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith (1805-1844) near the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. He describes what he saw there and relates stories of the Smith family that were told to him while he was there.

Dates: 1953 May 17

Hyrum L. Andrus letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230311638]
Identifier: MSS SC 1464
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter. The item is a history of the Manchester, New York home of the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). The letter also provides information on the Smith family.

Dates: 1953

John M. Bernhisel letter

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231019354]
Identifier: Vault MSS 8
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, dated 18 Aug. 1841, composed in New York, and addressed to Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church. Bernhisel writes concerning the purchase of land in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Dates: 1841 August 18

Donald Q. Cannon research materials

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1800
Scope and Contents

Photocopies and microfilmed copies of letters, pamphlets, newspaper articles, sections of books, maps, biographies, histories, and miscellaneous items. The materials relate to a large range of topics in the early history of the Mormon Church, to its early leaders and presidents, and to the genealogies of early prominent members of that faith. The materials were acquired in various research institutions in Massachusetts.

Dates: 1766-1977

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revelation collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1700
Abstract

This collection consists of photocopies of early manuscripts of revelations given to Joseph Smith, most of which are contained in the modern LDS Church's Doctrine and Covenants. Note: Unless otherwise noted, the originals of these documents are located in the Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City.

Dates: 1829-1982

Collection on early Mormon history

 Collection
Identifier: MSS SC 954
Scope and Contents

Materials include typescripts of records on early Mormon history. Includes information on Joseph Smith, William Smith, and John Whitmer, and other early Church leaders. Dated 1830-1846.

Dates: 1830-1846

Gilbert A. Fulton Papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9544
Scope and Contents

Contains Gilbert Fulton's personal notes and extensive research over doctrinal and church history topics for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Various topics include polygamy, Joseph Smith, and John C. Bennett controversies. His collections of text from other sources is a large portion of the collection, including photocopies from newspapers, magazines, members' accounts, and prophets of the Church. Materials dated 1942 to 1986.

Dates: 1942-1986

The globe

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230237817]
Identifier: MSS SC 735
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed statement dated 15 April 1844. Smith outlines his views on many political issues in the United States.

Dates: 1844

Jesse Hale letter

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231044899]
Identifier: MSS 1009
Scope and Contents

Typescript of a signed letter dated March 30, 1845 and addressed to Emma Hale Smith, wife of Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Hale comments on Joseph Smith's generosity to him.

Dates: 1845

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