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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 47 Collections and/or Records:

Dale W. Adams research collection on Mormons in Ohio

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2376
Scope and Contents

The contents of this collection represent the research notes of Dale Adams regarding several important events in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In many cases, photocopies of original sources are included in the collection. The main focus of the collection is the Ohio period of LDS history, with particular attention being paid to Solomon Spaulding (or Spalding) and D. Philastus Hurbut (or Hurlburt).

Dates: 1968-2001

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

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

Willard Washington Beans papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321710]
Identifier: MSS SC 2271
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of a typewritten autobiography, a newspaper clipping, a Mormon Church blessing, and an essay. Also included are photocopies of handwritten letters received by Bean. These items include letters received from Mormon Church leaders Heber J. Grant and J. Golden Kimball. Bean was a missionary to the Southern States and lived in Palmyra, New York from 1915 to 1939.

Dates: 1893-1978

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

Jacob Kemp Butterfield correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230327600]
Identifier: MSS SC 2841
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten and typed copies of correspondence. Butterfield writes to his mother and other family members. Butterfield writes about his missionary work for the Mormon Church in Missouri; his association and employment with Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church; and his life in Missouri, Illinois, and Missouri. He also writes about his service with the Mormon Battalion. Also included is a biography of Abel Butterfield.

Dates: 1837-1886

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

Donald Q. Cannon research materials

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197230223528]
Identifier: MSS 2005
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten and typed letters, histories, interviews, diaries, pamphlets, and newspapers. The materials relate to a large range of topics in the early history of the Mormon Church; Joseph Smith, second president of the Mormon Church; and his family. Interviewees include Smith family members and those who knew them. The items were copied by Donald Q. Cannon as part of the continuing Mormon Church History Sources Project.

Dates: 1840-1981

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 4123
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, church related, financial records, legal records, and miscellaneous documents. Notable documents (all photocopies) include an 1844 letter from Joseph Smith while in Carthage Jail and a list of Mormon Battalion soldiers.

Dates: 1831-1964