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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 6 Collections and/or Records:

Church Historical Sites

 Collection — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197227655476]
Identifier: MSS 3817
Scope and Contents

This collection contains photographs and postcards of various historical sites relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These sites include: Nauvoo, Orderville, Kirtland, Palmyra, and various LDS temples. Portraits of people include: Joseph Smith, C.S. Forester, and General Fremont with his wife and daughter. Also included in the collection is a book titled American Frontier Photography and a photograph of the 1955 Utah State Senate 31st session.

Dates: Approximately 1850-1985

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

Ebeneezer Emory Gore autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324037]
Identifier: MSS SC 2473
Scope and Contents Typewritten carbon copy of an autobiography with pencilled corrections composed in Lawrence, Kansas in 1904. Gore participated in an overland journey to Jacksonville, Oregon in 1852 and presents many insights into frontier and pioneer life. Gore was familiar with the Mormons in Kirtland, Ohio and in Nauvoo, Illinois. After the Mormons arrived in Kirtland, "the chicken-roosts suffered ... and the herds of stock frequently became reduced." When confronted the Mormons "would acknowledge the...
Dates: 1904

Vinson Knight account book

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340033]
Identifier: MSS 70
Abstract

The folder contains photocopies of a handwritten account book written between 1836-1840. The items list transactions involving Mormons in Kirtland, Ohio and in Nauvoo, Illinois including leaders such as Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876). The materials were photocopied from a microfilm collection.

Dates: 1836-1840

John Murdock journal and autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233631024]
Identifier: MSS SC 997
Scope and Contents

Materials include two copies of the typescript of an autobiography covering, 1792-1867, and journals, 1830-1859. Murdock was a Campbellite who joined the Mormon Church in 1830. He lived with Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet, in 1833 and participated in "Zion's Camp" in 1834. He lived in Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; and Lehi, Utah and was in Missouri during the persecution of Mormons in that state.

Dates: 1830-1867

Nathan Tanner autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231566537]
Identifier: MSS 836
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten autobiography. Tanner writes about joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1831; participating in Zion's Camp in 1834; life in Kirtland, Ohio; his mission to the Eastern States for the Church; and his life in Far West, Missouri, and in Nauvoo, Illinois. He also tells about his interaction with early leaders of the Church and about troubles with mobs in Missouri and Illinois.

Dates: approximately 1854