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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 4 Collections and/or Records:

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

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

Jennetta Richards letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325695]
Identifier: MSS SC 2701
Scope and Contents Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated 4 July 1843, written in Nauvoo, Illinois, and addressed to Wealthy Richards, then living in Richmond, Massachusetts. Also included are some comments by Willard Richards. Jennetta writes about her recent illness saying she was baptized seven times to recover her health. She also tells about life in Nauvoo and some of Willard's activities. Jennetta also talks about a recent arrest of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph...
Dates: 1843 July 4

Benjamin Riter letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225522272]
Identifier: MSS 3140
Scope and Contents Two letters, written by Benjamin Riter in 1849 and 1850, describing the conditions in Nauvoo, Ill. following the exodus of the Saints. Letters are addressed to a Morgan J. Thomas of Philadelphia, Pa. The first letter describes the future prospects of the city, including information on land purchases and some of the recent settlers. It also describes Riter's involvement in mob activities against the Latter-day Saints. The second seeks additional information about some of the individuals...
Dates: 1849-1850