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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:

Correspondence—personal, 1902-1965

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Includes the personsal correspondence of M. Wilford Poulson with family, BYU classmates, and others.

Dates: 1902-1965

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

Miscellaneous Americana Acquisitions (Original), 1826-1938

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 12
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Collection contains correspondence, diaries, and research materials of M. Wilford Poulson. Some of this material is regarding his work as a psychologist. Also included are many important research documents pertaining to the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. Much of the research of the early church history pertains to Joseph Smith. The documents date from 1826-1964. Some of the materials are originals while many are...
Dates: 1826-1938

Mormon American Acquisitions, date of production not identified

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains documents, compiled by M. Wilford Poulson, relating to early Church history and controversial events and topics.

Dates: date of production not identified

Mormon Americana acquisitions, date of production not identified

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 8
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Collection contains correspondence, diaries, and research materials of M. Wilford Poulson. Some of this material is regarding his work as a psychologist. Also included are many important research documents pertaining to the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. Much of the research of the early church history pertains to Joseph Smith. The documents date from 1826-1964. Some of the materials are originals while many are...
Dates: date of production not identified

Mormon Americana acquisitions and endeavors, date of production not identified

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains M. Wilford Poulson's notes on leaders, scriptures, and doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dates: date of production not identified

Mormon Americana Acquisitions (not original manuscripts), 1831-1953

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains documents, mostly photocopies, relating to the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Compiled by M. Wilford Poulson.

Dates: 1831-1953

Mormon Americana Acquisitions (not original manuscripts), A-M, 1825-1947

 Series
Identifier: MSS 823 Series 9
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Collection contains correspondence, diaries, and research materials of M. Wilford Poulson. Some of this material is regarding his work as a psychologist. Also included are many important research documents pertaining to the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. Much of the research of the early church history pertains to Joseph Smith. The documents date from 1826-1964. Some of the materials are originals while many are...
Dates: 1825-1947

Mormon Manuscript Retrieval Project collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 19
Abstract Photocopies of reminiscences, histories, maps, and miscellaneous materials relating to the early Mormon experience in Ohio and New Hampshire. A. Gary Anderson and Milton V. Backman, Jr., faculty members of the Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, did research on Mormon Church history. Anderson worked in New Hampshire in 1973 and Backman did research in Ohio in 1974. Their project was to collect copies of manuscripts and documents relating to the early members...
Dates: 1772-1974

Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill research files for Carthage Conspiracy

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1519
Scope and Contents

Contains miscellaneous notes, correspondence, newspaper articles, several drafts of the book, footnotes, bibliographic notes, and photographs. Many of the items were gathered from the Hancock County courthouse. Materials were compiled between approximately 1970 and 1975 for the production of the book Carthage Conspiracy.

Dates: approximately 1970-1975