Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Joseph Smith, Jr. agreement with Martin Harris
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.
Hyrum L. Andrus book drafts
Typewritten book drafts with handwritten corrections. One of the drafts is for Andrus' book "Doctrinal Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price" which was first published in 1960. The other draft is of his book "Joseph Smith: The Man and the Seer" which was first published in 1967. Andrus comments on the Mormon scripture, the Pearl of Great Price, and writes a biography of Joseph Smith, the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Donald Q. Cannon research materials
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.
Robert Filmore letter
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter, dated 6 July 1844, and composed in Warren County, Illinois. Filmore writes to "dear children" and tells them about the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum. He also speaks about the Mormon temple in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Sally Randall letter
Typed copy of a letter written in Nauvoo, Illinois, on July 1, 1844 and addressed to "Dear Friends." Randall writes about the murder of the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum.
Fred W. Schwendiman statement
Typewritten statement. Schwindiman writes concerning an observation made by Preston Nibley in the Mormon Church Archives relating aid given by Newell Knight to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery while they were translating the Book of Mormon.
J. Winter Smith collection
Joseph Smith Jr. receipt
Handwritten and signed receipt dated 11 April 1844. Smith states he received $450 from Wilson Law in partial payment of a debt.
Joseph Smith letter
Joseph Smith letter
Photograph of a handwritten and signed letter, dated 17 June 1844, and addressed to John P. Greene. Smith writes about his concerns on the possibilities of mob actions near Nauvoo, Illinois.