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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 5 Collections and/or Records:

William Marks arrest warrant

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233289252]
Identifier: Vault MSS 366
Scope and Contents

Handwritten arrest warrant, dated 28 Nov. 1842, and registered in Nauvoo, Illinois. Marks seeks the arrest of Thomas J. Hunter for slandering Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1842 November 28
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / William Marks arrest warrant

Emma Hale Smith certificate

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 432
Scope and Contents

Printed form with handwritten entries. The item is dated 17 July 1844 and is signed. Emma Smith accepts responsibility for the estate of her husband, Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1844 July 17
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Emma Hale Smith certificate

Martha Coray notebook

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 230
Scope and Contents Notebook includes Coray's interview notes used in compiling of Lucy Mack Smith's history of Joseph Smith.Smith family history notes contain John and Clarissa Smith's account of visit by Joseph Smith Sr. to Smith family members, including his father, Asael Smith, in Lawrence County, New York, in 1830; John Smith's account of his and Joseph Smith Sr.'s reunion with their mother, Mary Duty Smith, at Kirtland, Ohio, and their subsequent journey eastward to visit Church branches and...
Dates: 1845
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Martha Coray notebook

Edward Cram letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230309269]
Identifier: MSS SC 1195
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, addressed to Cram's sister Laura and details personal matters. Mentioned briefly are the Philadelphia riots and the murder of Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1844
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Edward Cram letter

Manchester Library records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230335264]
Identifier: MSS 367
Scope and Contents Photocopies of handwritten and typewritten correspondence, lists of books, secretary's record book for the years from 1817 to 1854, constitution of the Manchester Library, names of stock holders, titles of 417 books, and two Manchester Library membership books from 1825 to 1857. Many of the items relate to the work of John Pratt, who served as Manchester Librarian. The materials were originally housed in Pratt's home but are now found in the Ontario County Historical Society. The books in...
Dates: 1817-1966
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Manchester Library records

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