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 268 Collections and/or Records:
Willard Washington Beans papers
Photocopies of a typewritten autobiography, a newspaper clipping, a Mormon Church blessing, and an essay. Also included are photocopies of handwritten letters received by Bean. These items include letters received from Mormon Church leaders Heber J. Grant and J. Golden Kimball. Bean was a missionary to the Southern States and lived in Palmyra, New York from 1915 to 1939.
Research materials relating to John Cook Bennett
Includes correspondence with Dr. Frederick C. Waite and Dale L. Morgan, printed material, and numerous notes and references relative to the life and activities of John C. Bennett.
John M. Bernhisel letter
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.
David Bettisworth report
Holograph. A statement signed by Bettisworth having delivered Joseph Smith, Jr., et al. to R.H. Smith, Justice of the Peace, for trial in Charthage, Illinois.* Noted on the document are constable's fees, and three men, Orrin Porter Rockwell, William Edwards and Samual Bennett, not found after release by writ of habeas corpus. The 18 men listed on the document were those cited on a writ for riot in the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.
Jacob G. Bigler autobiography
Photocopy of a typescript of an autobiography. Bigler writes about his relationship with the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), his life in Nauvoo, Illinois, his migration to Utah, and his life in Nephi, Utah. Bigler served on a mission for the Mormon Church in Ireland and was active in Mormon Church activities in Nephi.
Stephen Elder bill for Joseph Smith, Jr.
Handwritten bill from Stephen Elder to Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, for goods sold to Smith in March-July 1840, apparently for sale in Joseph Smith's store. The manuscript includes three entries for tobacco. The item was filed against Smith's estate on 27 May 1846, with a total of $2.89 interest added to the bill.
Biography Joseph Alston
Photocopy of a microfilm copy of a typed biography. Joseph Alston was born in 1821 in England, and he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1839. He migrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he knew Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church. He migrated to Utah probably in 1850 and died in 1891.
Lillburn W. Boggs letters received
Joseph Smith, Jr. bonds
Photocopies of handwritten and signed bonds. Three of the items are signed by Smith, date form 1839 and 1841, and relate to purchases of property in Nauvoo, Illinois. The fourth item is dated 27 Sept. 1845 and deals with Nathaniel Whiting transferring property.
The book of gold
Contains the music and lyrics for the 2-act opera "The Book of Gold," written for the 2005 celebration of Joseph Smith Jr.'s birth. The opera lyrics were written by Glen Nelson, and the music was written by Murray Boren. It was performed at Brigham Young University, and tells part of the story of Joseph Smith.