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 226 Collections and/or Records:
Jennetta Richards letters
Five holograph letters plus typescripts of each. All of the letters were written to the family of Jennetta Richards (d. 1845) in England. Three are by Jennetta and were composed in Nauvoo, Illinois. They are largely concerned with family matters. One dated 8 July 1844 tells of the assassination of the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).
Samuel W. Richards sworn oath
Biography of Sidney Ridgdon
Photocopy of a handwritten biography of Sidney Rigdon. John Rigdon writes about the activities of his father before, during, and after Sidney was a member of the Mormon Church. The date of the composition of the item is uncertain. Also included are correspondence, draft of an essay, and a published article edited by Karl Keller for the journal, "Dialogue+ a Journal of Mormon Thought." Keller edited Rigdon's account for publication.
Benjamin Riter letters
David R. Roberts scripts
Script of pageant calls for a narrator and four characters: Father Adam, Moses, Daniel, and Joseph Smith, each of whom gives a brief synopsis of his life. Each of these prophets tells his own story as found in Mormon scriptures. Roberts wrote this pageant for his Mormon High Priest's Quorum in refutation of the Darwinian theory of evolution.
John J. Roberts prophecy
Typewritten "Prophecy" supposedly copied from a "journal of Elder John J. Roberts of Paradise, Utah." The information was "related to Edwin Rushton and Theadore Turley, May 6th, 1843 by the Prophet Joseph Smith." The item contains the "White Horse Prophecy" also called the "Horse Shoe Prophecy." The dating of the item is uncertain.
Joseph Lee Robinson journal fragments
Joseph Lee Robinson's autobiography and journal, 1852-1893. Joseph Lee Robinson writes about his family, spiritual manifestations, conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's teachings, his journey from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, service as a bishop, how seagulls saved the crops, death of Jedediah M. Grant, his plural wives and his journey to southeast Idaho.
J. Rossle anti-Mormon negatives
11 rolls of anti-Mormon negatives on microfilm, beginning with J. Rossle's publication in German, circa 1915-1920.
Sceduel of book accounts
Ledger page, written on both sides, titled "Sceduel of Book Accounts," signed by Joseph W. Coolidge, the "Administrator of Joseph Smith deceased." A note on the page indicates it was filed January 15, 1845. The sheet is an accounting of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s personal debts, including names of creditors and dollar amounts.
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.