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 71 Collections and/or Records:
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.
Joseph Smith letters
Photocopy of a handwritten letter with a typescript of the item. This letter is dated 27 June 1844 at 8:20 A.M. and was written from Carthage Jail. Also included is a typewritten copy of another letter dated 23 June probably also in the year 1844. Both letters were addressed to Smith's wife, Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879). Smith describes the condition of his incarceration, states that they have no valid case against him, and expresses the belief that he was in little danger.
Samuel H. B. Smith correspondence
Photocopies of handwritten letters between Samuel H. B. Smith and William R. Hamilton. The items are concerned with the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the involvement of Samuel Harrison Smith in the removal of their bodies.
Edward Stevenson papers
227 p. holograph diary (1895-1896) which contains an account of Stevenson's travels as a visiting Mormon Church leader to Arizona and the Northwestern United States. Collection includes many newspaper clippings regarding state, world, and church events. Also included is an account of visits and letters of David Smith, son of Joseph Smith.
Robin R. Tucker letter
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter, addressed to E. Jay Bell of Provo, Utah, and dated 5 Feb. 1972. Tucker writes about the Mormon Church publications, the "Book of Commandments" and the "Doctrine and Covenants." He also tells about the difficulties the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith, had in getting the "Book of Commandments" published.
John Webster letter
Photocopy of a handwritten letter dated 17 July 1831. Webster tells of being approached by a "Mormonite," Samuel Harrison Smith (1808-1844), to buy a "gold Bible" (Book of Mormon). Webster asked Smith how his brother, Joseph Smith (1801-1844), wrote it. "He said that he would look under a shiney stone in the dark and there he would see the words appear."
William Weston letter
Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated Feb. 1843 and addressed to George C. Weston of Rockville, Connecticut. The item was also written by "Rebeca Weston." The Westons express a negative view of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith. They also dislike the fact that many Mormons are coming to Illinois.
Eliza Westover letter
Photocopy of a handwritten letter with a typescript of the item. Westover writes to "Lew" in response to his questions about the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). She outlines her life and tells of her conversion to the LDS Church, her life in Nauvoo, Illinois, the death of Joseph Smith, and her migration to Utah.
Robert Wilmore letter
Letter to "Dear Children" written from Warren County, Illinois, July 6, 1844. This item includes his opinion on the death of the "imposter" Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Mormon prophet. He says some people thought a few of Smith's own followers killed him.
Mary Ann Hoopes Yearsley papers
Materials include papers related primarily to Yearsley. Includes a holograph journal of a visit to her home state of Pennsylvania in 1872 and a printed life sketch compiled by James D. Cummings, a grandson, in 1914. Also includes her husband, David Dutton Yearsley's, missionary recommend signed by John D. Lee and Joseph Young, Nauvoo, Illinois, 1844. Dated 1844-1914.