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 23 Collections and/or Records:
Arrest warrant
Handwritten and signed arrest warrant, dated 6 Dec. 1842, and written in Nauvoo, Illinois. As mayor, Smith signs a warrant ordering the marshall of Nauvoo to arrest Amos Davis who had been accused of assault by William C. Walker. On the reverse is a statement saying that Davis was brought before a city court.
William Marks arrest warrant
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thomas Carlin certificate for Joseph Smith
Printed and handwritten certificate, dated 13 June 1842, and signed by Carlin. The item affirms that Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church, is elected mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois. On the reverse of the manuscript is found a handwritten copy of the oath of office for mayor which is signed by Joseph Smith.
Church Historical Sites
This collection contains photographs and postcards of various historical sites relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These sites include: Nauvoo, Orderville, Kirtland, Palmyra, and various LDS temples. Portraits of people include: Joseph Smith, C.S. Forester, and General Fremont with his wife and daughter. Also included in the collection is a book titled American Frontier Photography and a photograph of the 1955 Utah State Senate 31st session.
Elders at the first conference at Nauvoo since the expulsion of 1846 : photographed in front of the the Joseph Smith Mansion
An oversize photograph, a newspaper clipping entitled: "Mormons Visit Nauvoo". A brief biography of Gilbert Morse Burr (1881-1982), one of the missionaries in the photograph, is enclosed. It was written by his daughter, Ardys Burr Crane.
Zenos H. Gurley letter to Joseph Smith, Jr.
Handwritten and signed letter dated 4 May 1842 and addressed to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Mormon Church. Gurley writes that he was unable to attend a meeting with the Nauvoo Legion militia organization and describes the founding of a branch of the Mormon Church in Wisconsin.