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 59 Collections and/or Records:
Typescript copy of Benjamin F. Johnson letter to George Snow Gibbs
Joseph Smith : prophet to our generation
Typewritten copy of an address delivered at General Conference for the Mormon Church on 4 Oct. 1981. Benson talks about the role of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), in founding the faith and in guiding his followers.
Kirtland Council minute book
Vinson Knight account book
The folder contains photocopies of a handwritten account book written between 1836-1840. The items list transactions involving Mormons in Kirtland, Ohio and in Nauvoo, Illinois including leaders such as Joseph Smith (1805-1844) and Sidney Rigdon (1793-1876). The materials were photocopied from a microfilm collection.
Man who helped kill Mormon head in 1844 confessed in Mt. Airy
Typewritten account probably copied from a newspaper from the year 1927. The article states that Dr. H. K. Doyer "tells of getting confession from Corporal Bolton." Bolton "disclosed details of Crime on his Death Bed." The item states that Bolton was one of the men who shot the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844). The confession was suposedly given in 1898.
Eliza Clayton Margetts reminiscence
Photocopy of a handwritten reminiscence. Margetts writes about her life in Carthage and Nauvoo, Illinois. She describes the events surrounding the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith. She also mentions events in Nauvoo, Illinois, when the Mormons were ejected from that town. She also witnessed the "miracle of the quales." The date of the composition of the item is uncertain.
William Martin papers
Photocopies of handwritten and printed notes and certificates. The notes relate to the significant dates in Martin's life, and the certificates state that Martin is a member of the Mormon Church in good standing. One was signed by the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).
Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
William E. McLellin and Orson Hyde meeting minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The William E. McLellin and Orson Hyde meeting minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a typed copy of the proceedings that occurred in meetings of 1835.
Andrew Moore autobiography
Photocopy of typewritten excerpts from Moore's autobiography. Moore writes about his conversion to the Mormon Church and his experiences in that faith while living in Missouri and Illinois. He also tells about the death of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).