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 113 Collections and/or Records:
Circuit Court recognizance
Handwritten bond dated September 7, 1838, signed by Joseph Smith, Jr. and others before Judge Austin King of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court. The bond was for $500.00 and bound Joseph Smith, Jr. and Lyman Wight over to the court.
Moses Clawson autobiography
Handwritten autobiography. Clawson writes about his experiences in the Mormon Church, persecutions he faced as a member of that faith, and his association with the first president of the Mormon Church, Jospeh Smith.
Collection on early Mormon history
Materials include typescripts of records on early Mormon history. Includes information on Joseph Smith, William Smith, and John Whitmer, and other early Church leaders. Dated 1830-1846.
Martha Coray notebook
Martha Cragun Cox collected reminiscences
Photocopy of a handwritten notebook. The item includes reminiscent accounts collected by Cox from elderly people who knew Joseph Smith. Much of the information comes from family stories. The date of the materials is uncertain, perhaps near the end of the nineteenth century.
Edward Cram letter
Handwritten and signed letter, addressed to Cram's sister Laura and details personal matters. Mentioned briefly are the Philadelphia riots and the murder of Joseph Smith.
Daviess County (Mo.) court order
Photocopy of a change of venue order. "Caleb Baldwin, Lyman Wight, Joseph Smith Jr. and others" were charged with arson. The judge ordered them transferred to Boone County where he thought they could receive a fair trial.
Daviess County legal documents
Photocopies of handwritten court proceedings of cases tried in Daviess County and Boone County, Missouri. The trials relate to Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and others being tried for treason; the trial of Parley P. Pratt (1807-1857), an apostle of the Church, for murder; testimony against Caleb Baldwin; and testimony against King Follet on charges of robbery. Dated 1839.