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Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844

 Person

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 51 Collections and/or Records:

Brent Ashworth collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS SC 1086
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous assortment of photocopies of manuscripts related to the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Illinois and Utah, including financial and legal documents, letters, notes, and other documents. Materials dated 1830-1956, with the bulk dated from 1837 to 1892.

Dates: 1830-1956; Majority of material found within 1837-1892

John M. Bernhisel letter

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231019354]
Identifier: Vault MSS 8
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1841 August 18

Jacob G. Bigler autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230326263]
Identifier: MSS SC 2757
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1907

Lillburn W. Boggs letters received

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325661]
Identifier: MSS SC 2698
Scope and Contents Photographs of a handwritten and signed letters addressed to Lilburn W. Boggs and dated 22 and 24 July 1840. One of the items is from Chauncey Durkus denying reports that he has been involved in arresting Mormons in Illinois and taking them back to Missouri. The veracity of his statements was confirmed by the signatures of 37 residents of Lewis County, Missouri. The other item was signed by 11 residents of Lewis County claiming that persons; who went to Nauvoo, Illinois, to recover stolen...
Dates: 1840 July 24; 1840 July 22

Joseph Smith, Jr. bonds

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230342997]
Identifier: MSS 771
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1839-1845

Lorenzo Brown diary and autobiography

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 497
Scope and Contents Includes Lorenzo Brown's handwritten diary and autobiography. Brown's autobiography starts in 1856 when his diary begins. Describes his conversion to the Mormon Church, life in Nauvoo, Illinois, and relationship with Joseph Smith, the first president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brown then describes his migration to Salt Lake City, Utah, settling in Las Vegas, Nevada, a move to the St. George, Utah area, service on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...
Dates: 1856-1902

Jacob Kemp Butterfield correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230327600]
Identifier: MSS SC 2841
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten and typed copies of correspondence. Butterfield writes to his mother and other family members. Butterfield writes about his missionary work for the Mormon Church in Missouri; his association and employment with Joseph Smith, the first president of the Mormon Church; and his life in Missouri, Illinois, and Missouri. He also writes about his service with the Mormon Battalion. Also included is a biography of Abel Butterfield.

Dates: 1837-1886

Claims on the estates of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2226
Scope and Contents

Handwritten claims and bills submitted against the estates of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The items request payments on charges made by the two men between 1841 and 1844. Joseph and Hyrum were brothers and leaders of the Mormon Church. They were murdered in 1844.

Dates: 1844-1845

Oliver Granger deed

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287900]
Identifier: Vault MSS 359
Scope and Contents

Handwritten deed verifying that Granger will purchase a lot in Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith, first president of the Mormon Church, signed as "accredited agent of Oliver Granger."

Dates: 1839

Minor R. Deming letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230325752]
Identifier: MSS SC 2707
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and signed letter dated 17 July 1845 and addressed to "Gen. Ewing." Deming admits that the hope of expelling the Mormons from Hancock County had been abandoned and indicates that he had been accused of the murder of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

Dates: 1845 July 17