Joseph Smith.

Name: The Book of Mormon
Author: Joseph Smith

Born 23 Dec 1805 Sharon, United States

Died 27 Jun 1844 Carthage, United States

Citizenship United States

7 min read

Reading time

1,276

Words

May 1, 2026

Published

Books

TL;DR

Joseph Smith Jr., 1805-1844, was an American religious leader who founded Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. At age 24, he published the Book of Mormon in 1830. Within 14 years, he attracted tens of thousands of followers. He was assassinated in Carthage, Illinois on June 27, 1844.

Identity & family.

KIN · 13

Names, aliases, and relatives of Joseph Smith — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

PARENTS: Lucy Mack Smith
SPOUSES: Zina Diantha Huntington Emma Hale
CHILDREN: Julia Murdock Smith Joseph Smith III Alexander Hale Smith David Hyrum Smith
SIBLINGS: Hyrum Smith Samuel H. Smith Alvin Smith Don Carlos Smith William Smith Katharine Smith Salisbury

At a glance.

STATS

Joseph Smith by the numbers — life, work, and family.

38 Years lived

22 Books

2 Marriages

4 Children

Who was Joseph Smith?

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Smith — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

In Sharon, Vermont, on December 23, 1805, Joseph Smith Jr. was born to Lucy Mack Smith. He was one of at least seven children, including Hyrum, Samuel, Alvin, Don Carlos, William, and Katharine. The family moved several times during his childhood, reflecting the frontier mobility of early 19th-century America. His upbringing in a large family provided the context for his later religious leadership.

Career

In 1830, at age 24, Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon, the foundational text of Mormonism. He thereby founded the Latter Day Saint movement. Over the following 14 years, he attracted tens of thousands of followers and built a significant religious community. His life was cut short by assassination in 1844.

Personal life

Joseph Smith married Emma Hale and Zina Diantha Huntington. He had four children: Julia Murdock Smith, Joseph Smith III, Alexander Hale Smith, and David Hyrum Smith. His mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and several siblings, including Hyrum Smith, were closely involved in his religious work.

Legacy

The Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith continues to thrive, with millions of adherents worldwide. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest denomination, traces its origins directly to Smith’s 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon and his prophetic leadership. Smith’s teachings and the movement he launched have had a lasting impact on American religious history and global culture.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 22

Joseph Smith's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

The Book of Mormon

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

Pearl of Great Price

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

The History Atlas of South America

by Edwin Early et al.
Amazon

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

The Cold War

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

Book of Mormon

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

An American Prophet's Record

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

1840 Book of Mormon

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

The Essential Joseph Smith

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

Joseph Smith

by Joseph Smith et al.
Amazon

The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith

by Joseph Smith et al.

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You wanted to know.

FAQ · 27

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Joseph Smith.

When was Joseph Smith born?

Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805. He was born in Sharon, Vermont, to Lucy Mack Smith. He was one of at least seven children.
Where was Joseph Smith born?

Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont, USA. He was born on December 23, 1805, to Lucy Mack Smith. He grew up in a large family.
When did Joseph Smith die?

Joseph Smith died on June 27, 1844. He was assassinated in Carthage, Illinois, at the age of 38. His death marked a turning point for the Latter Day Saint movement.
How old was Joseph Smith when he died?

Joseph Smith was 38 years old when he died. He was born on December 23, 1805, and assassinated on June 27, 1844. His death occurred in Carthage, Illinois.
Where did Joseph Smith die?

Joseph Smith died in Carthage, Illinois, USA. He was assassinated there on June 27, 1844, while held in the local jail. The site is now a historic location.
How did Joseph Smith die?

Joseph Smith was assassinated by a mob on June 27, 1844. The attack occurred at Carthage Jail in Illinois. His death was a result of hostility toward his religious movement.
What nationality is Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith was an American citizen. He was born in the United States and lived his entire life there. He is a key figure in American religious history.
What language did Joseph Smith speak?

Joseph Smith spoke English as his native language. He was born in the United States and communicated in English throughout his life. All his writings and teachings were in English.
Who are Joseph Smith's parents?

Joseph Smith’s mother was Lucy Mack Smith. His father is not widely documented in available records. He had several siblings, including Hyrum, Samuel, Alvin, Don Carlos, William, and Katharine.
Who were Joseph Smith's wives?

Joseph Smith was married to Emma Hale and Zina Diantha Huntington. Emma Hale was the mother of his children. Zina Diantha Huntington was also a wife during his lifetime.
Does Joseph Smith have children?

Yes, Joseph Smith had four children: Julia Murdock Smith, Joseph Smith III, Alexander Hale Smith, and David Hyrum Smith. They were born to his wife Emma Hale. His descendants continue to be involved in the Latter Day Saint movement.
Does Joseph Smith have any siblings?

Yes, Joseph Smith had at least six siblings: Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Alvin Smith, Don Carlos Smith, William Smith, and Katharine Smith Salisbury. They were raised by their mother Lucy Mack Smith.
What is the Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, published by Joseph Smith in 1830. Smith claimed to have translated it from ancient golden plates. It is considered scripture by millions of adherents today.
How old was Joseph Smith when he published the Book of Mormon?

Joseph Smith was 24 years old in 1830 when he published the Book of Mormon. This act marked the formal founding of the Latter Day Saint movement. He continued to lead the movement until his death 14 years later.
How many followers did Joseph Smith attract?

Within 14 years of founding his movement, Joseph Smith attracted tens of thousands of followers. This rapid growth occurred despite significant persecution. His leadership was central to the early expansion of Mormonism.
Why was Joseph Smith assassinated?

Joseph Smith was assassinated on June 27, 1844, by a mob while imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois. The assassination was driven by hostility toward his religious claims and political activities. His death made him a martyr for many followers.
How many members does the Latter Day Saint movement have today?

The Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith continues to the present with millions of global adherents. The largest denomination is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Smith’s founding vision still shapes the faith.
What is Joseph Smith's religious legacy?

Joseph Smith founded the Latter Day Saint movement, which now has millions of followers. His publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830 remains a cornerstone of the faith. He is remembered as a prophet and religious leader.
How many siblings did Joseph Smith have?

Joseph Smith had at least six siblings: Hyrum, Samuel, Alvin, Don Carlos, William, and Katharine. They were raised by their mother Lucy Mack Smith. Some siblings, like Hyrum, were also leaders in the early movement.
What religion did Joseph Smith found?

Joseph Smith founded Mormonism, also known as the Latter Day Saint movement. He published the Book of Mormon in 1830 and organized the church. The movement has grown to millions of members worldwide.
When was the Latter Day Saint movement founded?

The Latter Day Saint movement was formally founded in 1830 with the publication of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith. He was 24 years old at the time. The movement grew rapidly despite opposition.
What is the full name of Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith’s full name is Joseph Smith Jr. He was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont. He is commonly referred to as Joseph Smith.
What was the name of Joseph Smith's mother?

Joseph Smith’s mother was Lucy Mack Smith. She raised him and his siblings. She is mentioned in historical records as a supportive figure in his life.
What were the names of Joseph Smith's children?

Joseph Smith’s children were Julia Murdock Smith, Joseph Smith III, Alexander Hale Smith, and David Hyrum Smith. They were born to his wife Emma Hale. His son Joseph Smith III later led the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
What were the names of Joseph Smith's siblings?

Joseph Smith’s siblings included Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Alvin Smith, Don Carlos Smith, William Smith, and Katharine Smith Salisbury. Hyrum Smith was a close associate and was also killed in 1844.
Who was Emma Hale?

Emma Hale was one of Joseph Smith’s wives and the mother of his four children. She was married to Smith during his lifetime. She later became a leader in the early Latter Day Saint movement.
Who was Zina Diantha Huntington?

Zina Diantha Huntington was also a wife of Joseph Smith. She was part of his polygamous marriages. She later became a prominent figure in the Latter Day Saint movement.

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Audited & updated by

Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on May 1, 2026

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