The Joseph Smith Papers

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  1. Overview

  The papers include the earliest of the foundational documents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The papers also provide insights from Joseph through his correspondence, journals, discourses, and business dealings.

• 2. Joseph's Roots

  Historians set the stage for Joseph Smith Jr.'s early years in New Hampshire and Vermont.

• 3. Joseph's America

  Review the remarkable parallels between a young nation and its newest religion as they each struggled to develop their identity and destiny.

• 4. Palmyra

  Palmyra is where young Joseph Smith and his family found themselves scraping to buy a farm, building a home, and then losing it all.

• 5. First Vision Beginnings

  Hear the four versions of the First Vision given by the Prophet.

• 6. Four Accounts

  Study Joseph's four accounts of the First Vision and the context that helps clarify the variations.

• 7. The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

  Review the remarkable relationship between Joseph and the angel Moroni.

• 8. Harmony

  Harmony is a story of miracles that would become the foundation for the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter-days.

• 9. Priesthood

  Review the remarkable events surrounding the restoration of the priesthood and pinpoint the appearance of the three ancient apostles.

• 10. The Papers People--Part 1

  Meet five of the scholars whose work is central to compiling a complete and accurate documentary of Joseph Smith.

• 11. The Papers People--Part 2

  Survey the complete process of gathering, scrutinizing, and organizing documents for publication.

• 12. The Translation of the Book of Mormon

  Explore portions of the original manuscripts of the Book of Mormon and study the remarkable principles and questions that continue to surface.

• 13. Printing the Book of Mormon

  Review the time-consuming process of typesetting a 600-page book with nineteenth-century equipment.

• 14. A Mother's Account

  Examine the origin, motivation, and accuracy of "The History of the Prophet Joseph Smith" by Lucy Mack Smith.

• 15. History of a History

  Dean Jesse discusses Joseph's anxiety over keeping the history of a work that would change human events.

• 16. Joseph's Journals

  Explore the Prophet's personal journals to learn of his shortcomings, interpersonal conflicts, and challenges in leading the Saints into the future.

• 17. Oliver's Story

  Study the life of Oliver Cowdery and witness his participation in the events of the Restoration, his apostasy, and his powerful closing testimony.

• 18. They Met the Prophet

  Enjoy vibrant descriptions from those who met the Prophet. Whether one believed him or not, meeting Joseph Smith always left a deep impression.

• 19. Saving Joseph's Leg

  Learn how Joseph and his family lived within a few miles of the only man alive who could have saved Joseph's life.

• 20. Joseph's New Translation--Part 1

  Learn the history of Joseph's new translation of the Bible. Despite its significance, the manuscript was lost to the Church for over a century.

• 21. Joseph's New Translation--Part 2

  Observe in detail the changes that Joseph made to restore the "plain and precious" meanings of the Bible.

• 22. The Letters of Joseph and Emma

  Church history scholars review the papers that may have meant more to Joseph than any others: the letters between the Prophet and his wife.

• 23. Joseph Smith the Radical

  The Prophet's claim to direct revelation was extremely radical. Nevertheless, the revelation he received restored doctrine and structured the Church.

• 24. April 6, 1830

  Learn about the events surrounding the organization of the Church, including why six men were to become the founding fathers of Mormonism.

• 25. Kirtland Beginnings

  Scholars discuss the years in Kirtland that were filled with miracles, divine revelation, and instruction.

• 26. Visions and Blessings, Tar and Feathers

  Revisit the night when Joseph was tarred and feathered. Then, explore the difficulties and joys the Saints faced in their efforts to build a temple.

• 27. The Kirtland Temple: An Endowment of Power

  Examine the few yet remarkable days in Kirtland that culminated with the appearance of the Savior.

• 28. Zion

  Examine the idea of Zion and the role mobs and Mormons alike played in its failure. It was the greatest city that never came to be.

• 29. Zion's Camp

  Travel through four states with 200 men to learn that the mission of Zion's Camp was more about the lessons of a journey than about the destination.

• 30. Crisis in Kirtland

  Recount the dark days of Kirtland: financial failure, a riot in the temple, betrayal, and mutiny.

• 31. Joseph Smith and the Law--Part 1

  Hundreds of newly discovered legal documents paint a new impression of the litigious environment surrounding the Mormon leader.

• 32. Joseph Smith and the Law--Part 2

  Study the lawsuits Joseph faced throughout his life from his first encounter with the law at age 13 to the case of the Kirtland Safety Society.

• 33. The Mormon War

  Historians recount the pivotal days that would eventually lead to expulsion from Missouri, captivity at Liberty, and a trek out West

• 34. Liberty Jail

  For Joseph Smith, Liberty Jail provided an experience that would be described as the most important leadership training the Prophet would receive.

• 35. Suffering and Salvationa

  With an extermination order in effect, thousands of destitute Saints huddled together in desperate circumstances in Missouri. The exodus begins.

• 36. The Mission of the Twelve to England

  Detail the experience that transformed a group of faithful young men into a quorum who had great influence in the British Isles.

• 37. Land, Joseph and "Justice" in Missouri

  Historians show how "the law" in Missouri held Joseph hostage to "legally" rid itself of Mormons.

• 38. Nauvoo Beginnings

  Historians document the beginnings of Nauvoo, the beautiful city, and the implications from Joseph that it wouldn't last for long.

• 39. "I Can Do Nothing for You"

  Recount the meeting of the Prophet and the president in 1839, and learn Smith's candid assessment of the people and power of the nation's capital.

• 40. Joseph Smith's Sermons

  Discuss how the Saints viewed the difference between Joseph's preaching and the revelations he received from God.

• 41. Jewel on the Mississippi

  Review the remarkable design, organization of labor, and confluence of expertise that created the most notable structure along the Mississippi River.

• 42. A Pearl of Great Price

  Recount the story of how a remarkable find in Egypt ended up half a world away in the hands of the one man who could translate the Abrahamic text.

• 43. Doctrines of Salvation

  Examine a period of time in the early Church as Joseph introduces the doctrines that made the construction of a temple extremely urgent.

• 44. Joseph and the Relief Society

  Scholars examine the first meetings of the Relief Society, including the admonition that the organization become a vital source in the church.

• 45. Living by the Law

  Legal scholars document the legal wrangling that kept the Prophet on the defense during the Nauvoo years.

• 46. Going International

  Explore the early foreign missions of the Church in Canada, the British Isles, Palestine, and the Pacific islands.

• 47. Gathering Clouds

  Join scholars to discuss the fear and frustration of non-Mormons when Latter-day Saints became a political force.

• 48. Joseph Smith for President

  Follow the Prophet's very unique entry into national politics including his opinions on the role of government.

• 49. Martyrdom

  Learn about the events leading to the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

• 50. Lamentation and Leadership

  Scholars discuss the extraordinary events that led to consolidation of the Church's new leadership.

• 51. Who Will Lead? Who Will Follow?

  Discuss the contention that arose over who would succeed Joseph Smith.

• 100. A Television Foreword

  Join scholars for an introduction to the scope and intention of the Papers project.

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