Smith Reports First Vision
Joseph Smith later described a youthful religious vision that became a foundational account in Latter Day Saint tradition.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Joseph Smith Biography and Timeline
Follow Joseph Smith through 21 dated historical records for United States of America.
Joseph Smith, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
21Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1820–1844Years on this page
1820
1823
Smith Reports Angel Moroni Visit
Joseph Smith said that an angel directed him to an ancient record later published as the Book of Mormon.
1827
Smith Obtains Golden Plates
Joseph Smith reported receiving the plates from which he prepared the Book of Mormon translation.
1829
Smith Completes Book Of Mormon Translation
Joseph Smith completed the principal translation of the Book of Mormon with assistance from scribes and supporters.
1830
Book of Mormon Published
The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York.
Church of Christ Organized
Organizes the Church of Christ, later known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
First Church Conference
Presides over the first conference of the newly organized church.
1831
Church Headquarters Moves To Ohio
Joseph Smith and many followers relocated to northeastern Ohio as the movement expanded beyond New York.
Smith Identifies Missouri Gathering Place
Joseph Smith designated the Independence area as a gathering place with religious significance for church members.
1832
Smith Reports Vision Of Degrees Of Glory
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon reported a vision describing different degrees of heavenly glory.
1833
Word Of Wisdom Introduced
Joseph Smith introduced the Word of Wisdom as religious guidance concerning health and consumption.
1834
Zions Camp Travels Toward Missouri
Joseph Smith organised a march intended to assist displaced church members, although the expedition did not regain their lands.
1835
Quorum Of Twelve Formed
Joseph Smith organised the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as a leading body within the expanding church.
1836
Kirtland Temple Dedicated
Joseph Smith presided over the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the movement's first completed temple.
1838
Saints Establish Far West Centre
Joseph Smith moved the church's principal gathering activities to Far West amid conflict and internal dissent.
Missouri Conflict Leads To Arrest
Joseph Smith was arrested during the violent conflict between Latter Day Saints and their Missouri neighbours.
1839
Saints Settle At Commerce Illinois
After expulsion from Missouri, Joseph Smith and followers gathered at Commerce, which became Nauvoo.
1841
Nauvoo Temple Cornerstones Laid
Church leaders laid cornerstones for a new temple at Nauvoo, Illinois, during the settlement's rapid expansion.
1842
Relief Society Organised At Nauvoo
Joseph Smith organised the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo with Emma Smith as its first president.
1843
Nauvoo Revelation Addresses Eternal Marriage
Joseph Smith dictated a revelation concerning eternal marriage and plural marriage that later shaped church doctrine.
1844
Joseph Smith Killed At Carthage
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by an armed mob while imprisoned at Carthage Jail.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.