Honestly, if you look at a map of the early 1800s, it feels like Joseph Smith was constantly on the move. He wasn't just a guy who stayed in one little cabin in New York. To really understand where did Joseph Smith live, you have to look at a life defined by "the move." He was born into a family that was perpetually struggling to keep their heads above water, which meant a lot of packing and unpacking across New England and the Midwest.
The New England Years (1805–1816)
It all started on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont. He was born on his grandfather Solomon Mack’s farm. But don't picture a long, stable childhood there. By the time Joseph was only seven, his family had already bounced around seven different locations. We’re talking Tunbridge, Royalton, and South Royalton.
Then came the move to West Lebanon, New Hampshire. This wasn't a happy stay. This is where a typhoid epidemic hit the family hard. Joseph ended up with a bone infection in his leg that required a brutal, experimental surgery. He spent a long time recovering on crutches in Norwich, Vermont, while the family faced three years of total crop failure. Basically, the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816—caused by a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia—literally froze their crops in the ground. That was the final straw. They had to leave Vermont for good.
The New York Era: Palmyra and Manchester
When people ask where did Joseph Smith live, they usually think of the "Sacred Grove." That happened after the family moved to Palmyra, New York, in 1816. Joseph Sr. went ahead to find work, and Lucy Mack Smith followed with the kids.
Eventually, they moved just south to Manchester Township. They built a log home first, and then a larger frame house. This is the period of the "First Vision" and the visits from the angel Moroni. If you visit today, you can see the reconstructed log home and the Smith family farm. It’s where a lot of the heavy lifting of the early Restoration happened.
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The Marriage and the Move to Pennsylvania
In 1827, Joseph married Emma Hale. They didn't stay in Manchester long because the local "excitement" (and some pretty intense opposition) made things difficult. They headed south to Harmony, Pennsylvania (now Oakland), to live near Emma’s parents.
They lived in a small home on a 13-acre farm. This is a huge spot for history buffs because it’s where a massive chunk of the Book of Mormon was translated. They stayed there until 1830, but things got heated again, and they were essentially invited to leave.
The Ohio and Missouri "Gathering"
By 1831, the focus shifted to Kirtland, Ohio.
Joseph and Emma lived in several spots in Kirtland. First, they stayed with the Newel K. Whitney family above their store. Later, they moved to the Isaac Morley farm. Honestly, they were mostly guests in other people's homes for years. It wasn't until late 1833 that they finally moved into a home of their own in Kirtland—a small, white frame house that’s been restored recently.
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Meanwhile, Joseph was also traveling back and forth to Missouri. He spent time in Independence and Far West. The dream was to build "Zion" there, but Missouri in the 1830s was a powder keg. Joseph actually spent months in the Liberty Jail, a cramped, cold stone dungeon, while his family and followers were being driven out of the state in the middle of winter.
The Final Chapter: Nauvoo, Illinois
After escaping Missouri in 1839, the Smiths landed in a swampy bend of the Mississippi River called Commerce, which Joseph renamed Nauvoo.
At first, they lived in a tiny log cabin known as the Homestead. As the city grew into one of the largest in Illinois, they built the Mansion House in 1843. It served as their home and a hotel for visitors. It even had a "secret" hiding spot under the floorboards where Joseph could duck away from the sheriffs trying to arrest him.
He lived in the Mansion House until June 1844, when he left for Carthage, Illinois, to face charges. He never came home.
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Why the Locations Matter
Knowing where did Joseph Smith live isn't just about addresses. It’s about the context of his life.
- Vermont/New Hampshire: Survival and physical pain.
- New York: Spiritual beginnings and family labor.
- Pennsylvania: Translation and the start of a family.
- Ohio: Organization and temple building.
- Missouri: Conflict and legal battles.
- Illinois: Power, city-building, and ultimately, his death.
If you’re planning a trip to see these spots, most are maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Community of Christ.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see these places for yourself, start with the Joseph Smith Papers website. They have amazing maps and original deeds that show exactly where the property lines were. You might also want to look into the Nauvoo Historic District—it's probably the most "intact" way to see how Joseph lived toward the end of his life.