In Part 2 of our quest for what Mormons believe, we focus in on the Man Joseph Smith. Who was he? Was he a prophet? The shocking truth will surprise you.

Key Scholarly Sources Confirming Treasure Digging and Family Beliefs
Dan Vogel
o Book: Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet (2004)
o Contribution: A biography that documents Joseph Smith's early life, treasure digging, use of a seer stone, and family involvement—especially Joseph Sr.'s belief in folk magic and seership. https://a.co/d/bqFwpeI
D. Michael Quinn
o Book: Quinn, D. Michael. Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. Revised ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1998. https://a.co/d/41kNVqw
o Contribution: Shows how Joseph Smith was immersed in folk magic, treasure digging, and esoteric practices common in the Burned-Over District.
o Notes: Quinn links these practices to Joseph’s family (especially his father) and shows the Smiths believed in divining rods, second sight, and treasure-guarding spirits.
Willard Chase Affidavit (1833)
o Primary Source included in E.D. Howe’s Mormonism Unvailed
o Contribution: Describes Joseph Smith finding a seer stone in Chase’s well in 1822 and using it for treasure digging. Chase confirms that the Smith family was involved in these activities. https://user.xmission.com/~research/about/docum2a.pdf
1831 Testimony of Peter Ingersoll
o Contained in: E.D. Howe’s Mormonism Unvailed
o Contribution: As a neighbor of the Smiths, Ingersoll claimed Joseph Sr. used a divining rod and said that Joseph Jr. had a “peep stone” that could find treasure.
1826 Chenango County Court Record (“Glasslooking” Trial)
o Transcript Rediscovered by Wesley P. Walters (1971); confirmed by Michael Marquardt
o Contribution: Confirms Joseph Smith was tried for being a “disorderly person” engaged in scrying/treasure seeking.
Joseph Smith’s Trial: https://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/pdf/josephsmiths1826trial_digital.pdf
o Key Testimonies: Josiah Stowell and others testify that Joseph used a stone in a hat to find treasure.
Lucy Mack Smith
o Book: Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet (1853)
https://archive.dev-bookofmormoncentral.org/content/biographical-sketches-joseph-smith-prophet-and-his-progenitors-many-generations
o Contribution: Joseph’s mother writes positively about the family’s use of dreams and visions, and she indirectly references folk practices.
Pomeroy Tucker
o Book: Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormon

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