Joseph Smith: The Making of A Prophet - Smith As A Treasure Seeker

Smith As A Treasure Seeker

Vogel states that he believes that the significance of treasure seeking in Smith’s early life deserves greater emphasis than has been given in previous biographies, and presents Smith as “a leader among the treasure seers of Manchester, New York.” Regarding these activities, it is suggested that “Smith was both convinced of his ability and also deceptive” and that “Smith may have believed himself to be inspired and may have at times heard voices or experienced visions but still used some deception to convince others.” In order to support the thesis of Smith’s primary focus in life being treasure hunting, the author makes extensive use of the Hurlbut affidavits originally published in E. D. Howe’s exposé Mormonism Unvailed and other early anti-Mormon publications.

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