The recent publication by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of photographs of the seer stone used by Joseph Smith has brought the folk-magic roots of the founding of the Mormon Church into public view in an unprecedented way. In this episode of Talk on Things and Stuff, independent Mormon Historians Dan Vogel and Christopher C Smith discuss how the use of the seer stone and other folk magic practices fit into the early experiences of Joseph Smith and the founding of the Mormon church.

In keeping with the Thoughts on Things and Stuff commitment to documentation, over the next few days, each claim discussed will be cited on this page with links to original source material. Check back soon.

Part 1

Audio only:

In part 1, Vogel and Smith take us chronologically through the history of Joseph Smith’s acquisition and early use of the seer stone. Other glass lookers, the discovery and Joseph’s acquisition of the stone, its use in treasure hunting and Joseph’s 1826 court hearing as a pretended glass looker are covered. The golden plates and their guardian spirit Moroni are introduced and events up until the retrieval of the plates are reviewed.

Part 2

Audio only:

In part 2, the use of the stone in translating the plates is discussed, as well as the arrival of a new feature of the stone when it starts to act as a direct communication conduit with God. Joseph begins to use the stone not only for translating but also for receiving direct revelations from deity, many of which are now recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. These incoming communications from the Lord eventually culminate in a failed revelation which sends members to Canada where they are unsuccessful in their attempt to sell the copyright of the Book of Mormon. This failure marks a subsequent decline in Joseph’s reliance on the stone and he soon dispenses with it as his own prophetic voice carries him through the remainder of his career as the founder of the Mormon faith.

Part 3

Audio only:

In part 3 Vogel and Smith describe several more important events around Joseph Smith and the seer stone. Topics include Joseph seeing a treasure chest buried with a tailfeather (which is actually found, sort of) as well as the 1830 trial. Joseph’s dealings with tangible plates is briefly described. The changing narrative of the visit with Charles Anton as well as the changing written histories is reviewed. Joseph responds with a revelation through his stone when a competing stone is used by Hiram Page to receive revelation. Joseph uses the stone to remotely view other people and we follow the life of the stone after Joseph surrenders it to Oliver Cowdery.