In the Historical Magazine of May, 1870, Joseph Smith , Sr., gave an interview where he clearly states that the prophet (Joseph Smith, Jr.) had been a "Peek Stone" enthusiast and treasure-digger in his youth, and, further, that he had also told fortunes and located lost objects by means of a "Peek Stone" and alleged supernatural powers:
"But when they say unto you---Seek ye unto the necromancers and unto the wizards, who chirp, and who mutter should not a people seek |unto its God|? In behalf of the living |should it seek| unto the dead?" {Isaiah 8:19, Rotherham's Emphasized Bible} or
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have |FAMILIAR SPIRITS| and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" {Bible of King James} Exodus 2:18, "A sorceress shalt thou not suffer to live," Rotherham's Emphasized Bible. foot note Deuteronomy 18:9-14, "When thou art coming into the land which Yahweh thy God is giving unto thee, thou shalt not learn to do according to the abominable doings of those nations. There shall not be found in thy midst -- One who causeth his son or his daughter to pass through fire, or who useth divination, hidden arts or enchantments, or who muttereth incantations; or who bindeth with spells, -- or who asketh or a familiar spirit or an oracle, or who seeketh unto the dead.") or:
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." (The Bible of King James -- a foot note "suffer," permit, allow). "Long before the idea of a Golden Bible entered their minds, in their excursions for money digging...Joe used to be usually their guide, putting into a hat a peculiar stone he had through which he looked to decide where they should begin to dig." (Gleanings by the Way, page 225, 1842). This is a direct violation of the scriptures as stated above.
The court trial dated March 20, 1826 -- New York v. Joseph Smith--revealed that Joseph Smith "had a certain stone which he had occasionally looked at to determine where hidden treasures in bowels of the earth were...and had looked for Mr. Stoal several times" (Frazer's Magazine {New Series}, Volume 7, February, 1873, page 229). Therefore the court found the defendant guilty of money digging. In essence, Joseph Smith Jr., was a criminal.
In 1827, it is interesting that Smith claimed to receive the golden plates upon which the "Book of Mormon is alleged to have been written. This find was supposedly unearthed in the hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York; Smith began to "translate" the "reformed Egyptian" hieroglyphics inscribed thereupon by means of the "Urim and Thummim," (Urim - The oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate, -- Thummim - perfection, one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth, Exodus 28:30), a type of miraculous spectacles which the angel Moroni (Galatians 1:8-9; "But even if we or a messenger {angel - literally means messenger.} out of heaven announce a glad-message unto you aside from that which we announced unto you Accursed {anathema} let him be! As we have said before even now again I say: If anyone is announcing unto you a glad message aside from that which ye accepted Accursed {anathema} let him be," Rotherham's Emphasized Bible.); who visited Smith earlier, had the foresight to provide him.
What is interesting here is that there is no such thing as Reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics according to the leading Egyptologist and philologist, even though the Mormon's still contend that there is such a language. A statement by sixty-two residents of Palmyra, New York, is interesting; and cannot be ignored by any serious student of Mormonism. This statement was obtained by Mr. Howe; a researcher and a contemporary of Joseph Smith Jr., This statement has never been disputed:
"We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in diggings for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits" (Mormonism Unveiled, Zanesville, Ohio 1834 page 261).
According to Mormon theology, "The Book of Mormon," claims to be the highest authority in Mormonism; and also claims to be an interpretation of the Old Testament (covenant) prophecy, as well as, a part of the New Testament (covenant) to Israel. However, is this true? Could it be that the Bible originally had other books within its binding besides the 66 books that are already there. The answer is Yes; but the question remains, is the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and other Mormon books a part of that literature? The answer is No.
Many theologians believe that there may have actually been close to 100, or 100 original books in the Bible, and many of them were taken out because they were not considered canonized (canon - a measuring reed, a way to measure truth by comparing each book with the others). It is interesting that Joshua 10:13 states; "So the sun was still and the moon stayed until a nation should be avenged on its foes. Is not that written in the Book of the Upright?" (Rotherham's Emphasized Bible), or "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?" (Bible of King James).
Also consider; 2 Samuel 1:17-18, "Then chanted David this dirge, -- over Saul and over Jonathan his son; and he thought to teach the sons of Judah {the song of} the Bow, -- lo! it is written in the book of the Upright:--or as the Bible of King James states; "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher." (Hebrew Chaldee Dictionary #3477 yasher from 3474; straight (literal or fugitively) convenient, equity, Jasher, just meet, pleased well, right straight, {most} upright). In other words, the "Book of Jasher," literally means the "Book of the Upright." It was a book that was originally in the Bible; but taken out at a later date.
Also consider the "Book of Enoch," I quote from page 4 "The citations of Enoch by the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs and by the "Book of Jubilee," show that at the close of the second century B.C., and during the first century B.C., this book was regarded in certain circles as inspired. When we come down to the first century A.D., we find that it is recognized as Scripture by Jude (Jude 14, "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints." Bible of King James). In the next century this recognition is given amply in the Epistle of Barnabas (16:5) and in the third century by Clement and Irenaeus. After the third century the "Book of Enoch" fell into discredit and gradually passed out of circulation." Other books that should be mentioned the Apocrypha, Book of Jubilee, The Lost chapter of Acts, The Book of the Garden of Eden, and so forth. No where have any of the books that the Mormon's possess (The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and so forth) listed within the context, or even mentioned; in the Old Testament or New Testament.
