Topical Guide/Magic and occult

The FAIR Wiki Defending Mormonism by providing well-researched answers to challenging questions within a faithful context

Subtopics

• Divining rods (Link)
• Jupiter Talisman (Link)
• Mormonism as a "Cult" (Link)
• Seer stones (Link)
• Stars on the Temple (Link)

FAIR Wiki articles

• Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"—
  Critics claim that Lucy Mack Smith's discussion of the "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles" is evidence for the strong role which "magick" played in the Smith family's early life. (Link)
• Joseph Smith, Sr., and "divination"—
  Critics claim that Joseph Smith, Sr., practiced "divination," and that this is evidence for the strong role which "magick" played in the Smith family's early life. (Link)
• Early members believed in "witchcraft"—
  Critics claim that early members of the Church believed in witchcraft. They use this to imply or argue that this supports their view of Joseph Smith as involved in "the occult." (Link)
• Book of Mormon recovered on autumnal equinox—
  Critics claim that Joseph Smith's preoccupation with "magick" is supported by the fact that meetings with Moroni and the recovery of the Book of Mormon occurred on the autumnal equinox, a date with astrological and magical significance. (Link)
• Kabbalah influence—
  Critics claim that Joseph Smith's religious ideas derived in part from Kabbalah, a type of (usually Jewish) mysticism. (Link)
• Jupiter talisman—
  Critics claim that Joseph Smith had a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred and cite this as proof of his fascination with the occult. (Link)
• Magician Walters as a mentor?—
  Critics claim that a "vagabond fortune-teller" named Walters became popular in the Palmyra area, and that when Walters left the area, "his mantle fell upon" Joseph Smith. (Link)
• Magick parchments—
  Critics claim that the Smith family owned "magic parchments," suggesting their involvement in the "occult." (Link)
• Mars dagger—
  Critics claim that the Smith's owned a magic dagger that was among Hyrum Smith's heirlooms. They cite this as proof of the Smith family's deep involvement in ritual magick. (Link)

FAIR Articles

• FAIR Topical Guide: Magic & Occult FAIR link