Criticism of Mormonism/Books/The Changing World of Mormonism/Chapter 4

Chapter 3

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Jerald and Sandra Tanner

Chapter 5

Claims made in Chapter 4: Joseph Smith and Money-Digging

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
67-70	Joseph Smith was convicted of "glass looking" in 1826.	Joseph Smith's 1826 glasslooking trial	Fraser's Magazine, February, 1873, pp.229-30
72	Regarding Joseph's "glass looking trial," Hugh Nibley is claimed to have said that "...if this court record is authentic it is the most damning evidence in existence against Joseph Smith," and that ""the most devastating blow to Smith ever delivered."	Joseph Smith's 1826 glasslooking trial  [needs work]	Nibley, The Myth Makers, p. 142
75	Joseph Smith was "deeply involved in money-digging" during the years that he was preparing to received the gold plates.	Joseph Smith and money digging The Hurlbut affidavits	No source provided.
77	Martin Harris reported stories of treasures "sinking into the earth," and other "strange sights."	Joseph Smith and money digging	An interview with Martin Harris, published in Tiffany's Monthly, 1859, p.165
78-79	Joseph found a seer stone while helping to dig a well.	The Hurlbut affidavits—Willard Chase	Comprehensive History of the Church 1:129;
79	Joseph said that the angel told him to "quit the company of the money-diggers."	The source here is not Joseph; it is second hand. Joseph Smith and money digging	Tiffany's Monthly, 1859, pp. 163-164, 167, 169
80	The author proposed that Joseph fastened two of his seer stones together to make his "Urim and Thummim."	Book of Mormon translation method  History unclear or in error: Joseph removed a stone from the Urim and Thummim to use by itself, since the two joined together were two large for him to look through comfortably.	Author's opinion
80	Joseph's father-in-law Isaac Hale claimed that Jospeh's occupation was "pretending to see by means of a stone placed in his hat."	The Hurlbut affidavits—Isaac Hale	Affidavit of Isaac Hale, as printed in the Susquehanna Register, May 1, 1834
82	Bruce R. McConkie said: "The Prophet also had a seer stone which was separate and distinct from the Urim and Thummim, and which (speaking loosely) has been called by some a Urim and Thummim." The authors claim that Joseph Fielding Smith "admitted" that the "seer stone" was sometimes called the Urim and Thummim.	Joseph Smith and seer stones	Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 818 Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–56), 225.
83	Mormon apologists have difficulty explaining Joseph's use of seer stones.	The author's claim is false No, they don't. Mormon apologists explain Joseph's use of seer stones	Authors' opinion.
83	Mormons aren't sure how to deal with Joseph Smith's "peeping" activities.	Joseph Smith and seer stones	Authors opinion.
84	The plates didn't even have to be present while Joseph was translating.	Book of Mormon translation method	Arch S. Reynolds, How Did Joseph Smith Translate?, p. 21.
84	Joseph Smith originally wanted to obtain the plates in order to get rich, and he was rebuked by the angel.	Joseph's intent was to follow the command of the angel to get the plates. He reported that Moroni "added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me, (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father's family) to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them."[1] However, when he saw them for the first time, Oliver Cowdery says that "a thought would start across the mind on the prospects of obtaining so desirable a treasure--one in all human probability sufficient to raise him above the level of the common earthly fortunes of his fellow men, and relieve his family from want, in which by misfortune and sickness they were placed....his mind would be carried back to its former reflections of poverty, abuse, wealth, grandeur and ease, until before arriving at the place described, this wholly occupied his desire; and when he thought upon the fact of what was previously shown him, it was only with an assurance that he should obtain, and accomplish his desire in relieving himself and friends from want....do not understand me to attach blame to our brother; he was young, and his mind easily turned from correct principles, unless he could be favored with a certain round of experience."[2]	Paul R. Cheesman, "An Analysis of the Accounts Relating Joseph Smith's Early Visions," Master's thesis, Brigham Young University, 1965, pp.130-31
85	The authors say that Brigham Young claimed that a chest of money "moved by itself" into the bank.	Brigham said: I will tell you a story which will be marvelous to most of you. It was told me by Porter, whom I would believe just as quickly as any man that lives. When he tells a thing he understands, he will tell it just as he knows it; he is a man that does not lie. He said that on this night, when they were engaged hunting for this old treasure, they dug around the end of a chest for some twenty inches. The chest was about three feet square. One man who was determined to have the contents of that chest, took his pick and struck into the lid of it, and split through into the chest. The blow took off a piece of the lid, which a certain lady kept in her possession until she died. That chest of money went into the bank. Porter describes it so [making a rumbling sound]; he says this is just as true as the heavens are. I have heard others tell the same story.	Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 19:37.
86	Joseph is claimed to have attempted to "cover up" Oliver Cowdery's alleged work with a divining rod by changing a revelation.	Oliver Cowdery and the "rod of nature"	Book of Commandments 7:3 DC 8꞉6-7
87	Joseph went to Salem, Massachusetts to look for money hidden in a cellar.	Joseph Smith's "treasure hunting" trip to Salem	D&C 111:1-2, 4, 9, 10 Comprehensive History of the Church 1:412
89	Joseph Smith is claimed to have had a "Jupiter Talisman" in his possession at the time of his death.	Joseph Smith and Jupiter talisman	[ATTENTION!]

Endnotes

1. [note]  Joseph Smith, Jr., "History of Joseph Smith (cont.)," Times and Seasons 3 no. 12 (15 April 1842), 754. off-site GospeLink
2. [note] Oliver Cowdery to W.W. Phelps, "Letter VIII, Dear Brother," Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate 2 no. 1 (October 1835), 197.