Secondary Questions / Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith's involvement with treasure-seeking and folk magic.
What the question is
Joseph and his family participated in folk practices common in early-19th-century rural America, including the use of seer stones to look for buried treasure. He later set these activities aside as his prophetic mission unfolded.
Where to read what the Church has published
How to weigh it
Cultural practices of the time do not invalidate later prophetic experience. The question is what God did with him, not what his neighbors did.
A reminder before you scroll on
This is one secondary question. It is real. It is not, by itself, load-bearing. The primary questions are. If you have not yet worked through them — or if it’s been a while — start there.
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