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Joseph Smith, occultism and magic
Joseph Smith and the "occult" or "magick"
Summary: Citing Joseph Smith's experiences with folk magic, treasure seeking and seer stones, it is claimed that Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences were originally products of magic and the occult. Some charge that only much later did Joseph retrofit his experiences in Christian, religious terms: speaking of God, angels, and prophethood rather than in terms of magic, treasure guardians and scrying. It is also claimed 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.
Summary: Were Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences originally products of magic and the occult?
Summary: Is Lucy Mack Smith's discussion of the "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles" evidence for the strong role which "magick" played in the Smith family's early life?
Summary: Did Joseph Smith, Sr., practice "divination," and is this evidence for the strong role which "magick" played in the Smith family's early life?
Summary: Did early members of the Church believe in witchcraft? Was Joseph Smith involved in "the occult?"
Summary: Was Joseph Smith's alleged preoccupation with "magick" 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?
Summary: Were Joseph Smith's religious ideas derived in part from Kabbalah, a type of (usually Jewish) mysticism?
Summary: Did Joseph Smith have a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred? Is this proof of his fascination with the occult?
Summary: A "vagabond fortune-teller" named Walters became popular in the Palmyra area. When Walters left the area, did "his mantle" fall upon Joseph Smith?
Summary: Did the Smith family own "magic parchments," and does this suggest their involvement in the "occult?"
Summary: The Smith's owned a magic dagger that was among Hyrum Smith's heirlooms. Is this proof of the Smith family's deep involvement in ritual magick?