Joseph Smith/Occultism and magic

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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.

The origin of Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences

Summary: Were Joseph Smith's spiritual experiences originally products of magic and the occult?

Lucy Mack Smith on "faculty of Abrac" and "magic circles"

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?

Joseph Smith, Sr., and "divination"

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?

Early members believed in "witchcraft"

Summary: Did early members of the Church believe in witchcraft? Was Joseph Smith involved in "the occult?"

Book of Mormon recovered on autumnal equinox

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?

Kabbalah influence

Summary: Were Joseph Smith's religious ideas derived in part from Kabbalah, a type of (usually Jewish) mysticism?

Jupiter talisman

Summary: Did Joseph Smith have a Jupiter Talisman on his person when he was martyred? Is this proof of his fascination with the occult?

Magician Walters as a mentor?

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?

Magick parchments

Summary: Did the Smith family own "magic parchments," and does this suggest their involvement in the "occult?"

Mars dagger

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?