Daniel Peterson's Article on Book of Mormon in Deseret News

[_marg]

How much credibility can we give these people when they accept someone so easily as a prophet who later turns out to be a fraud?

: ) not much

I believe Emma was in on it as was Oliver Cowdery..and that they perceived religion as a means for financial benefit.

One of the things Emma and I believe Harris claimed as well was that Smith without looking at what they were writing, would stop dictating when they made a spelling mistake and that it wasn't until they corrected it that he would continue. How could Smith consistently and possibly know when they had spelling errors...without looking at what they were writing, while he had his head in a hat? The obvious intention of emma's comment was to imply that a God was guiding Smith...because it would be impossible for him to know when she was making spelling errors if he wasn't looking. So she was deliberate in her comment which is planted to imply a divine involvement. So I do think she was involved and knowingly assisted Smith in the con. And it's quite successful because there are many (particularly in the LDS world) who are particularly sensitive to accusations of lying. For some reason in the LDS world ..to accuse one of lying is a horrific accusation akin to accusing one of murder it seems.

[_why me]

The likelihood of a startup religion becoming successful increases if there is a sacred book involved.

Sidney had his own following. No need for a book. Also, sidney had a good reputation among his flock. Lets put it this way: sidney did not need Joseph. If sidney would have claimed a vision and the book being revealed to him, many would have believed. But as a fraud, it would have collasped eventually. If sidney wrote this book, he failed miserably.

[_why me]

How much credibility can we give these people when they accept someone so easily as a prophet who later turns out to be a fraud?

: ) not much

I believe Emma was in on it as was Oliver Cowdery..and that they perceived religion as a means for financial benefit.

And of course she continued to teach her children from the Book of Mormon after her husband was murdered. What a strange woman---a real sociopath for sure. And oliver on his deathbed reaffirming his testimony in the book to his wife and child---a real sociopath for sure.

No financial benefit was had. Just misery for emma.

[_marg]

It did happen. Plus the threats against Joseph Smith began with the people in the local areas. But no store owner came forward with receipts from Joseph purchasing paper, ink, feathered pens.

Well whyme they had to have bought paper and ink to write the Book of Mormon..so a store not coming forward with receipts says nothing.

One would think in Smith's younger days,years before the Book of Mormon, that he would have exhibited some interest in writing..but that doesn't appear to have been the case.

[_marg]

And of course she continued to teach her children from the Book of Mormon after her husband was murdered.

It all depends on what she taught them. She may have been quite interested in them continuing on with the family business.

What a strange woman---a real sociopath for sure.

People create lies in their lives and it's easier to act as if they believe them than not.

And oliver on his deathbed reaffirming his testimony in the book to his wife and child---a real sociopath for sure.

I'm skeptical of what is claimed that people said on their death beds. Be that as it may, it served no purpose for any involved to EVER claim the whole thing was a fraud. That would have a negative impact on their families.

No financial benefit was had. Just misery for emma.

What was perceived may not have materialized..though for a time she probably lived well considering smith had no assets when they married nor skills ..other than salemanship. An although Smith failed doesn't mean others involved didn't appreciate that the religion of Mormonism could be successful financially. The hard work had already been done.

[_Drifting]

I've yet to see an apologist provide a reasonable answer to the question "where did all the pooh go?" with regards to a year long journey in a tightly sealed tree sized boat that was built to flip over and contained herds and flocks and people.

[_brade]

It's worth pointing out that a number of people closest to Joseph Smith later joined the Strangite movement for a while. It must not have been that difficult to dupe people.

[_BartBurk]

It's worth pointing out that a number of people closest to Joseph Smith later joined the Strangite movement for a while. It must not have been that difficult to dupe people.

I would say this is devastating for the credibility of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. The only one who was living who didn't go after Strang was Oliver Cowdrey. That tells me that Cowdrey was smarter than the rest of them anyway.

[_sock puppet]

And of course she continued to teach her children from the Book of Mormon after her husband was murdered.

It all depends on what she taught them. She may have been quite interested in them continuing on with the family business.

Indeed she was. She did not follow Brigham Young to Utah, but joined up with the RLDS where her son the III could be prophet.

[_Themis]

It's worth pointing out that a number of people closest to Joseph Smith later joined the Strangite movement for a while. It must not have been that difficult to dupe people.

Not at all. Even smart people get duped. It's interesting to read up on glass looking and find out that duping the person is what it is all about, and Joseph was good at it. Good training for the Book of Mormon.