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I think there are enough similarities that it could be suggested that Joseph Smith was at least aware of this account.

Thanks

Hasa Diga Eebowai

Interesting stuff, Hasa!

Is there any evidence that Joseph Smith would have had access to John Wesley's writings?

liz3564 wrote:Interesting stuff, Hasa!

Is there any evidence that Joseph Smith would have had access to John Wesley's writings?

I doubt this particular account can be connected to Joseph Smith. Not because he wouldn't have known about John Wesley (see next paragraph), but because stories like this were extremely common and they all share common elements. It was part of treasure digging lore, and Joseph was in that crowd for several years.

However, early Mormonism does show profound influences from Methodism, which was founded by John Wesley. The Book of Mormon is essentially Wesleyan Arminian in theology. Joseph Smith himself admitted that he was attracted to Methodism prior to founding the church. And if I remember correctly he was a Methodist "exhorter" and briefly enrolled in a Methodist Sunday School class. When you strip away the uniquely Mormon elements in the LDS church, such as insistence on Mormon priesthood, temple ordinances, etc., you are left with essentially a 19th century frontier Methodism, with a few twists. (If you care, Methodists have never been against infant baptism).

By the way, this is why I generally recommend Methodism to people who still believe in God and Jesus, but want to transition out of the LDS church. It's the easiest fit.

Aristotle Smith wrote:

liz3564 wrote:Interesting stuff, Hasa!

Is there any evidence that Joseph Smith would have had access to John Wesley's writings?

I doubt this particular account can be connected to Joseph Smith. Not because he wouldn't have known about John Wesley (see next paragraph), but because stories like this were extremely common and they all share common elements. It was part of treasure digging lore, and Joseph was in that crowd for several years.

However, early Mormonism does show profound influences from Methodism, which was founded by John Wesley. The Book of Mormon is essentially Wesleyan Arminian in theology. Joseph Smith himself admitted that he was attracted to Methodism prior to founding the church. And if I remember correctly he was a Methodist "exhorter" and briefly enrolled in a Methodist Sunday School class. When you strip away the uniquely Mormon elements in the LDS church, such as insistence on Mormon priesthood, temple ordinances, etc., you are left with essentially a 19th century frontier Methodism, with a few twists. (If you care, Methodists have never been against infant baptism).

By the way, this is why I generally recommend Methodism to people who still believe in God and Jesus, but want to transition out of the LDS church. It's the easiest fit.

Interestingly, Wesley discussed how he felt his "heart strangely warmed" at his conversion.