Description

Well-documented research into early Mormonism and Joseph Smith's involvement in magic including the use of a divining rod, a seer stone, treasure seeking, incantations and rituals to summon spirits.

Table of Contents

Chapter

1. Early America's Heritage of Religion and Magic

   The Bible and Magic

   European Religion and Magic: Medieval to Renaissance

   Magic in the Age of Reason: England and America

   the Academic Occult

   Visions, Spiritual Gifts, and the Category of Magic

   Occult Mentors in Early America

   Books and the Transmission of Magic and the Occult

   Astrology in Early America

   Occult Healing and Magic Treasure-Digging in Early America

   Weakness of Organized Religion and Strength of Folk Magic

2. Diving Rods, Treasure-Digging, and Seer Stones
3. Ritual Magic, Astrology, Amulets, and Talismans
4. Magic Parchments and Occult Mentors

   Occult Handbooks, Magic Parchments, and Folk Magic

   The Smith Family's Magic Parchments (Lamens)

   Occult Advisers and Mentors

   Kinship, Folk Magic, Occult Mentors, and Early Mormons

   Linkage of Mentors, Magic Parchments, and Early Mormonism

5. Visions and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
6. Mormon Scriptures, the Magic World View, and Rural New York's Intellectual Life
7. The Persistence and Decline of Magic After 1830

   Early Mormon Folk Believers: "a people already prepared"

   Seer Stones—Joseph Smith's

   Seer Stones—Other People's

   Divining Rods

   Treasure-Digging

   Amulets

   Astrology

   Ritual Magic and the Belief in Witchcraft

   Palmistry, Cards, and Tea-Leaf Divination

   New Manifestations of the Occult

   Cabalistic Occultism

   Alchemy

   Phrenology

   Pyramidology and Numerology

   Healing Objects

   Conclusion