Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon is a 1985 book by David Persuitte. A second expanded edition was published in 2000. It provides detailed biographical information about Joseph Smith
Cover of the second edition
Joseph Smith Jr. was an American religious and political leader and the founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. Publishing the Book of Mormon at the age of 24, Smith attracted tens of
Portrait attributed to William Warner Major, c. 1842
Night-time treasure digs were a common practice in New England, as shown in "The Money Diggers" (1832) by artist John Quidor.
Joseph's older brother Alvin died in 1823.
Smith dictated most of the Book of Mormon by looking into a seer stone placed in a stovepipe hat.