"Boston Cultivator," 1846 -- "Origin of Mormonism."

"The Albany Evening Journal gives the following account of Joe Smith's early operations: Joe Smith, previous to his becoming a Prophet, was a "Loafer." He resided near the village of Palmyra, spent most of his time in bar rooms, and seemed only anxious to live along from hand to "mouth," without work. He was remarkable for nothing in particular, but idolence and scheming on a small scale. In 1824 or 1825, he went a vagabonding off into Western Pensylvania, where, nobody knows how, he got the possession of the manuscript of a half-deranged clergyman, with which he returned to Palmyra, where he pretended that he was directed in a dream to a particular spot in the woods to possess himself of an oracular slate, or as he called it, a "Golden Bible." From this inspired slate, which he used to place in his hat, he first read to the "gaping few" new and strange revelations; and finally he produced the "Book of Mormons," as the creed and faith of the people of whom he was designed by Providence to be the Prophet and Ruler. The Book of Mormon is a copy of the manuscript which Smith obtained nears Pitsburgh. A wealthy farmer, by the name of Harris, was his first believing convert. Harris mortgaged his farm to raise the money required for the temporal support of the Prophet, and the printing of the book of Mormons. The prophet and his convert, (Smith and Harris) came to Rochester and offered us the honor of being their printer. But as we were only in the newspaper line, we contented ourselves with reading a chapter of what seemed such wretched and incoherent stupidity, that we wondered how "Joe" had contrived to make the first fool with it. But he went on making not only fools, but knaves, in America and Europe for more than twenty years, and until his career was abruptly cut short by men who became themselves violators of the laws they were called to vindicate." (Spelling as it appears in original).

Note - this informational note is posted only as a "look back into history," no disrespect or ridicule is intended on my part. As any student of history knows, there are many interesting and sometimes controversial themes.