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Episode 4 of Beginnings explores Joseph Smith's early life as a "money digger" or treasure seeker before his religious claims and founding of Mormonism. 

Sources

• ESSAY: LDS.ORG: Treasure Seeking
• ESSAY: LDS.ORG: Joseph Smith's 1826 Trial
• ESSAY: Mormon Stories: _Joseph Smith, Magic and Treasure Digging
• VIDEO: Mormon Stories: Joseph Smith and Treasure Digging | Ep. 1575 | LDS Discussions Ep. 01
• VIDEO: Mormon Stories_John Hammer: Folk Magic and Mormon Origins_Part 1 & 2
• ESSAY: FAIR LDS: Joseph Smith Folk Magic and the Occult
• VIDEO: Mormon Stories_Dan Vogel: Joseph Smith and Treasure Digging_Part 1 & 2
• ESSAY: FAIR LDS: Joseph Smith Money Digging

AI Prompt
Discuss what problems, if any, Joseph Smith's money digging and magical view pose to his later claims to be a prophet. Discuss the actions, beliefs, and potential motives of Joseph Smith himself, his family, and the beople around him. Discuss the influence this magical view had on the restoration of the gospel, the Book of Mormon, and Mormon faith. Both defend and question the validity of Joseph Smith's prophetic claims. Review all sources equally. Audience: faithful and doubting Mormons.

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1. Truth | 2. Beginnings | 3. First Vision | 4. Priesthood | 5. The Gold Plates | 6. The BoM | 7. The BoA | 8. Polygamy | 9. Changes | 10. Challenges | ...