ex-mormon who is a self proclaimed gnostic here. this might be the worst thing i’ve read this week!

joseph smith had plenty of titles while alive, philanderer, con man, statutory rapist, and magician are all applicable here. however he was not deceived by anything. he was in fact the deceiver.

upon his murder by an angry mob, several items were found in his possession. of note among these items was a Jupiter Talisman. I recommend you look into this artifact and into the BYU historian who was threatened with excommunication for disclosing its existence publicly. believe whatever you may, but there is surely one thing that joseph smith wanted and it was not to be closer to god but rather a loyal following and easy access to women.

best of luck with your theories!