Did early Mormons once dabble in the occult? This episode explores Joseph Smith’s fascination with magical practices, including animal sacrifice and seer stones. Join hosts Lindsay Hansen Park and Bryan Buchanan as they discuss early Mormonism and the Magic World View with acclaimed Mormon historians D. Michael Quinn and Christopher C. Smith.

Listen to this episode here.

Additional resources and information about topics discussed in this episode:

documentary on Mark Hofmann https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=dbnw57x4vjA&list= PL2J4pOVStq7iJEK2OFEeG0MuU3Gqi Z6j2&index=21&t=17s

Salamander Letter (Mark Hofmann) https://karriehiggins.files. wordpress.com/2018/08/ salamanderletterfrontandback. jpg

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View (D. Michael Quinn)—purchase from Benchmark Books www.benchmarkbooks.com