About This Page

Curiosity has taken me deep into Mormon history and theology. As an Anglican, I've spent years reading LDS sources, collecting books and historical reproductions, speaking with missionaries and members, and asking questions.

This website is where I keep the results of that journey. Think of it as my digital notebook: part library, part field journal, and part research archive. My aim is to understand before I critique, to represent beliefs fairly, and to record what I discover along the way.

A Note on the Use of "Mormon"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has encouraged the use of its full name and has requested that the terms "Mormon" and "LDS" not be used as substitutes for the Church or its members. This website recognizes and respects that preference.

However, throughout this archive I will occasionally use the term "Mormon" as a historical and descriptive term. It is shorter, widely recognized, and remains commonly used in academic, historical, and public discussions of the movement founded by Joseph Smith. In many cases, using "Mormon" makes topics easier to identify and navigate, especially when discussing historical periods, movements, publications, or groups connected to the broader Restoration tradition.

This usage is not intended as a rejection of the Church's preferred terminology, but rather as a practical choice for clarity and accessibility in a research archive.

It is also worth noting that the relationship between the Church and the term "Mormon" has changed over time. For many years, the Church itself used the term prominently in public outreach, including the "I'm a Mormon" campaign, which featured members sharing personal stories and identifying themselves with that phrase. The campaign remains an interesting example of how language and institutional identity have developed over time.

Timeline of Joseph Smith and the Early Restoration

This timeline is intended as a chronological overview of major events in the founding of the Latter-day Saint movement. Throughout the timeline, Research Notes identify topics that deserve closer examination. These will link to dedicated pages containing primary sources, historical documents, and analysis.

• 1805 – Birth of Joseph Smith Jr.

  Born December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont.

• 1816–1819 – Smith Family Moves to Western New York

  The Smith family settles near Palmyra and Manchester, New York, during a period later known as the Second Great Awakening.

• c. 1819–1826 – Folk Magic and Treasure Seeking

  Joseph Smith participates in treasure digging expeditions, reportedly using seer stones to locate buried treasure. Contemporary affidavits and later recollections describe him as a village seer.

  Research Note: Joseph Smith's seer stones, Treasure digging culture, Folk magic and treasure digging, 1826 court appearance

• 1820 (Traditional LDS Date) – The First Vision

  According to the official account, Joseph prays in a grove and is visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ.

  Research Note: Multiple First Vision accounts, Apologetic for multiple accounts

• 1823 – Visit of the Angel Moroni

  Joseph reports that Moroni appears and tells him about a buried record engraved on gold plates.

• 1827 – Gold Plates Obtained

  Joseph says he receives custody of the gold plates and begins preparations for translation.

  Research Note: Eight Witnesses statement, Three Witnesses statement, Physical vs. visionary experiences,

• 1827–1829 – Translation of the Book of Mormon

  The Book of Mormon is translated primarily while Joseph dictates to various scribes, especially Oliver Cowdery.

  Research Note: Translation using a seer stone in a hat, Loss of the 116 pages, Witnesses of the translation process

Case Files