... the BoM, Joseph Smith, and others.
Here is a famous painting from the artist John Quidor..."The Money Diggers."
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www.meisterdrucke.uk
Throughout his life, or more specifically for his early twenty's up until the church was established Joseph was known as "Joe the Money Digger." Money digging was not just about the digging for money or treasures, but about folk magic and chants, spells and both good and evil guardian spirits that watched over the sought after treasures.
There were different types of "tools" used for Money digging, such as divining rods, seer stones, talismans, occult signs, witch hazel stakes, and other items. Looking closely at the painting, in the center just above the hole, you can see a divining rod.
Money diggers were called different names such as... Seer's, Glass lookers, water witching, dowsers...some of these went so far as to offer animal sacrifices to appease the guardians that watches over the treasures.
From my reading, there seems to be three primary types of "money diggers," in regard to motive. The first would be a true believer, on that honestly believed in the craft. many writers, including Ben Franklin stated that there were many good citizens involved in money digging. The second, would be the confidence money digger, a con man, who took advantage of folks by selling his services for gain. Then there seems to be a third, again from my recent reading, and that is one that combines the first two together and is basically a person that believes in the craft, yet also clear cons folks for their services at the same time.
So far, in regard to Joseph Smith I go back and forth in my belief as to whether he actually believed in the craft or whether he was just a straight confidence man. I lean strongly at this point that he did indeed believe in all that went with it, at in the beginning of learning his trade, and how it blended into the Book of Mormon story.
Here is a famous painting from the artist John Quidor..."The Money Diggers."
The Money Diggers by John Quidor: Buy fine art print
Buy The Money Diggers by John Quidor as fine art print. ✓ High-quality museum grade. ✓ Perfect reproduction
www.meisterdrucke.uk
Throughout his life, or more specifically for his early twenty's up until the church was established Joseph was known as "Joe the Money Digger." Money digging was not just about the digging for money or treasures, but about folk magic and chants, spells and both good and evil guardian spirits that watched over the sought after treasures.
There were different types of "tools" used for Money digging, such as divining rods, seer stones, talismans, occult signs, witch hazel stakes, and other items. Looking closely at the painting, in the center just above the hole, you can see a divining rod.
Money diggers were called different names such as... Seer's, Glass lookers, water witching, dowsers...some of these went so far as to offer animal sacrifices to appease the guardians that watches over the treasures.
From my reading, there seems to be three primary types of "money diggers," in regard to motive. The first would be a true believer, on that honestly believed in the craft. many writers, including Ben Franklin stated that there were many good citizens involved in money digging. The second, would be the confidence money digger, a con man, who took advantage of folks by selling his services for gain. Then there seems to be a third, again from my recent reading, and that is one that combines the first two together and is basically a person that believes in the craft, yet also clear cons folks for their services at the same time.
So far, in regard to Joseph Smith I go back and forth in my belief as to whether he actually believed in the craft or whether he was just a straight confidence man. I lean strongly at this point that he did indeed believe in all that went with it, at in the beginning of learning his trade, and how it blended into the Book of Mormon story.
