Who is Joseph Smith from Writings, 1902-1910 and what is their importance?

Joseph Smith has prophetic revelations and translates the gold plates that lead to the Book of Mormon. The inspiration seems to have been primarily sensorial. He begins his translation by the use of 'peep stones' which he finds with the gold plates; this is theorized to be a form of crystal gazing. He uses the stones for other revelations in addition to asking the Lord for direct revelation.