Treasures in the Earth Summary and Analysis

Joseph could not determine for himself which, if any, of the local preachers were the one who had the truth. He did not have a reputation for being a "mystic", but was known by the local people as a likable youth, who told tall tales and occasionally dug for buried treasure. Ms. Brodie, in an effort to discredit this young man's story that no one else had told, and which to her seems to be a grandiose lie, sought every shred of evidence, whether given after the community was filled with contempt or during a time when young Joseph Smith was just a poor neighbor. Any religious experiences are described as mysticism, necromancy, or other means of bias against possible truth in the story he told of his life. Thus, she states that he was...