Was Joseph Smith a convicted con man?
Short answer
No—not on the evidence available. Joseph Smith was accused in 1826 of being a ‘glass looker’ and a ‘disorderly person’ in connection with treasure-seeking, but the original court record is missing and surviving accounts contradict one another. One later account says ‘defendant guilty,’ while William D. Purple—who said he attended the hearing—reported that Joseph was ‘discharged’; the surviving fee bill also does not clearly indicate a conviction. Later proceedings in 1829 and 1830 were dismissed or ended in acquittal.
Joseph did participate in money digging before the Restoration, and he later acknowledged that it was ‘never very profitable.’ That history can fairly be described as morally and historically complicated, but calling him a convicted con man overstates what the records establish. The strongest responsible conclusion is that he was involved in folk treasure-seeking, faced allegations of deception, and may have been found liable in the disputed 1826 proceeding—but a definite criminal conviction is not demonstrated.
Topic: Joseph Smith and Fraud Allegations Source: Q&A Joseph Smith and Fraud Allegations Was Joseph Smith convicted of fraud, money digging, or anything similar? Possibly. Joseph Smith appeared in court several times for being a "glass looker" and a "disorderly person." There are contradictory reports published about the results of an 1826 court appearance, but incidents in 1829 and 1830 were dismissed. Judge Neely's 1826 bill for a misdemeanor charge against 'Joseph Smith The Glass Looker,' with an examination fee of $2.68. What were the allegations against Joseph related to fraud? Date Outcome Charges March 1826 Unclear Being a "glass looker" and a "disorderly person" in an attempt to defraud Josiah Stowell, his former employer. March 1829 Dismissed Attempting to defraud Martin Harris. Summer 1830 Dismissed Being a "disorderly person" for pretending to find hidden treasures by means of a stone. Events related to the 1826 and 1830 fraud-related judicial proceedings against Joseph Smith November 1825: Josiah Stowell hires Joseph Smith to locate a silver mine due to Joseph's reputation of being able to find things "that could not be seen by the natural eye" by means of his seer stone. March 20, 1826: Joseph is accused of "glass looking" and being a "disorderly person." Historical documentation of the outcome is contradictory (see table below). March 1829: According to Lucy Mack Smith, Lucy Harris complains to a magistrate in Lyons, New York against Joseph Smith for defrauding Martin Harris, but the charge is dismissed. Summer 1830: Joseph Smith is charged with being a "disorderly person" in one or possibly two cases and is acquitted. 1834: Doctor Philastus Hurlbut collects various statements from neighbors of the Smith family, some of which recount how Joseph Smith was a "money digger." There is no mention of a conviction in these reports. July 1838: Joseph Smith addresses the charge of his having been a "money digger" in the Latter-day Saint periodical, Elders' Journal , saying that he was a money digger, but it was "never very profitable." 1838–39: Joseph Smith composes his history, which mentions working for Josiah Stowell. June 27, 1844: Joseph Smith is killed in Carthage Jail, Illinois, alongside his brother Hyrum. 29 years pass. February 1873: Fraser's Magazine publishes a reprint of what it purports to be Judge Neely's court notes from an 1826 trial of Joseph Smith, indicating he was found guilty of being a "disorderly person." May 1877: William D. Purple, a critic of the Church who reportedly attended the hearing in 1826, publishes his account in the Chenango Union newspaper noting that Joseph was "discharged" and allowed to leave. 1888: Arthur B. Deming collects statements from neighbors of the Smith family, which appear in Naked Truths About Mormonism , accusing him of deception and money digging.
Anti-Mormons often portray Joseph Smith in the most damaging way possible. Every effort is used to try to impugn his character, damage his reputation and show him to be a fraud and a charlatan. But in 1826 a warrant really was issued for the arrest and trial of Joseph Smith for being a disorderly person and an imposter. The anti-Mormons have pounced on this as evidence of his chicanery. What are the facts surrounding this trial? Was he guilty of being a fraud? Have the anti-Mormons really found the issue that proves Joseph Smith was a false prophet? Russell Anderson explores these issues and gives the background and evidence the anti-Mormons use against Joseph Smith along with the rest of the story.
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