Joseph Smith Jr. Was A Really Bad Con Man, How Did He Succeed?

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trustyoursources's picture
Joseph Smith Jr. Was A Really Bad Con Man, How Did He Succeed?

Joseph Smith in retrospect seems so obvious. Golden Plates no one could see, translating from looking inside a hat. He was a failure as a treasure hunter, how did he succeed?

I am making a Biography of Joseph Smith Jr. and reading through all the history blows my mind that anyone fell for it, what am I missing?

If anyone cares here is a link to my series
The Biography Of Joseph Smith Jr. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKx8IHlb4VY

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Sky Pilot's picture
trustyoursources,

trustyoursources,

Joseph Smith told the guys that they could get all of the nookie they wanted if they joined his cult. He promised them that they would become gods, each with his own planet and harem. That was a better deal than the one promised in the Bible.

trustyoursources's picture
Lol this is true he was the

Lol this is true he was the Christian offering a Muslim style Heaven.

Old man shouts at clouds's picture
Au Contraire, dear old Jo

Au Contraire, dear old Jo Smiff wasn't a con man, he was a flim flam man who then turned con man when. to his surprise his long con was accepted by the 'marks'. He then (like Mohammed and Paul/Saul before him) had to start making stuff up that would appeal to the venality and sexual appetities of his (at first) small band of adherents. He traded on their already patterned religiosity and ingrained superstitions.
That he succeeded is just the mark of a damn good salesman and the gullibility of his audience. Very much how Herr Schickelgruber (Hitler) presented to an audience already part conditioned to believe in fairy tales and the mastery of the aryan 'race'.

trustyoursources's picture
Its Insane what people will

Its Insane what people will buy into.

CyberLN's picture
I think it’s all about the

I think it’s all about the human need to belong.

trustyoursources's picture
Cults do give their followers

Cults do give their followers a sense of family no doubt.

CyberLN's picture
https://youtu.be/-r-ci4iybt8
trustyoursources's picture
Watching it now interesting

Watching it now interesting stuff.

CyberLN's picture
I’m a TED addict...

I’m a TED addict...

LogicFTW's picture
Me too.

Me too.

Ted talks is amazing. Helped me with my own life a lot.

watchman's picture
Old man ....

Old man ....

Is quite correct....."the gullibility of his audience".... played a very large part in his success....

Don't forget it all started in what is known as the "Second Great Awakening" .... and geographically in the "Burned over" district....
along side.... Millerites , Adventists ,Jehovahs Witness' and the Spiritualist Movement started by the Fox sisters.

Check out this link.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burned-over_district

It seems the peoples of this district were falling over themselves to find an ever increasing number of supposed new religions.

(I think someone put something in the water supply)

trustyoursources's picture
Thanks for the link, might be

Thanks for the link, might be a topic starter for a new documentary you never know.

Cognostic's picture
Starting several religions

Starting several religions before the Mormon Religion. Using magic seer stones throughout his life. Getting run out of towns on a rail while tared and feathered. Getting shot while attempting to escape from jail. And this is the Magic Prophet of the Mormon faith. YEP! Keep reading, the joke goes on and on and on.

Once you finish that, go to You Tube and check out their Crazy Beliefs. You know those Mormons who come knocking on your door are wearing magic protective panties? I kid you not!

trustyoursources's picture
Haha its nuts! I am thinking

Haha its nuts! I am thinking of making a documentary on "the book of mormon" itself

David Killens's picture
There are people who still

There are people who still fall prey to Nigerian scammers. People can be gullible, and when you dangle rewards in front of their faces, a lot of common sense goes out the window.

Jesus promised his followers all the goodies, lots of hot virgins, fame, fortune and an eternity enjoying the fun stuff. Many other religious leaders also entice their followers with similar methods, promising wonderful things.

And unfortunately, too many people are very gullible. Like cancer, it is a human condition that has no positive effects.

trustyoursources's picture
This is true those of weak

This is true those of weak will and with a want to belong anything can be believed. Plus pussy is the best marketing lets be real nothing beats it.

CyberLN's picture
Cats are good marketing tools

Cats are good marketing tools?

Tin-Man's picture
@Cyber Re: Cats as

@Cyber Re: Cats as marketing tools

Why OF COURSE cats are good marketing tools. I mean, c'mon! Who could possibly resist a cute cuddly little kitten playing with a piece of string? They're freakin' adorable!

Nyarlathotep's picture
Mormons are just as crazy as

Mormons are just as crazy as other theists, imo.

trustyoursources's picture
It true but because Joseph

It true but because Joseph Smith's life is so recent and well documented I feel like the information they need to realize the con is so much closer within reach then lets say the story of Jesus where pretty much 0 first hand evidence exists and no one even knows if he was a real person to begin with.

Sapporo's picture
It isn't easy for me to

It isn't easy for me to imagine Mormons getting angry about their prophet being mocked compared to other sects that come to mind, but perhaps that shows a certain prejudice or a lack of direct experience.

LogicFTW's picture
A sucker is born every minute

A sucker is born every minute. And these sort of people proffit.
Also reminds me of Ron l Hubbard.

trustyoursources's picture
Hubbard might get his own

Hubbard might get his own webseries soon from me lol dude was nuts.

sjewins's picture
Because the world is full of

Because the world is full of fools

trustyoursources's picture
Preach!

Preach!

Tin-Man's picture
Hi, guys! *waving and

Hi, guys! *waving and smiling like a maniac*

*eyes wide, talking like a squirrel on speed* I would like to take a moment of your time to share with you the absolutely WONDERFUL news about my incredibly AWESOME Lord and Savior, Joaksownue (Spread His Infinite Tenderness). It is through His ultimate power and grace that I have been newly re-born once again in His enlightening glowing image of fluorescent LOVE and WISDOM so that I might reap all the rewards promised by Joaksownue (SHIT) in the Eternal Land of Hopscotch. YOU, too, can experience the everlasting joy of having Joaksownue (SHIT) as your personal guide to the Eternal Land of Hopscotch by simply BELIEVING in His word and donating only a small portion of your Christmas presents and leftover Easter candy to our ministry. The rewards to you will be beyond your wildest dreams. For in the Eternal Land of Hopscotch, our savior Joaksownue (SHIT) promises your donations of presents and candy will be multiplied unto you a hundred fold. And there will be an infinite supply of any flavored Kool-Aid of your choosing. Plus, there will be perpetual games of hopscotch (naturally), hide and seek, freeze-tag, and Red Rover. The days are always perfectly sunny with endlessly rolling lawns of lush green grass perfectly manicured. And for those who are deemed to be extra faithful in the eyes of Joaksownue (SHIT), there will be a special V.I.P. pass issued to allow access to the exclusive Holy Recreation Tent, Inside there will be board games of every variety, unlimited salad bars and dessert bars, multiple mega-sized flat screen HD televisions playing every Bugs Bunny cartoon ever made, and even a sacred stash of Playboy and Penthouse magazines. As you can see, Joaksownue (SHIT) is truly gracious and loving. Please accept my invitation to our next Holy Gathering. And remember, Joaksownue (SHIT) loves you and wants you to Spread His Infinite Tenderness.

trustyoursources's picture
I joining and instantly

I joining and instantly breaking off to form a new sect of Joaksownue we here will worship the real Joaksownue, only we can spread his infinite tenderness and know that Red Rover in heaven is a lie and will actually be dodge ball. Join us shun those who spread the Red Rover Lies!

Tin-Man's picture
@Trust

@Trust

DODGE BALL??? (*mumbling to self* damn, wish I had thought of that.) Dodge ball, you say? Hmph! Don't be so absurd, you blasphemous heathen! (*mumbling to self* even though I really like dodge ball.) Any TRUE believer KNOWS that the divine Joaksownue (SHIT) does not condone the playing of that devil's sport of dodge ball! (*mumbling to self* unless I can get him to change his mind.) Red Rover is the only TRUE holy game played in The Eternal Land of Hopscotch. (*mumbling to self* maybe if I tell the big guy I'll supply the equipment.) Go! Take your rebellious clan of destitute souls and follow the path of wicked ball tossing evil! Good riddance to you all! (*mumbling to self* ah, fuck-it. even if Lord Joaksownue (shit) doesn't change his mind, I can always head over to Trust's place and get in on a game or two every now and then.)

trustyoursources's picture
Joaksownue will grant all who

Joaksownue will grant all who have been tagged out in his holy dodge ball war a place in his eternal hopscotch heaven. I urge all to join the fight and become dodge ball Martyrs!

Randy the Atheist's picture
Joseph Smith invented

Joseph Smith invented mormonism in an attempt to explain the existence of the North American Indians and their prehistoric isolation which prevented them from knowing the christian superstition.

Were these Indians simply born in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is Jesus absolutely necessary for a man's salvation? Did Jesus even stop by to say hello to these people?

Nagging questions such as these are addressed at the heart of the book of mormon with unusual rites such as baptism for the dead, an American Garden of Eden, a Jesus who stopped by to say hello, and the belief that the Indians are decendants from the lost tribe of the Hebrews called the Lamanites. After the discovery of Hawaii and the greater Pacific regions, Mormons began to attribute a Lamanite relationship to them as well.

Smith was ultimately disproven in 1996 with the study of Asian and Polynesian mtDNA analysis. He was disproven again in 2013 with the mapping of native American DNA.

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