"But people who don't like Mormons don't want to read about Joseph Smith using a biblical object with something to block out distractions."
If these "seer stones," which is what Joseph Smith called them (they were never termed "Urim and Thummim" until at least ten years after the fact), were considered to be Biblical, why did so many communities during that era penalize the use of such under the law, as being occult divination? And, if Joseph Smith was not communicating with God when his face was covered by his hat, then just what was he communicating with? This is an honest question, not a mockery.
I do not "hate" Mormons. Every Mormon I have ever met personally has been an unfailingly polite and decent person. The benefits of clean living are obvious for all to see, which makes it all the more surprising to me that the origins of this religious belief are dogged by accusations, that are, to be frank, of not just occult but fraud as well. I am certain that you are aware of these charges yourself, or you would not be so defensive about it. You may want to consider whether you are being deceived yourself. I know I felt deceived, when I was so impressed by the nice young fellows on bicycles, so earnest and so neatly dressed. So persuasive, too. But, I've come to the concusion that this represents serious error. If this makes you angry, well, all I can say is that I made my decisions based upon Biblical precepts. Joseph Smith is regarded within the Mormon Church as not just "a" prophet, but The Prophet. He prophesied many things that were and are untrue. Do you really believe that Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, located in Jackson County, Missouri? I don't. This is just one instance. There are many others.
In your heart, surely you know this?
You need to expand your reading outside the Tanners. But then, you won't have nice, neat reasons to dislike Mormonism.
No point in continuing the dialog further. I should have known better.