[SZonian]

"Using the word “personages” is very deceptive..."

Very astute observation. It should make some wonder why he chose the word he did as opposed to a more reverent word.

Also, "...asked these personages which..."

If this event was as important to the world as claimed and coming from a boy who supposedly was a humble, God fearing kid, why didn't he recount this event by saying something like "...asked God which..." or "...asked Jesus which..."?

First, because I don't believe it happened, he didn't think his story through well enough (just look at the approx. 15 different versions of the "First Vision").

Second, because this way he gave himself a lot of flexibility in dealing with any who would question him. It's what scammers do. Give themselves an out.

[caww]

I agree....This Joseph Smith was a master con-man and manipulator of everything surrounding his life....but then that is the definition of a cult leader....they develope a “story” with all the mystical-ism possible to contrive....his hat and rock deal was actually laughable...makes you wonder where are peoples heads to believe this hocus pocus, especially in todays world where we can access enough information, prior to involvement, to make informed decisions.

Even if he met with ‘spirits’ you can be guaranteed they were demonic...and certainly not God Or Christ....this guy wanted adoration and the worship of people and was bent on getting this to feed his huge ego. His History and what he caused, created and forged thru on in the development of his following was brutal and robbed the people of the fullness of life Jesus intended for them....and this certainly continues today.....unfortunately those involved today have fallen for that same deception.