I have never been able to decide if he was mentally ill in addition to being one of the world’s greatest religious con artists. Gerald Gardner, Jim Jones and Aleister Crowley had no game compared to this man. Muhammad is the only person who surpassed his influence and con game.
"The Friends" near Seneca Lake were another "weirdo group". People were just plain ignorant but apparently liked the "grouping" concept even if it meant giving up everything in the name of Faith".
Both Smith and Jemima Wilkinson were cons. Wilkinson's group soon died out....very soon. Brigham Young went on to proliferate Smith's "dreams".
People were just plain ignorant and still are. But, their religion is their business.
Pssst...Islam is NOT a religion.