Joseph Smith, Peepstone Prophet, approx age 36DON'T look into his eyes!Here, then, we have his [Joseph Smith's] own confession, that he was a vile, dishonest impostor.Josiah Stowell, a Mormonite, being sworn, testified that he positively knew that said Smith never had lied to, or deceived him, and did not believe he ever tried to deceive any body else. The following questions were then asked him, to which he made the replies annexed.
"Did Smith ever tell you there was money hid in a certain glass which he mentioned? Yes. Did he tell you, you could find it by digging? Yes. Did you dig? Yes. Did you find any money? No. Did he not lie to you then, and deceive you? No! the money was there, but we did not get quite to it! How do you know it was there? Smith said it was!"[some things never change...]Addison Austin was next called upon, who testified, that at the very same time that Stowell was digging for money, he, Austin, was in company with said Smith alone, and asked him to tell him honestly whether he could see this money or not...Smith hesitated some time, but finally replied, "to be candid, between you and me, I cannot, any more than you or any body else; but any way to get a living."- from the Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate Utica NY April 9, 1831
Start with a lousy foundation, you end up with a lousy building, or temple, in this case.