It may have been that. Let me tell you what a retired USAF CMS in Texas, told me. He was an expert on the false religion of Mormonism. His idea, was a lot simpler than that. Joe Smith was a con man, a teller of tall tales. He thought Smith’s motivation was simply to write a fairytale, and make some money on it. He said he didn’t think Smith intended to start a new religion, but it got away from him, so he went along with it.
No matter how it came about, the Book of Mormon, definitely is a fairytale, that will land millions in the lake of fire.
Joseph Smith was also a freemason, which opened him up to supernatural counterfeits; i.e. “doctrines of demons”.
What we Christians will use to cook our MEAT on the grill in the summertime.
Invite all the Mormons (the 'good' ones; that is) you want, and you'll NOT need to lay in any extra steaks!
Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
(D&C 89:12–13)