[RnMomof7]

I still do not "get it" Is he a criminal? How does he relate to this discussion? Is he an LDS offical or something?

[drstevej]

He murdered one person who figured out the documents were forgeries and was hot on his trail. He himself was injured by another of his own bombs.

Rather than being tried and convicted of murder (what he deserved) the prosecutors (LDS) accepted a plea bargain for man slaughter. Thus no trial, no display of the documents as exhibit A. etc.

Hofman was an accomplished forger. He had the Smithsonian fooled with his forgery of "Oath of a Free Man." They were ready to pay him big bucks. He made the documents in his basement.

One of Hofman's bogus dovcuments purchased by the LDS was the supposed will of Joseph Smith, Jr. designating his son JS III rather than Bringem Young as his successor!

A compelling, tragic and embarassing story depending on your point of view.

[drstevej]

Hofman was a lapsed Mormon who had an interest in LDS history and used his knowledge to give an air of credibility to his documents. He sold them for hundreds of thousands of dollars all told. He was mercenary in his motives.

He was shrewd. He purchased an old paper and Bibles so the paper would be the right vintage. His ink ultimately was his Waterloo. It fooled many but the document experts finally nailed him.