“He had heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in Harmony.” — Joseph Smith Jr.

Josiah Stowell wanted to find the Spanish silver mine rumored to be hidden in the mountains near Harmony, Pennsylvania. He hired Joseph Smith Sr., Calvin Stowell, and a few others.² He also hired Joseph Smith Jr. to help him, believing the young man's gift with seer stones would help locate the treasure.³ Other treasure hunters may have used divining rods.⁴ The group never found anything, and eventually, Joseph convinced Stowell to call off the search.³

While working for Stowell, Joseph Jr. met Emma Hale,³ and the two eloped in 1827.⁵

1. Joseph Smith—History 1:56

2. Appendix 1: Agreement of Josiah Stowell and Others, 1 November 1825, josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 4, 31-33

4. Magical Treasure Hunting in Europe and North America, J. Dillinger, 103-104

5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 4, 35-36