“In the month of October, Eighteen hundred and twenty five I hired with an old Gentleman, by name of Josiah Stowell.” — Joseph Smith Jr.¹

During the early nineteenth century, treasure hunting was a popular activity in New England.² Many enthusiasts believed they possessed a “second sight” or a special intuition that could guide them to hidden riches. They often employed tools and techniques such as divining rods, seer stones, and folk magic rituals to aid their searches.¹ There were several treasure hunters in and around Palmyra, and as a young man, Joseph Smith was hired to participate in various treasure-seeking expeditions, none of which were successful.³

1. History, 1838-1856, Volume A-1, josephsmithpapers.org

2. "Treasure seeking," churchofjesuschrist.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 4, 31