Take into context the times in which Joe Smith was preaching. Along the Eyre? canal when people from all over were telling a story about strange places. Think of how much mythology and folklore a young man being raised by his mother could absorb. Throw in a Mummy to show folks around the Missouri area. Throw in a vision or two, and shades of Ancient Aliens, the New World has its own home grown prophet. None of that European, you said, they said, he said stuff.
