- According to Joseph Smith's mother, he possessed a vivid imagination and was telling stories with Book of Mormon themes years before he produced the book.
During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them. | |
 | — Lucy Mack Smith
Joseph Smith’s mother
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- An LDS Church Historian shares Lucy’s view.
That such power of imagination would have to be of a high order is conceded; that Joseph Smith possessed such a gift of mind there can be no question. | |
 | — B. H. Roberts
Mormon Seventy and Church Historian
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- In the first edition of the Book of Mormon, Joseph was listed as ‘Author and Proprietor’. This was changed to ‘Translator’ in subsequent editions.
- Joseph intended to sell the Book of Mormon copyright.
Joseph looked into the hat in which he placed the stone, and received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right of the Book of Mormon. | |
 | — David Whitmer
President of the Missouri church and Book of Mormon witness
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