Although I can't remember where I read it (CRS syndrome kicking in!) I do remember seeing a photocopied news article regarding Josepth Smith and his associates being run out of town because he was found guilty of fraud and theft from citizens in that town. It was in a book somewhere, probably my grandmother's collection.

And sure anyone can say that of course, but something left a negative enough impression to stop my getting more involved with Mormonism in my teens (several girlfriends were mormon and boooy oh boy were some of the missionary guys awfully darn cute!) She has since died and her books dispersed to who knows where. She didn't like the mormans though and probably she pointed that book out to me when I mentioned what I was considering. She was the type to let me make my own decisions about such things but since I decided not to go any further, I am guessing that is probably where I read it.

But that was 35 years ago and things do get fuzzy as time passes. A *lot* of religions count on that very thing though, the time created fuzziness, to cloak their less than glorious beginnings I think, Mormonism just being one of the more recent and there still being origin information around in libraries and such.

But you will get no argument from me about him being as much of a prophet as any of the other religions, though. My take on religion and prophets isn't very positive as you can probably tell. I think it is all meant as social control and parting people from their money, not anything about finding and having a good relationship with god.

And the New World Order bunch are most likely to be our new overlords, push comes to shove. They reaaaalllyyy realllly want to be. I don't think they will let the mormons take it from them. :)