I am Ryan McKnight. I'm Kara Santa Maria. I am Christopher Smith. Hi, I'm Andrew Torres. This is

Naked Mormonism. The Serial Mormon History podcast. Today's episode is part two of reading through

the entheogenic origins of Mormonism, a working hypothesis.

Part one constructed an overview of psychedelics in various occult and esoteric practices,

the Smith family's proficiency with manipulating various plant medicines,

Joseph Smith's fascination with ritualistic practices, which often included entheogens,

as well as a framework for a few candidate entheogens, including aminidomaskaria mushrooms,

Urgut fungi, and Dutura.

Part two begins with various magical mentors of Joseph Smith, including Lumen Walters,

who, after his brief affiliation with Mormonism,

made his living from selling plants and herbs as medicine, gaining the label of eclectic

physician and surgeon while operating his apothecary storefront.

That section transitions into the many other botanical physicians Smith surrounded himself

with throughout his ministry,

including Frederick G. Williams, Willard Richards, and John C. Bennett. The remainder of the paper

dives deep into candidate entheogens, their psychoactive profiles, their effects, symptoms, and

internally perceived effects. That basis of information is used to transition into the

first vision experience of Joseph Smith in the early 1820s, and also what can be understood

from his self-reported theophanie when viewed through the psychedelic lens. This portion

we're reading on today's podcast ends with the long-lasting and therapeutic effects of

anthogens, and why they may have had a certain appeal to Joseph Smith in light of his

upbringing and childhood trauma. Of course, you'll find a link to the entire paper in the show

...