Holiness to the Lord Parchment

Summary:

This is one of three magic parchments found amoung Hyrum Smith's possessions. It is called the Holiness to the Lord Parchement because of the phrase appearing on each side. Many of the magic symbols are copied directly out of The Magus by Francis Barrett published in 1801. All of the parchments likely belonged to Joseph Senior, but were inherited by Hyrum's family after his death. This parchment is covered in a reflective material, like foil. It is in the property of a private collector and sadly there are no new photographs.

Why this matters:

The fact that these items were owned by the Smith family implies that they had more than a passing interest in magic.
The purpose of this parchment seems to be to help procure a visitation from a supernatural being.
It demonstrates that the Smith family and the people of the time had no problem mixing Christianity with magic.
There is an obvious connection to Mormon Temples as they all have the inscription "Holiness to the Lord" on them.

Learn More:

Amazon.com - Early Mormonism and the Magical World View

About Me

I'm just a regular old Mormon that went on a mission, married in the temple and started a family. Later in life I discovered troubling issues about the church which did not seem to mesh with my understanding of the restored gospel. I ultimately left the church even though I really wanted to stay. I still respect the Mormon religion and identify with the culture.

I'm not a historian, and people searching for answers should really look to smarter people than me. But I'm hoping this blog will serve as a kick off point for anyone willing to critically think about the faith. These are just a few things I've encountered in my journey. Some fun, some serious, but all fascinating!