The Occult Influences on Mormonism with Nick Literski

Mormonism is an American Religious tradition that started in the early 19th century by one single figure, Joseph Smith. To followers he is considered a prophet and a seer; one who received many revelations in his life which are all part of what makes Mormonism what it is today. Yet, through the years many have taken a closer look at what occurred with Joseph Smith initially at the birth of Mormonism, and have noticed many Occult as well as Masonic Influences. Going through it all, WMiT? is joined by Scholar, Author and Spiritual guide Dr. Nick Literski.

Dr. Nicholas Literski is an adjunct lecturer at the California Institute of Integral Studies, a Jungian scholar, and a professional spiritual guide. In 2001, Nick became the first Master Mason raised in Hancock County after the 1840s Mormon exodus, going on to receive the Royal Arch, Cryptic, and Knight Templar degrees within the York, as well as the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. They are one of the authors of Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration which will be released in August 2022. Nick also provides Spiritual Coaching and workshops for those in need at their website Dancing Ancestors! For all that Dr. Literski gets up to- click the pic!

Show Notes

• Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration by  Cheryl L. Bruno, Joe Steve Swick III, and Nicholas S. Literski – Available August 2022
• An Introduction to Mormons and Freemasonry by Dr. Nick Literski
• Freemasonry’s Impact on Mormon Mourning in Nauvoo – Dr. Nick’s presentation begins at 32:55
• Early Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn – A must read if this subject is interesting to you
• The Angel and the Sorcerer: The Remarkable Story of the Occult Origins of Mormonism and the Rise of Mormons in American Politics by Peter Levenda – Some great info in here. And some other things
• Mormonism, Magic & Masonry by Jerald and Sandra Tanner
• Scrying for the Lord: Magic, Mysticism, and the Origins of the Book of Mormon by Clay L. Chandler – Click Agree and have a read, this is a very good article on this subject
• Lost Mormonism: A visual guide to the lost artifacts, doctrines, superstitions, events, and characters of Mormonism – This website is a treasure trove. Spend some time clicking around
• Cunning folk traditions and the Latter Day Saint movement
• The Glass Looker by Mark Elwood – A Comic book about the early life and adventures of Joseph Smith
• Healing the divide between Christianity and the Occult
• Francis Barrett’s The Magus – Probably where Joseph got almost all of his magical knowledge from. There’s an easier to read version here
• More Cunning than Folk: An Analysis of Francis Barrett’s The Magus as indicative of a transitional period of English Magic
• The Smith Family had parchments which contained seals from Reginald Scot’s The Discoverie of Witchcraft as well as Ebenezer Sibly’s A New and Complete illustration of the celestial science
• Mormonism & Magic – Well worth a read
• Joseph Smith and Kabbalah: The Occult Connection
• “Is There No Help for the Widow’s Son?” – The infamous Talisman
• The Legend of Enoch – Golden plate, you say?
• The Art of Drawing Spirits into Crystals – From The Magus. Probably a rather large influence on Joseph Smith
• Sam Block goes through the Art of Drawing Spirits into Crystals as well as a Postscript
• Between Religion and Magic: The Case of Mormonism
• Magical Treasure Hunting in Europe and North America by Johannes Dillinger – The best book on this subject hands down, although extremely expensive
• Skulls and Crossed Bones?: A Forensic Study of the Remains of Hyrum and Joseph Smith
• The Salamander Letter – Care to go down a Rabbit-Hole? Also worth checking out is the documentary Murder among the Mormons
• The Prophet’s Wife by Libbie Grant – A lyrical novel exploring the hidden history of the Mormon church through the eyes of one woman: Emma, first wife of the prophet Joseph Smith.