Mary Ann then set out alone for Kirtland, Ohio, then the gathering place of the early Mormons.

(Technically, the log home was just barely north of the town border in Palmyra, a fact likely unknown to early Mormons.)

In the lecture, he said that there was evidence that some early Mormons may have believed in reincarnation.

In addition to Joseph Smith, several other early Mormons said they had visions where they saw the angel Moroni.

In addition to Smith and the other eleven who claimed to be witnesses, a few other early Mormons said they saw the plates.

In contrast to early Mormons, modern Mormons generally reject the idea of original sin.

Despite the book's importance to early Mormonism, early Mormons rarely quoted from the Book of Mormon in their speeches and writings.

Some early Mormons considered Eliza Snow to be a "prophetess".

Their story shows the interplay between early Mormons' intense community loyalty and their frontier-like independence and drive to make good.

In addition, Johnson discovered evidence that this particular plate was among those examined by early Mormons, including Smith, and not a later copy.