"The Smith family supplemented its meager farm income by treasure-digging,[17] likewise relatively common in contemporary New England.[18] Joseph claimed an ability to use seer stones for locating lost items and buried treasure.[19] To do so, Smith would put a stone in a white stovepipe hat and would then see the required information in reflections given off by the stone.[20]" #17 ^ a b Quinn (1998, p. 136). #18 ^ Quinn (1998, pp. 25–26). #19 ^ Quinn (1987, p. 173); Bushman (2005, pp. 49-51); Persuitte (2000, pp. 33–53). #20 ^ Brooke (1994, p. 152–53); Quinn (1998, pp. 43–44); Bushman (2005, pp. 45–52). See also the following primary sources: Harris (1833, pp. 253-54); Hale (1834, p. 265); Clark (1842, p. 225); Turner (1851, p. 216); Harris (1859, p. 164); Tucker (1867, pp. 20–21); Lapham (1870, p. 305); Lewis & Lewis (1879, p. 1); Mather (1880, p. 199). http://www.answers.com/topic/joseph-smith "The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret [The Book of Mormon], was the same as when he looked for the money-diggers, with the stone in his hat, and his hat over his face, while the Book of Plates were at the same time in the woods!" Affidavit of Isaac Hale, father-in-law of Joseph Smith, Jr., given at Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on 20 March 1834 http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=79199&catid=530