Isaac Hale's sworn affidavit (March 20, 1834): First met JS Nov 1825 as money-digger; describes JS as 'careless young man—not very well educated, and very saucy.' JS eloped with Emma without consent w

I first became acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr. in November, 1825. He was at that time in the employ of a set of men who were called 'money diggers;' and his occupation was that of seeing, or pretending to see by means of a stone placed in his hat, and his hat closed over his face... His appearance at this time, was that of a careless young man—not very well educated, and very saucy and insolent to his father. Smith, and his father, with several other money-diggers boarded at my house while they were employed in digging for a mine... young Smith made several visits at my house, and at length asked my consent to his marrying my daughter Emma. This I refused... while I was absent from home, carried off my daughter, into the state of New York, where they were married without my approbation or consent... Smith stated to me, that he had given up what he called 'glass-looking,' and that he expected to work hard for a living... I was shown a box in which it is said they were contained, which had to all appearances, been used as a glass box of the common window glass. I was allowed to feel the weight of the box, and they gave me to understand, that the book of plates was then in the box—into which, however, I was not allowed to look... I inquired of Joseph Smith Jr., who was to be the first who would be allowed to see the Book of Plates? He said it was a young child. After this, I became dissatisfied, and informed him that if there was any thing in my house of that description, which I could not be allowed to see, he must take it away... the Plates were said to be hid in the woods... About this time, Martin Harris made his appearance upon the stage; and Smith began to interpret the characters... while Harris wrote down the interpretation. It was said, that Harris wrote down one hundred and sixteen pages, and lost them... The manner in which he pretended to read and interpret, 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 hid in the woods! After this, Martin Harris went away, and Oliver Cowdery came and wrote for Smith... I conscientiously believe... that the whole 'Book of Mormon' (so called) is a silly fabrication of falsehood and wickedness, got up for speculation.