The universal relationship between religion and the use of mind-altering drugs is‚ of course‚ well documented in oral history. There is also plenty of physical evidence.   According to J. M. Allegro‚ author of The Scared Mushroom and the Cross‚ the Judeo-Christian belief system was heavily influenced by altered states of consciousness. This was produced through the use of hallucinogens such as the Amanita muscaria mushroom.  Similarly‚ in his book Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality‚ scholar R. G. Wasson contends that the ancient Indo-Aryans (Indo-Iranian-speaking pastoralists who migrated from Central Asia into South Asia) ingested soma.  He believes that this is the Amanita muscaria mushroom and that they ingested it during the writing of their most significant religious text‚ the Rig Vedat.  Additionally‚ an article written by researcher Jennifer Majchrzak titled “Peyote and Native American Culture‚” explains the ritualistic use of peyote. It was used by members of the Native American Church. This is now the most widespread indigenous religion among Native Americans in the US.  Thus‚ with so many examples of hallucinogens being used to reach higher levels of consciousness‚ is it really so far-fetched that Joseph Smith used psychedelics in his quest for divinity? And that he founded his church on drug-induced visions?  Painting of Joseph Smith by an unknown painter‚ circa 1842.  Early Life Joseph Smith‚ Jr.‚ was born on December 23‚ 1805‚ to a poor and what was considered “religiously unconventional” Vermont family. His father‚ Joseph Sr.‚ is said to have believed in magic. He was a follower of Universalist theology. They believed in a personal god and savior. They also believed in the Universalist doctrine that the atonement of Christ is sufficient to redeem all men. His mother‚ Lucy‚ practiced Christian “Primitivistism.” This is the belief that a purer form of Christianity should be restored using the early Church as a model.   One of ten children (possibly 11)‚ Smith contracted a crippling bone infection at the age of eight. This forced him to rely on crutches into his teens. After struggling for several years to make ends meet as a farmer and merchant‚ in 1816‚ Smith’s father moved his family to western New York. They moved near Palmyra‚ where he accepted whatever work he could find. They were also farming land rented on credit. The family ultimately lost their plot of land but continued to live there and farm it as tenants until 1831. Despite his physical limitations‚ Smith worked the fields with his father and brothers. He also participated in many money-making endeavors with the senior Joseph. Between his field-hand duties and physical limitations‚ it appears that Smith received no formal education. VisionsThe post Mormonism: Did Joseph Smith Found His Church on Drug-Induced Visions? first appeared on History Defined.