Joseph Smith claims divine gifts as seer and translator; acquires Egyptian mummies and papyrus scrolls in Kirtland, Ohio

In 1835, as Mormonism was being founded, Joseph Smith claimed to have gifts as a seer and translator on behalf of God. A traveling exhibition came to Kirtland, Ohio containing four Egyptian mummies and two papyrus scrolls. The exhibitor, Michael Chandler, brought these to Joseph Smith. Mormons believed Smith had a God-given ability to understand ancient languages, including potentially texts dating back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.