The Holy Rebellion podcast, Christian the host interviewed historian Mark Ashurst-McGee (a scholar with the Joseph Smith Papers).  They discuss the historical context of Joseph Smith's involvement in treasure hunting and the controversial claims that he was a "convicted con man."

They normalize treasure digging as not weird but as religious and a culturally accepted practice. Mark discusses how his plumber at his home used a divining rod to try to find a hidden pipe. (Didn’t work). 

They discuss the trial of Joseph Smith as a disorderly person and say that the evidence he was convicted is inconclusive. But yes he was tried. 

Do you have to believe Joseph was convicted to believe he was a con-man? I don’t think that a conviction in court is required. He had fantasy stories to try to get gain and influence his whole life. 

Is treasure digging religious? Weird? An attempt to con or sincere? 

Here is a link to the videos:

https://youtu.be/ePeZwR5rsQc

I believe this shorter one is from the above interview but just the parts about treasure digging being “normal” and religious. 

https://youtu.be/wh-0ofeWSN8

Was Joseph Smith a convicted con-man because of treasure digging? This historian says it’s not conclusive.