The Bible condemns all occultic practices. Why, then, did Joseph Smith continue to use folk magic (for example, using a seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, carrying a Jupiter talisman, etc.) even after allegedly receiving his calling as a prophet of God?

You have defined what is occult and what is not occult…what great expertise do you have? You sound like the witch hunters in early american history. How do you know that Joseph Smith carried a Jupiter talisman??? Read Joseph Smith's teachings…see if they sound like they are of the occult… -MOK (LDS)

COMMENT: The secular publication "The Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology" (Gail Research Company, 1978) identifies both seer stones and Jupiter Talismans as occultic. The purpose of a Jupiter Talisman is to supply power to the owner in order to manipulate the emotions and behavior of others. The Bible identifies a list of things which fall into the catagory of "occult," found in Deuteronomy 18:10-12. God says these things are an abomination to Him. The use of a seer stone would be included under the catagory of "divination" and the use of a talisman would be under "enchanter" in the KJV.

Smith's use of a Jupiter Talisman and additional involvement with magic is very well documented. "Early Mormonism and the Magic World View" written by (then) LDS author D. Michael Quinn clearly discusses (and documents) not only Smith's use of seer stones and talismans, but also his use of sorcery, parchments, divining rods and other occult devices.