The Hurlbut affidavits were statements gathered and compiled by Doctor Philastus Hurlbut, and then published in the book Mormonism Unvailed. The statements were gathered by Hurlbut in an attempt to discredit Joseph Smith's prophetic claims and The Book of Mormon. The affidavits are often used in books and articles critical of Joseph Smith and the LDS church.
History
Doctor Hurlbut was a Methodist preacher that joined the Church of Christ, the original name of the Latter Day Saint church founded by Joseph Smith, sometime between 1832 and 1833. In June, 1833, Hurlbut was excommunicated from the church on accounts of sexual immorality. It was claimed that he "was accused of unchristian conduct with the female sex while on a mission to the east". Shortly thereafter, he was hired by citizens of Ohio to collect information regarding Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon. The affidavits are diverse in their assertions. Many testified of Joseph Smith's supposed laziness, money-digging, and fantasies. A large part of the affidavits relate to the Spaulding theory of Book of Mormon authorship.