Joseph Smith Sr. was age57 when the pages were lost. This is significant because the average age of death in 1830 was age 37. At age 57, Joseph Smith Sr. would be considered “old.” A typical man his age would be giving advice and possibly be considered wise. It would be most unusual for this age group to make a rash decision like stealing the 116 pages. They would more likely be observers and critics of their more energetic sons or men of means who would pay someone to steal the pages—i.e. Lemuel Durfee.
Beeman, Alvah – age 53
Blackman, Zachariah – age 66
Blatchly, Cornelius – age 55
Bradish, Calvin – age 55
Durfee, Lemuel Sr. – age 69
Ensworth, Azel – age 69
Jackway, William – age 64
Jessup, Henry – age 52
Payne, Hiram – age 65
Robinson, Dr. Gain – age 59
Saunders, Enoch – age 57
Thayer, Joel – age 56
Thayer, Levi – age 56