Mormon History 1830-1844

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Word of Wisdom (1833–1839)
    Pre-revelation    
Joseph drank while translating   [Joseph] drank too much liquor during/before Book of Mormon translation.   ¶ Minutes of February 12, 1834
   
   
August [1–7],1830

Wine for sacrament
  Newel Knights and his wife paid us a visit at our place in Harmony. Neither his wife nor mine had been as yet confirmed, and it was proposed that we should <have sacrament together &> confirm them; before he & his wife should leave us. and that we   Papers 1:260–261.
    In order to prepare for these things I set out—to go to procure some wine for the occasion. I had however gone but a short distance when I was met by a heavenly messenger, and had the following revelation [D&C 27]. the first paragraph of which was written at this time, & the remainder in Septer following    
    Agreeable to this revelation we prepared some wine of our own make, and <and> held our meeting which consisted only of five; viz: Newel Knight & wife myself & wife and John Whitmer. We partook together of the sacrament after which we confirmed the two sisters into the Church, and spent the evening in a glorious manner. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us and we praised God & rejoiced exceedingly.    
   
   
February 26, 1833

National Temperance Day
  February 26 was designated as National Temperance Day; Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants was given on February 27, 1833.   HBLL note on temperance document. I have not found any other information about National Temperance Day.
 
 
    Revelation    
February 27, 1833.   Health guidelines with promise of health, wisdom, and deliverance from the destroying angel.   D&C 89, Feb. 27, 1833.
20/21 school of the prophets used tobacco Bro. Coltrin: When the Word of Wisdom was first presented by the Prophet Joseph (as he came out of the translating room) and was read to the School, there were twenty out of the twenty-one who used tobacco and they all immediately threw their tobacco and pipes into the fire.   Zebedee Coltrin statement to the School of the Prophets in Salt Lake, October 3, 1883, School of the Prophets Minutes.
School members There were members as follows: Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, William Smith , Frederick G. Williams, Orson Hyde, (who had the charge of the school) Zebedee Coltrin, Sylvester Smith, Joseph Smith Sen. Levi Hancock, Martin Harris, Sidney Rigdon, Newel K. Whitney, Samuel H. Smith, John Murdock, Lyman Johnson and Ezra Thayer.   (sic) and [,] used in New Mormon Studies CD-ROM version are removed here.

Original: Fredrick, Newell
   
   
    Observance    
May 23, 1833

Emma serves tea and coffee
  [May 26, 1833] … we arrived at Kirtland, Ohio, having travelled 500 miles … on the next day we hired a house in the City of Brother Joseph Coe & moved into it. Brother Cousin Joseph took Brother Brown's family home with him—his Wife asked Sister Brown if she would like a cup of tea or coffee after her long journey—in a few days they settled in company with Elder Jos. H Wakefield they purchased a large wagon … & settled [in Chagrin] contrary to the council of the Prophet & they all afterward apostatized, assigning as a reason that the Prophet's Wife had offered them tea & coffee <w[hi]ch was> contrary to the word of wisdom, & that they had actually seen Joseph the Prophet <come down out of> the translating room & go to play with t his children.   George A. Smith, 10.
   
   
    Required    
February 20, 1834

Required of official members
  [Joseph:] no official member in this church is worthy to hold an office after having the words of wisdom properly taught to him, and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with, or obey them   Minutes of February 20, 1834

terms: official members
   
   
    Excommunication    
April 4, 1835

Elder excommunicated
  April 4, 1835 at a conference in Freedom, New York, Elder Chester L. Heath, a member of the Avon-Geneseo church, is excommunicated for breach of covenant and not observing the Word of Wisdom. Sidney Rigdon presides.   MH B-1, 588 // MA 1, no. 7 (Apr. 1835): 101–102.
   
   
    Joseph    
August 19, 1835

  Almon Babbitt's defense for breaking the Word of Wisdom: Joseph and others don't observe it. He is admonished to keep it anyway.   Minutes of August 19, 1835
 
   
    Sacrament and washing    
December 4, 1836

Abstinence
  [Kirtland:] President RIGDON called a vote of the Church [111] to discountenance the use intirely of all liquors from the Church in Sickness & in health except wine at the Sacraments & for external Washing. The vote was carried eunanimously.   WWJ, Dec. 4, 1836, 1:110–111.
   
   
    Fellowship    
May 1837

Literal interpretation
  [Far West high council:] we will not fellowship any ordained member who will or does not observe the Word of Wisdom according to its litteral reading.   Minutes of May 1837 (John Corrill provides wine for sacrament.)
 
   
    All elders    
Elders must teach or lose license   [Kirtland elders quorum votes:] that all the Elders that traveled to preach Should observe and teach the Word of wisdom to others or be reported to this the Elders quorum and their Licence be Demanded.   Kirtland elders, 33.
   
   
    Boycott purveyors    
November 7, 1837

Boycott vendors
  Far West general assembly votes to boycott stores that sell "spirituous liquors, Tea, Coffee or Tobacco."   Minutes of November 7, 1837
 
   
    Oliver, David, and John    
January 26, 1838

Tea and coffee not hot drinks
  Oliver drinks tea three times a day in winter for his health. David and John Whitmer drink tea and coffee—do not consider them hot drinks.    Minutes of January 26, 1838
 
   
    David    
February 1838

Tea, coffee, tobacco
  George M. Hinkle denounces David Whitmer for using tea, coffee, and tobacco.    Minutes of February 5–9, 1838
 
   
    John    
March 10, 1838

Occasional liquor
  John Whitmer is criticized for teaching that "a man could drink liquor once in a while, but not make a free use of it &c."   Minutes of March 10, 1838
 
   
    Joseph endorses    
April 8, 1838

  Joseph makes "a few remarks on the word of wisdom, giving the reason of its coming forth, saying it should be observd."   ¶ Minutes of April 8, 1838
 
   
    Lyman E. and David    
April 13, 1838

  Violation of Word of Wisdom included in final charges against Lyman E. Johnson (coffee, tea, liquor, brandy) and David Whitmer.   Minutes of April 13, 1838
 
   
    Not a capital offense    
April 14, 1838   An elder opposing Word of Wisdom "erred in spirit, therefore, feel to admonish him, but do not find anything in him worthy of death or bonds."   Minutes of April 14, 1838
   
   
    Lyman Wight  
June 29, 1838

Drunkemness
  Lyman Wight, guilty of public drunkenness, is given a month to confess. Minutes of June 29, 1838
 
Beliefs and Practices




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