Are Mormons allowed to take hallucinogenic drugs or was the time Joseph Smith did it, a one off?

Answer 1

Despite your original intent of your question, a force greater than Yahoo compels me to respond.

The "Vision" is a critical and defining moment of nearly every religious movement: Abraham, Moses, Mohammed, Swedenborg, Smith to name but a very few.

A Vision is interpreted as a word from god or some higher being with a new and better message for mankind. Some people base their entire life on it; others are ridiculed for it. Some have both attributes.

Nutritional experts have noted that certain elements in or excluded from food may cause either 'visions' or hallucinations. Poor diet is a extremely common cause, and poor diet stems generally from poverty. Early 19th century pioneers did not have a reliable FDA approved food source, nor any protection from parasites, bacteria or other plant-borne diseases, and many people of that time claimed incredible visitations from god, jesus and angels. The Smith family was literally dirt poor, and many of their crops failed.

Hypoglycemia, which can be brought on by 'fasting' reduces the cellular exchange of proteins in the bloodstream especially in the brain, so light-headedness and semi-consciousness occurs rapidly. If one is given to extreme religiousness upbringing, as in the case of Smith, any hallucination brought on by this physical state can be interpreted as a 'vision'. His leg surgery (without anesthesia)of a few years prior may have also contributed with his break with reality

Or, he could be faking it all along hoping no one would catch on.

Answer 2

Mormons are allowed to do anything, given that they have the same moral agency anyone else has. Since Mormons understand the repercussions of their actions, they are advised not to do and choose not to do certain things, such as take hallucinogenic drugs.

Whether or not Joseph Smith did anything or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is whether *we* have been advised with *current* information that such a practice is not conducive to righteous living.

Answer 3

Joseph Smith was a conman and his tribe of peons is sounding off to your question. I guess the Lamanite Indians must have given Joseph Smith a few too many of their hallucinogenic Peyote Buttons.

Answer 4

What makes you think Joseph Smith ever took hallucinogenic drugs ever?

P.S. hey, redvelvet, sis, don't hold back, let us know how you really feel! ;-)

BTW, I don't usually condone such language, but I am SO tempted to give you a thumbs up!

Answer 5

Joseph Smith was not on drugs, he was money hungrey and was a sex addict tho (he married many of his members wives secretly) (one was 14 years old), he liked gold, gold plates that is. A lot of Mormon women are on anti-depressants because of stress.

Answer 6

wow, well there is ignorance personified! this question doesn't even deserve a legitimate response because it is so intolerant and ludicrous! you can't think of a legitimate reason to disagree or even dislike us so you come up with stupid comments like that and then try to drag others into your narrow mided frame of mind. Please grow up, and if you consider yourself a christian, or any other self respecting religion, i would seriously rethink your attitude because i know for christians you are definatley not being chritslike and for any other religion i doubt if they would condone your blantent ignorance. But i do hope that one day your eyes will be opened and you will learn to respect people of all walks of life and all different beliefs. Hopefully before it's too late. So good luck with that.

Answer 7

I don't know, but I know the whole Joseph Smith story sounds like a bad mushroom trip.

Answer 8

You mean all Mormons don't take hallucinogenic drugs?

Answer 9

Do not believe in any religion that advises people to use intoxicants.

Answer 10

by your tone I assume that you are free of sin. so in that case toss the first stone my dear.