Do mormons acknowledge that Joseph Smith occasionally drank wine and tea?

Question

In the biography, "Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling", it tells that even after the revelation of the word of wisdom Joseph occasionally drank wine and tea.
It's not an anti-mormon book, it was written by an active Mormon.

I was pretty sure the surgery when joseph was young would come up in response to this question.

I believe that joseph was 8 or so at the time of his surgery. I think any kid that age would have refused alcohol. The taste just doesn't appeal to kids, its more of an acquired taste.

Especially whiskey.

Answer 1

I've read a few bio's of Smith, and he immediately reminded me of a guy (actually several) I knew in high school - the 'friendly braggart'. Their stories were always 'better' than yours, their version of things always had 'more' drama, and they were the ones who aways got the 'best deals'. I liked them because of their social personability, but I knew they were always full of BS. It was just entertaining BS.

Next on my list is the psychological profile of Smith.

Answer 2

I have never read that book, so I do not know what is written. The only evidence I can give on this matter is when Joseph Smith was young he had a choice of getting his leg cut off or going through a brand new surgery. The surgery would be extremely painful (it involved cutting out part of the bone) and the surgeon said that he should drink whisky to help dull the pain, but Joseph refused. He said that all he needed was his father to hold him and he would be alright. If Joseph Smith turned down alcohol in an extreme situation like this one, why then would he choose to drink it later on in life?

Answer 3

I think that, even after the Word of Wisdom, the Saints used wine for their sacrament for a brief time, until the Lord told Joseph not to buy it from their enemies.

Brigham Young drank "composition" tea. I think it was his own recipe.

Answer 4

Don't post this question! last time I did the question was deleted and I got my first violation.

But ya, he has come along ways from being the boy that so bravely refused to drink even prior an operation, to being the man who would drink on occasion with no real good reason.

Answer 5

I know that he did. The word of wisdom was originally given "not by commandment or constraint,"(D&C 89:2) it became a commandment by revelation after Joseph Smith was already dead.

Answer 6

When the Word of Wisdom was written, it was given as guidance. Preparation I guess you could say. He wasn't forbidden to drink wine or tea. It didn't become a prerequisite for a temple recommend until much later.

I haven't read the book you are referring to...can only comment about the Word of Wisdom..and if he did do these things...he wasn't breaking any commandments. Remember, God prepares his people...so he allowed His people to get used to the idea of the Word of Wisdom before he allowed it to become essential to our faith.

Answer 7

I dont believe Joseph smith was a prophet

Answer 8

I'm Mormon. I acknowledge it. The author of RSR is Mormon and is acknowledges it. So, yes.

Answer 9

I find it incredibly amusing how mormons justify everything.

God's word is not supposed to change, but it changes all the time in mormonism.

They can justify anything, including murder and adultery with their "scriptures" and "revelations".

Answer 10

Funny how something given as "guidance" is now a REQUIREMENT for any Mormons that want to go to the Temple.