Posted by:
neffie
(
)
Date: January 22, 2011 06:03PM
It may surprise you to know that J.S. himself was a drinker - authorized his own legal authority to sell it - and drank while in jail. I am certain there are much more scholarly sources to refer to, but here's something that came up quickly on google:
ON JOSEPH SMITH'S DRINKING
And since everyone is dancing around the issue of Joseph Smith's well documented fondness for liquor:
Joseph Smith, authorizing himself to sell liquor:
"Ordinance on the Personal Sale of Liquors. Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Nauvoo, that the Mayor of the city be and is hereby authorized to sell or give spirits of any quantity as he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health and comfort, or convenience of such travelers or other persons as shall visit his house from time to time.Passed December 12, 1843.JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor. WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder." (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 111)
Brother Joseph, enjoying the fruits of the vine and the grains of the field:
"Called at the office and DRANK A GLASS OF WINE with Sister Jenetta Richards, made by her mother in England, and reviewed a portion of the conference minutes.” (History of the Church,Vol. 5, p. 380)
“We then partook of some refreshments, and OUR HEARTS WERE MADE GLAD WITH THE FRUIT OF THE VINE.”
(History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 369)
"Elders Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, and Warren Parrish, then presented the Presidency with three servers of glasses filled with WINE to bless. And it fell to my lot to attend to this duty, which I cheerfully discharged. It was then passed round in order, then the cake in the same order; and suffice it to say, OUR HEARTS WERE MADE GLAD while partaking of the bounty of earth which was presented, until we had taken our fill;..."
(History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 378)
“April17.—This day THE TWELVE blessed and DRANK A BOTTLE OF WINE at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon FORTY YEARS BEFORE.”
(History of the Church, Vol. 4, page 120)
Joseph continues to drink, even while in jail:
“Before the jailor came in, his boy brought in some water, and said the guard wanted some WINE. JOSEPH gave Dr. Richards two dollars to give the guard; but the guard said one was enough, and would take no more. “The guard immediately sent FOR A BOTTLE OF WINE, pipes, and two small papers of tobacco; and one of the guards brought them into the jail soon after the jailor went out. Dr. Richards uncorked the bottle, AND PRESENTED A GLASS TO JOSEPH, WHO TASTED, AS BROTHER TAYLOR AND THE DOCTOR, and the bottle was then given to the guard, who turned to go out.”
(History of the Church, Vol. 6, page 616)
"Sometime after dinner we sent for some WINE. It has been reported by some that this was taken as a sacrament. It was NO SUCH THING; our spirits were generally dull and heavy, and it was sent for to revive us.... I believe we all drank of the WINE, and gave some to one or two of the prison guards."
(John Taylor, in History of the Church, Vol. 7, page 101)
Read more: Did Joseph Smith sell liquor in Nauvoo and install a bar in the Nauvoo Mansion?
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/35895