Temperance Movement and The Word of Wisdom

[scottie]

I'd never heard about the Temperance Movement and that it existed before the WOW. Here's a short essay about it:

http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/26/...ord-of-wisdom/

Some things I found somewhat interesting:

In 1826 Marcus Morton had founded the American Temperance Society June, 1830, the Millenial Harbinger quoted in full, and with the hearty personal endorsement of Alexander Campbell, an article from the Philadelphia “Journal of Health,” The above in turn was quoting a widely circulated book, “The Simplicity of Health,” which article most strongly condemned the use of alcohol, tobacco, the eating intemperately of meats.

Temperance Societies were organized in great numbers during the early thirties, six thousand being formed in one year

The Temperance Society succeeded in eliminating a distillery in Kirtland on February 1, 1833, just twenty-seven days before the Latter-day Saint revelation counseling abstinence was announced, and that the distillery at Mentor, near Kirtland, was also closed at the same time (Brigham Young University Studies, Winter 1959, pp.39-40).

Joseph tested the saints to make sure their testimonies were of his religion and not of him as a personable leader. Amasa Lyman of the first Presidency related Joseph Smith trying the faith of the saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time he had preached a powerful sermon on the word of wisdom and immediately thereafter he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. http://patriot.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/docu...&CISOSHOW=3264 (that link doesn't seem to work)

[ewth8tr]

Thanks for posting this, I guess everyone else either knew it, or didn't find it interesting, but I thought it was interesting

I found the correct link that they should have used for that Joseph smoking a cigar reference. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/u?/MTGM,3264

[Fiyero]

Ah, so that's why the seminary teacher slept with so many students after preaching chastity.

[scottie]

Thanks for posting this, I guess everyone else either knew it, or didn't find it interesting, but I thought it was interesting

I found the correct link that they should have used for that Joseph smoking a cigar reference. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/u?/MTGM,3264

Good job finding that link ewth8tr. Interesting stuff:

Joseph tested the Saints to make sure their testimonies were of his religion and not of him as a personable leader. Amasa Lyman, of the First Presidency, related:

Joseph Smith tried the faith of the Saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time, he had preached a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdowm, and immediately thereafter, he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. Some of the brethren were tried as was Abraham of old.

Jedediah M. Grant, in speaking of this, said:

What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph asked him for his money? He would say, 'Yes, and I wish I had more to help to build up the kingdom of God.' Or if he came and said, 'I want your wife?' 'O yes,' he would say, 'here she is, there are plenty more . . . .'

Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for? He did not, but in that thing was the grand thread of the Priesthood developed. The grand object in view was to try the people of God, to see what was in them . . . If ever you are brought into the presence of God, and exalted to a seat in His Celestial Kingdom, it will be by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, therefore you have got to be proved, not only by being tempted by the devil, but the Priesthood will try you - it will try you to the core.

[scottie]

According to a statement by Lorenzo Snow, Emma Smith tried to poison her husband after he began announcing the revelation on plural marriage. Hyrum read the revelation to her first and she begged Joseph to let her have the written revelation. He gave her a duplicate copy of the original and let her burn it.

___

[Indy Coug]

Out of curiosity, what is the full text of Lorenzo Snow's statement?

[BlueHair]

It was a struggle for me to believe the Word of Wisdom came from God. The God of the bible doesn't seem like a guy that "suggests" things. Even if he did suggest that we abstain from alcohol, tea, tobacco, and excess meat, it doesn't make sense that Joseph would blow it off. In my book a suggestion from God would carry more weight than a law from man. Joseph riding around town with a cigar after God suggested he abstain, just doesn't seem realistic.

[Colly Wolly]

Good job finding that link ewth8tr. Interesting stuff:

Jedediah M. Grant, in speaking of this, said:

Quote:
What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph asked him for his money? He would say, 'Yes, and I wish I had more to help to build up the kingdom of God.' Or if he came and said, 'I want your wife?' 'O yes,' he would say, 'here she is, there are plenty more . . . .'

Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for? He did not, but in that thing was the grand thread of the Priesthood developed. The grand object in view was to try the people of God, to see what was in them . . . If ever you are brought into the presence of God, and exalted to a seat in His Celestial Kingdom, it will be by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, therefore you have got to be proved, not only by being tempted by the devil, but the Priesthood will try you - it will try you to the core.

That's some Jim Jones type shit right there.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Good job finding that link ewth8tr. Interesting stuff:

Quote:
Joseph tested the Saints to make sure their testimonies were of his religion and not of him as a personable leader. Amasa Lyman, of the First Presidency, related:

Quote:
Joseph Smith tried the faith of the Saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time, he had preached a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdowm, and immediately thereafter, he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. Some of the brethren were tried as was Abraham of old.

Jedediah M. Grant, in speaking of this, said:

Quote:
What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph asked him for his money? He would say, 'Yes, and I wish I had more to help to build up the kingdom of God.' Or if he came and said, 'I want your wife?' 'O yes,' he would say, 'here she is, there are plenty more . . . .'

Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for? He did not, but in that thing was the grand thread of the Priesthood developed. The grand object in view was to try the people of God, to see what was in them . . . If ever you are brought into the presence of God, and exalted to a seat in His Celestial Kingdom, it will be by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, therefore you have got to be proved, not only by being tempted by the devil, but the Priesthood will try you - it will try you to the core. .

That's some Jim Jones type shit right there.

i was thinking of an Obi-wan reverse jedi mind trick.

[Colly Wolly]

i was thinking of an Obi-wan reverse jedi mind trick.

My dad got me Rough Stone Rolling two birthdays ago. I need to get around to reading it. Unfortunately, it's atleast behing Blackhawk Down and probably others in the "to read" qeue.

[scottie]

From pages 160-161...

Joseph, in desiring to have good leadership over the Church after his eventual death, tested the character and loyalty of his key men to find out what was in them. Joseph tested Heber C. Kimball, for example, by requesting that he give Joseph his wife to him in plural marriage. Kimball's daughter relates her father's struggle in the following account:

Three days he fasted and wept and prayed. Then, with a broken and a bleeding heart, but with soul self-mastered for the sacrifice, he led his darling wife to the Prophet's house and presented her to Joseph.

It was enough - the heavens accepted the sacrifice. Joseph wept at this proof of devotion, and told him that was all the Lord required. He had proved him, as a child of Abraham, that he would 'do the works of Abraham,' holding back nothing, but laying all upon the alter for God's glory.

The Prophet found one occasion to test Brigham Young. Lorenzo Snow related:

William Smith, one of the Apostles, had been guilty of adultry and many other sins. Joseph instructed Brigham to prefer a charge against his brother. Before the time set for the trial, Emma talked to Joseph and said the charges preferred against William would injure the Smith family and the Church image. After the trial had begun, Joseph entered the room and was given a seat. The testimony of witnesses concerning William were heard. After a short time, Joseph arose and said, 'Brother Brigham, I will not listen to this abuse of my family a minute longer, I will wade in blood up to my knees before I will do it.' A rupture between the two men seemed imminent, but Brigham proved his loyalty to his superior and said, 'Brother Joseph, I withdraw the charge.'

[Indy Coug]

Given the extreme trials and circumstances of the times, I can understand why Joseph (or the Lord) went to such extreme circumstances to test their faithfulness.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Given the extreme trials and circumstances of the times, I can understand why Joseph (or the Lord) went to such extreme circumstances to test their faithfulness.

Seems more like a cat playing with a mouse to me.

[JohnnyLingo]

Seems more like a cat playing with a mouse to me.

Perspective of one who doesn't believe.

Indy's is one who does believe.

There will be differences.

[ERCougar]

I hate that story about Heber C Kimball and his wife. I first heard that in seminary or something and it's always bugged me. You don't mess with people like that.

Of course, I guess I could say the same thing about God messing with Abraham. I don't really like that story either.