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Joseph Smith and Alcohol

78 Primary Sources

Did Joseph Smith drink alcohol?

Yes, but probably not habitually^[1] and mostly wine.^[2] He also occasionally drank beer.^[3] Drinking was a common practice in his day (though drinking until drunk was frowned upon).^[4]

Did he drink after the Word of Wisdom was revealed?

Yes. The Word of Wisdom was first revealed on February 27, 1833.^[5] Joseph himself recorded sharing wine with fellow Church members multiple times after that date.^[6]

What’s up with that? The Prophet couldn’t keep the revelation he received?

At the time, the Word of Wisdom was viewed as more of a guideline than a strict code.^[7] The language in Doctrine and Covenants 89 was that it came “not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom” (Doctrine and Covenants 89:2). However, Joseph did teach that willfully neglecting to follow the Word of Wisdom may disqualify members from holding leadership positions, and violation might lead to disciplinary action.^[8]

Weren't early Mormon societies alcohol-free?

No. Early Church communities were temperate^[9] but not completely dry. Nauvoo, for example, had taverns and breweries.^[10] The sale of liquor in the city was regulated but not prohibited.^[11]

Was Joseph a drunkard?

No, probably not. Joseph’s clerk, who saw him daily at the office, swore he never saw him drunk.^[12] Critics accused him of excessive drinking,^[13] but other historical records indicate Joseph was an infrequent and moderate drinker.^[14] Close associates noted Joseph sometimes drank wine at the dinner table.^[15]

What did Joseph Smith think about alcohol?

Joseph Smith seems to have thought wine and other alcoholic drinks as a tool for lifting spirits^[16] and as a symbol for religious communion.^[17]

Was wine used in the sacrament after the Word of Wisdom was revealed?

Yes.^[18] But a revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1830 indicates that it isn't important what is used for the sacrament.^[19]

What about that story where, as a child, Joseph refused liquor for a leg operation?

It could be accurate, or it could be an embellished recollection of Lucy Mack Smith.^[BIO] According to Lucy, Joseph refused brandy or wine as painkillers for the surgery, saying, "I will not touch one particile of liquor."^[20]

This account was recorded decades later^[21] and the details may have been influenced by Lucy's later adoption of the Word of Wisdom.

Related Question

Did Joseph Smith really only have a third-grade education?

Read more in Joseph Smith's Pre-1830 Education

Didn't Joseph Sr. drink excessively at one point?

Possibly. Some sources accused Joseph Sr.^[BIO] of being a "drunkard,"^[22] but other accounts contradict these claims.^[23] However, there is some indication that Joseph Sr. may have had a drinking problem, which is possibly alluded to in the recording of blessings given to his sons.^[24]

Did Joseph Smith and his companions drink wine in Carthage?

Yes. John Taylor^[BIO] said they sent for some.^[25] His account specifies that they didn’t drink it as a sacrament but to lift their spirits.^[26] Willard Richards^[BIO] also recorded that Joseph paid for some wine to be brought to the prisoners.^[27]

When was the Word of Wisdom consistently enforced?

While the Word of Wisdom was taught and emphasized throughout the nineteenth century,^[28] its enforcement didn't really pick up steam until the twentieth century.^[29] Strict adherence to the Word of Wisdom did not become a requirement for temple entry until the 1934 Handbook of Instructions.^[30]

Some People Say . . .

"The 'wine' that Joseph Smith drank was probably just non-alcoholic grape juice, so it's not a big deal."

— overheard in Sunday School

The Facts

Joseph Smith recreationally drank beer and wine, even after the Word of Wisdom was revealed.
The Church communities in Joseph's time were temperate but not alcohol-free.
Enemies of Joseph frequently accused him of being a drunkard, but others contradict this claim.
Joseph Smith's father likely had some kind of a drinking problem.
The Word of Wisdom did not become a requirement for temple entry until the twentieth century.

Our Take

The Word of Wisdom is one of the most visible parts of modern-day discipleship, so it’s odd that the prophet of the Restoration drank alcohol, even in moderation. Was the prophet a hypocrite? Does this mean that the Word of Wisdom doesn't really need to be followed quite as strictly as it's taught today?

The early Saints understood the Word of Wisdom to be a guideline, but they still took it seriously when alcohol was taken to excess. Joseph's critics often accused him of being a drunk, but the historical evidence indicates that Joseph was moderate in his use of beer and wine.

Today, the application of the Word of Wisdom is very different. We shouldn't fault the early Saints for following their understanding of the gospel in their time, but we also shouldn't use it as an excuse to disregard the direction our current leaders give us for our time.

What's Your Take?

Mike
“Its reasonable to think that if moderation were actually feasible for 99.9% of us, perhaps alcohol and other substances would not be an issue for God. But anyone who has been a substance addict knows from experience why God would take issue with it.”
Thomas S
“The unknowable nature of the translation process should not interfere with our understanding and appreciation of the end product. The Book of Mormon is one God’s gifts to us. My only concern might be the general fallibility of man, but Joseph Smith was inspired by God.”
Parker P
“The early Word of Wisdom is strange because it didn't go into effect all the way? Do some commandments start as suggestions? You'd think if God told you "alcohol is bad, use in moderation" that you'd be more correct if you just stopped using it.”
Derek B
“I mean I'd drink if God said it was okay, so go off king. Get your drinks in while you can.”

Read More Difficult Questions

Footnotes

78 Primary Sources

BIOLucy Mack Smith
Lucy Mack Smith (1775-1856) was the mother of Joseph Smith, Jr. Born and raised in New Hampshire, she married Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1796. A faithful Presbyterian and a committed Seeker, Smith believed her son's claims to visions. She stayed with the Latter-day Saints throughout her life until Nauvoo, when age prohibited her from traveling with the Saints to the Intermountain West. She composed and dictated the most thorough history of Joseph Smith's early life which became The History of Joseph Smith By His Mother, transcribed by scribe Martha Coray.
BIOJoseph Smith, Sr.
Joseph Smith, Sr. (1771–1840) was born in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachussetts, to Asael Smith and Mary Duty. He married Lucy Mack Smith in 1796. He was the father of Joseph Smith, Jr. He was one of the eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon and served as the first Patriarch of the Church. He died in Nauvoo, Illinois.
BIOJohn Taylor
John Taylor (1808-1887) was born in Westmorland, England. He was the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He moved to Canada in 1832 and joined the Church four years later. Taylor was soon appointed to the apostleship and became a prominent advocate for Latter-day Saint doctrine during his mission to the United Kingdom. Taylor accompanied Joseph Smith to Carthage Jail in 1844, where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred and he received a bullet wound to the thigh. He served in the apostleship and First Presidency until his appointment to the Presidency in 1880. Taylor oversaw the Church administration as the Church faced sustained prosecution from federal authorities for the practice of polygamy. He died while in hiding from federal authorities in Kaysville at the age of 79.
BIOWillard Richards
Willard Richards (1804-1854) was a physician and one of Joseph Smith's scribes. He later served as first counselor in Brigham Young's First Presidency. He also served as the first editor-in-chief for the Deseret News.
[1]
Various accounts mention Joseph drinking on occasion but rarely mention him drinking until drunk.
[2]
On multiple documented occasions, Joseph Smith drank wine as part of the Lord's Supper (sacrament). He also drank wine socially.
On the day of his martyrdom, Joseph drank wine while incarcerated (to combat the "dull and heavy" mood he and his cellmates were experiencing).
[3]
At least one instance in Joseph's history records him drinking beer, but does not give much more information beyond that.
This was omitted from the History of the Church, even though it had been previously printed in an 1861 Church periodical. It's not clear why it was later omitted, since Joseph's drinking is mentioned several times throughout the volumes.
[4]
W. J. Rorabaugh, an American historian, explained how in Joseph Smith's day, alcohol consumption was nearly universal. He wrote:
By the 1820s whiskey sold for twenty-five cents a gallon, making it cheaper than beer, wine, coffee, tea, or milk. In many places whiskey was also less dangerous than water, which was frequently contaminated. By 1830 consumption of alcohol, mostly in the form of whiskey, had reached more than seven gallons a year for every person over age fifteen or three times the current rate.
One source from 1835 ruled drunkenness as a "vice" and argued for moderate alcohol consumption lest it become "pernicious when taken to an improper excess."
- W. J. Rorabaugh summarizes alcohol consumption between 1770–1830, showing how it rose over time.
- RM argues for temperance, condemns drunkenness as a "vice."
[5]
This revelation was prefaced with the caption "for the benefit of the saints" and was introduced with the following:
A word of wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests assembled in Kirtland, and church; and also the saints in Zion, to be sent greeting: not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom; showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days: given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak, and the weakest of all saints, who are, or can be called saints.
- Joseph Smith receives the revelation often called the "Word of Wisdom."
[6]
There are several instances of this. For example, Joseph recorded in his journal how on March 29, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, he and other Church leaders "partook of the bread and wine. The Holy S[p]irit rested down upon us and we continued in the Lords house all night prophesying and giving glory to God."
Joseph also drank tea and one late source says he smoked a cigar after "preach[ing] a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdom" in order to "[try] the faith of the Saints."
[7]
Historian Thomas G. Alexander explained, "Currently available evidence indicates that members gave only sporadic adherence to the Word of Wisdom in the nineteenth century."
- TGA gives historical overview of WoW during the 19th century.
[8]
One year after the Word of Wisdom was revealed, Joseph taught that "no official member in this church is worthy to hold an office after haveing the words of wisdom properly taught to him, and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with, or obey them."
Elder Almon Babbitt, for instance, had disciplinary charges brought against him for not following the Word of Wisdom, confessing that he "had taken the liberty to break the word of wisdom from the example of President Joseph Smith junr & others, but acknowledged that it was wrong."
Other times it was less clear if charges were for violation of the word of wisdom or if violations were incidental to the offense. For example, Lyman Johnson was also formally charged with "taking whiskey and making Weldon drink & then cheating him out of his property."
[9]
Notes from a meeting of Latter-day Saints in 1837 indicate that the Saints at that time adopted a general boycott against the sale of liquor, tobacco, and other substances prohibited by the Word of Wisdom.
- Vote by church members not to buy liquor, tea, coffee, tobacco.
[10]
A late reminiscence from Joseph's son Joseph III recounted how his father had a tavern in the Nauvoo Mansion until he removed it at Emma's behest.
Joseph also inspected shops selling beer and said he did not object to building a brewery.
[11]
On February 15, 1841, the Nauvoo City Council passed an ordinance that "prohibited from vending Whiskey in a less quantity than a Gallon, or other Spirituous Liquors in a less quantity than a quart, to any Person whatever, excepting on the Recommendation of a Physician duly accredited."
Two years later, another ordinance allowed the mayor (Joseph Smith) to "sell, or give Spirits, of any quantity he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health, comfort or convenience of such travellers or other persons as shall visit his House from time to time."
- Nauvoo temperance ordinance "in Relation to Temperance."
- Nauvoo City ordinance allowing Joseph to sell alcohol.
[12]
In a public statement, Joseph's clerk, William Clayton, asserted that Joseph was "as much opposed to the use of intoxicating drinks as any man need be" and that he had "never seen him drunk, nor [had he] ever heard any man who has seen him drunk" since the Saints settled in Nauvoo.
- William Clayton denies that Joseph ever got drunk in letter to William Hardman.
[13]
Sources saying Smith was a chronic drunkard usually came from detractors and hostile sources.
[14]
Later reminiscences from Joseph's family members and childhood neighbors either deny ever seeing Joseph intoxicated or recall only infrequent, isolated instances.
In 1834, Martin Harris denied claiming that Joseph got drunk during the translation of the Book of Mormon, clarifying that any incident of Joseph's youthful bouts with intoxication "took place before the book of Mormon was translated."
There are records of Joseph Smith Sr. purchasing alcoholic drinks from a local merchant, so it's likely that as a young man, Joseph Jr. and other members of his family did drink alcohol.
[15]
Joseph's close friend Benjamin F. Johnson recalled, "He was partial to a well supplied table and he did not always refuse the wine that 'maketh glad the heart.'"
- BFJ describes JS enjoying wine.
[16]
John Taylor remembered this being the reason why wine was called for at the Carthage Jail, and Alexander McRae reported alcohol being shared with the guards and prisoners at Liberty Jail to calm tense nerves.
- JT recounts drinking wine with DJ at Carthage.
- AM remembers drinking with JS in Liberty Jail.
[17]
An 1831 revelation to Joseph Smith speaks of a future day at the Second Coming when wine will be included in a great banquet.
After he returned from his mission in 1843, Orson Hyde told Joseph of the excellent wine he drank in Jerusalem, and "Joseph prophcid in the name of the Lo[r]d— that he would drink wine with him in that country."
On at least one occasion the Twelve drank wine together in one of their sacrament meetings, and on another occasion, Joseph broke a fast with the Saints with bread and wine.
[18]
Multiple journal entries tell that wine was used in the sacrament in Joseph's day. Revelations from Joseph instructed the Saints to use wine in the sacrament, which matches scripture in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible and the Book of Mormon (e.g., 3 Nephi 18:1–9; 20:1–8; Moroni 5; 6:6).
[19]
This revelation, now section 27 of the Doctrine and Covenants, reads:
It mattereth not what ye <shall> eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory.
- Joseph receives a revelation on sacrament: wine "made new among" Saints to be used.
[20]
This account is preserved in Lucy's 1844–45 history.
- Lucy Mack Smith records in her History that Joseph refused alcohol before his leg surgery.
[21]
Lucy's memoirs were written in 1844–45, and the story she's sharing took place sometime around 1811–12 when the Smith family was living in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
- Lucy Mack Smith records in her History that Joseph refused alcohol before his leg surgery.
[22]
David and Barton Stafford, in a pair of 1833 affidavits, accused Joseph Sr. of being "a drunkard and a liar, and to be much in the habit of gambling" and "a noted drunkard," respectively.
- DS accuses JS Sr. and Jr. both of getting drunk.
- BS accusation reprinted in EDW book that JS got drunk.
[23]
For example, members of the Saunders family remembered seeing Joseph Sr. drink but disavowed that they ever saw him get drunk.
Orlando Saunders, for instance, affirmed, "Every bod[y] drank in those days and the Smith[s] drank also, but they never got drunk."
Benjamin Saunders insisted that "their morals were good. The old man [Joseph Sr.] sometimes would drink until he felt quite happy at our log rollings and raisings: but he was not quarrelsome. He was not a bad man. would attend regularly to his business."
When asked specifically if he ever saw either Joseph Sr. or Jr. get drunk, Benjamin answered he had not.
- Orlando Saunders remembers Smith family drinking alcohol in letter to William Kelley.
- BS says JS never got drunk.
[24]
The relevant part of the blessing reads:
Thou hast stood by thy father, and like Shem, would have covered his nakedness, rather than see him exposed to shame: when the daughters of the Gentiles laughed, thy heart has been moved with a just anger to avenge thy kindred.
The imagery comes from the account of Noah's sons covering their father's nakedness when he was passed out drunk in his tent (Genesis 9:18-27). It may be an allusion to Joseph Sr.'s past drinking problems, or it could simply be a scriptural example of a son caring for his vulnerable father.
A more explicit reference appears in a blessing Joseph Sr. gave to Hyrum on the same day as the blessing he gave to Joseph Jr.:
Thou hast loved thy father’s family with a pure love, and hast greatly desired their salvation: Thou has always stood by thy father, and reached forth the helping hand to lift him up when he was in affliction; and though he has been out of the way, through wine, thou has never forsaken him nor laughed him to scorn: for all these kindnesses the Lord my God will bless thee.
- JS Sr. blesses JS. Jr, possibly alludes to alcohol problem.
- Joseph Smith Sr. blesses Hyrum Smith; mentions being out of the way "through wine."
[25]
Taylor recorded wine being consumed in Carthage Jail on at least two occasions.
- JT recounts drinking wine with DJ at Carthage.
- Taylor remembers wine being sent for in Carthage Jail.
[26]
In one of his accounts of the martyrdom, Taylor addressed a claim that was apparently circulating among members of the Church:
It has been reported, by some; that this [the wine] 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.
- JT recounts drinking wine with DJ at Carthage.
[27]
Richards, unlike Taylor, did not explain the motive behind purchasing the wine.
- JS drinks wine in Carthage Jail.
[28]
For example, in 1834, Joseph Smith noted that members needed to follow the Word of Wisdom.
And in the 1852 meeting minutes for General Conference, John Smith spoke of the Word of Wisdom, "urging on the brethren to leave off using tobacco, &c." In that same meeting, Brigham Young said, "the Lord bears with our weakness; we must serve the Lord, and those who go with me will keep the Word of Wisdom."
At other times, there were disciplinary actions taken for breaking the Word of Wisdom.
[29]
General authorities continued to discuss and debate the meaning of the Word of Wisdom at the turn of the twentieth century.
For example, Anthon H. Lund recorded a meeting with the Twelve that determined "Danish Beer was not detrimental."
John Henry Smith is reported to have said, "The Word of Wisdom gave the liberty to make mild drinks of barley."
At another meeting recorded by Lund, George Teasdale declared that "Pork was more against the Word of Wisdom than tea and coffee." Lund himself was still drinking coffee in 1910.
[30]
In 1919, a First Presidency letter to mission presidents stated missionaries must "keep the Word of Wisdom" to receive a temple recommend.
However, the 1928 Handbook of Instructions did not mention the Word of Wisdom in its section on temple recommends. This changed in the next edition (1934).