![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(format) |
|||
Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
===Claims made in Chapter 18: Word of Wisdom=== | ===Claims made in Chapter 18: Word of Wisdom=== | ||
− | + | ||
− | |||
====468==== | ====468==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*The admonition not to eat meat is mostly ignored by the Church. | *The admonition not to eat meat is mostly ignored by the Church. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{MindReading}}: the authors have not explained how they understand "sparingly," and how they would assess this in individual's lives. Do they have any statistics? Studies? Or just a "gut feeling"? | * {{MindReading}}: the authors have not explained how they understand "sparingly," and how they would assess this in individual's lives. Do they have any statistics? Studies? Or just a "gut feeling"? | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom/Eat meat sparingly|Eat meat sparingly]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Eat meat sparingly|Eat meat sparingly]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*John J. Stewart, ''Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet'', p.90 | *John J. Stewart, ''Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet'', p.90 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
====469==== | ====469==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Joseph Fielding Smith said that drinking tea can bar a person from the Celestial Kingdom. | *Joseph Fielding Smith said that drinking tea can bar a person from the Celestial Kingdom. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
*{{InternalContradiction|the authors are impossible to satisfy. Strict consequences for the Word of Wisdom are critiqued, but they later expected us to be shocked and trouble because Joseph had tea. There is no effort to help readers understand these matters—the authors' efforts are all dedicated to the search for scandal.}} | *{{InternalContradiction|the authors are impossible to satisfy. Strict consequences for the Word of Wisdom are critiqued, but they later expected us to be shocked and trouble because Joseph had tea. There is no effort to help readers understand these matters—the authors' efforts are all dedicated to the search for scandal.}} | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom/Tea prevent exaltation|Tea: keep you out of the celestial kingdom?]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Tea prevent exaltation|Tea: keep you out of the celestial kingdom?]] | ||
* Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | * Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*Doctrines of Salvation 2:16 | *Doctrines of Salvation 2:16 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====469-470==== | ====469-470==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Church members feel that Joseph "carefully observed" the Word of Wisdom. Joseph wouldn't be able to get a temple recommend today. | *Church members feel that Joseph "carefully observed" the Word of Wisdom. Joseph wouldn't be able to get a temple recommend today. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: the requirements of the Word of Wisdom were different in Joseph's day than in the 20th century. The authors hope their audience will be shocked by this, and do nothing to explain the differences in application of the Word of Wisdom. | * {{Presentism}}: the requirements of the Word of Wisdom were different in Joseph's day than in the 20th century. The authors hope their audience will be shocked by this, and do nothing to explain the differences in application of the Word of Wisdom. | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom]] | * [[Word of Wisdom]] | ||
* Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | * Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*John J. Stewart, ''Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet'', p.90 | *John J. Stewart, ''Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet'', p.90 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
====470==== | ====470==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Joseph sometimes drank wine. | *Joseph sometimes drank wine. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: in Joseph's day, wine was not forbidden by the Word of Wisdom, especially if used in a medicinal sense. | * {{Presentism}}: in Joseph's day, wine was not forbidden by the Word of Wisdom, especially if used in a medicinal sense. | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom]] | * [[Word of Wisdom]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*''History of the Church'' 2:369 | *''History of the Church'' 2:369 | ||
*''History of the Church'' 2:378 | *''History of the Church'' 2:378 | ||
*''History of the Church'' 6:616 | *''History of the Church'' 6:616 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
====470==== | ====470==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Joseph smoked a cigar. | *Joseph smoked a cigar. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* [[Word of Wisdom]] | * [[Word of Wisdom]] | ||
* Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | * Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*"Joseph Smith As An Administrator," M.A. thesis, Brigham Young University, May 1969, p.161 | *"Joseph Smith As An Administrator," M.A. thesis, Brigham Young University, May 1969, p.161 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====471==== | ====471==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
{{AuthorQuote|In one instance, Joseph Smith asked "Brother Markam" to get "a pipe and some tobacco" for Apostle Willard Richards. These words have been replaced with the word "medicine" in recent printings of the History of the Church. | {{AuthorQuote|In one instance, Joseph Smith asked "Brother Markam" to get "a pipe and some tobacco" for Apostle Willard Richards. These words have been replaced with the word "medicine" in recent printings of the History of the Church. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Line 80: | Line 78: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
In the third instance, Joseph Smith frankly admitted that he "drank a glass of beer at Moessers." These words have been omitted in recent printings of the History of the Church.}} | In the third instance, Joseph Smith frankly admitted that he "drank a glass of beer at Moessers." These words have been omitted in recent printings of the History of the Church.}} | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: strange is it is for modern readers, people in Joseph Smith's day sometimes regarded tobacco as a medicinal substance. | * {{Presentism}}: strange is it is for modern readers, people in Joseph Smith's day sometimes regarded tobacco as a medicinal substance. | ||
* See also [[The_Changing_World_of_Mormonism/Index/Chapter_2#33|p. 33]] for the Tanner's further exploitation of this presentism. | * See also [[The_Changing_World_of_Mormonism/Index/Chapter_2#33|p. 33]] for the Tanner's further exploitation of this presentism. | ||
* Beer was not forbidden by the 19th century application of the Word of Wisdom, and moderation with alcohol was the general standard. | * Beer was not forbidden by the 19th century application of the Word of Wisdom, and moderation with alcohol was the general standard. | ||
* Whiskey could also be used medicinally. | * Whiskey could also be used medicinally. | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*''Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star'', vol. 23, page 720. (Reference to beer) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol.6, p.424. | *''Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star'', vol. 23, page 720. (Reference to beer) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol.6, p.424. | ||
*''Millennial Star'', vol. 21, p.283. (Reference to whiskey) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol. 5, p.450. | *''Millennial Star'', vol. 21, p.283. (Reference to whiskey) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol. 5, p.450. | ||
*''Millennial Star'', vol. 24, p.471 (reference to the pipe and tobacco) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol. 6, p.614. | *''Millennial Star'', vol. 24, p.471 (reference to the pipe and tobacco) compared to ''History of the Church'', vol. 6, p.614. | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====471==== | ====471==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Joseph wrote in his diary that he had tea with breakfast. Joseph prophesied that he would drink wine with Orson Hyde in the east. | *Joseph wrote in his diary that he had tea with breakfast. Joseph prophesied that he would drink wine with Orson Hyde in the east. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: wine was not forbidden by the Word of Wisdom in Joseph's day. | * {{Presentism}}: wine was not forbidden by the Word of Wisdom in Joseph's day. | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Joseph_Smith/Prophecies/Joseph_and_Orson_Hyde_to_drink_of_wine_in_Palestine|Drinking wine in Palestine]] |
* {{Presentism}}: In consulting the journal entry, we read: "Saturday, March 11th Too cold last night as to freeze [p.332] water in the warmest rooms in the city. River filled with anchor ice. 8 1/2 o'clock in the office, Joseph said he had tea with his breakfast."{{ref|faulring.1}} In Joseph's day, medical thinking held that "hot drinks" (such as tea and coffee) could heat the body and vital fluids to prevent illness. As a physician, Willard Richards (who wrote Joseph's journal for him) would have known this. | * {{Presentism}}: In consulting the journal entry, we read: "Saturday, March 11th Too cold last night as to freeze [p.332] water in the warmest rooms in the city. River filled with anchor ice. 8 1/2 o'clock in the office, Joseph said he had tea with his breakfast."{{ref|faulring.1}} In Joseph's day, medical thinking held that "hot drinks" (such as tea and coffee) could heat the body and vital fluids to prevent illness. As a physician, Willard Richards (who wrote Joseph's journal for him) would have known this. | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith used tea|Joseph used tea?]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith used tea|Joseph used tea?]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*Joseph Smith Diary, March 11, 1843 | *Joseph Smith Diary, March 11, 1843 | ||
*Joseph Smith Diary, January 20, 1843 | *Joseph Smith Diary, January 20, 1843 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====472==== | ====472==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*George A. Smith reported that some church members left the church after finding that their leaders drank tea and coffee. | *George A. Smith reported that some church members left the church after finding that their leaders drank tea and coffee. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: The authors count on their readers not understanding the historical context. George A. Smith obviously believes that those who apostatized on this issue are being foolish. His statement helps us see why. | * {{Presentism}}: The authors count on their readers not understanding the historical context. George A. Smith obviously believes that those who apostatized on this issue are being foolish. His statement helps us see why. | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith used tea#George A. Smith account|Tea: George A. Smith account]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith used tea#George A. Smith account|Tea: George A. Smith account]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*{{JDfairwiki|author=George A. Smith|disc=35|vol=2|start=214}} | *{{JDfairwiki|author=George A. Smith|disc=35|vol=2|start=214}} | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====472==== | ====472==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Almon W. Babbitt was brought to church trial for breaking the Word of Wisdom, but he said that he was following Joseph's example. | *Almon W. Babbitt was brought to church trial for breaking the Word of Wisdom, but he said that he was following Joseph's example. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* [[Word of Wisdom/Almon Babbitt followed Joseph|Almon Babbitt followed Joseph]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Almon Babbitt followed Joseph|Almon Babbitt followed Joseph]] | ||
* Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | * Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*''History of the Church'' 2:252 | *''History of the Church'' 2:252 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====472-473==== | ====472-473==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo. | *Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo|Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo|Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*''History of the Church'' 6:111 | *''History of the Church'' 6:111 | ||
*''The Saints' Herald'', January 22, 1935, p.110 | *''The Saints' Herald'', January 22, 1935, p.110 | ||
*"Journal of Oliver B. Huntington," typed copy at Utah State Historical Society, vol. 2, p.166" | *"Journal of Oliver B. Huntington," typed copy at Utah State Historical Society, vol. 2, p.166" | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
====474==== | ====474==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
* Brigham Young chewed tobacco for many years. | * Brigham Young chewed tobacco for many years. | ||
* Brigham Young broke the Word of Wisdom by taking "snuff and tea." | * Brigham Young broke the Word of Wisdom by taking "snuff and tea." | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: the Word of Wisdom was observed differently in the nineteenth century | * {{Presentism}}: the Word of Wisdom was observed differently in the nineteenth century | ||
* {{HistoricalError}}: Brigham reported that his use was medicinal. | * {{HistoricalError}}: Brigham reported that his use was medicinal. | ||
* [[Word of Wisdom/Brigham Young and tobacco|Brigham Young and tobacco]] | * [[Word of Wisdom/Brigham Young and tobacco|Brigham Young and tobacco]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*The authors list ''Journal of Discourses'', vol. 12, p.404. There is no page 404—it should be page 29) | *The authors list ''Journal of Discourses'', vol. 12, p.404. There is no page 404—it should be page 29) | ||
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=9|vol=12|start=29}} | *{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=9|vol=12|start=29}} | ||
*''On The Mormon Frontier'', vol. 1, p.75 | *''On The Mormon Frontier'', vol. 1, p.75 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
====474==== | ====474==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Brigham Young told Church members to "make beer as a drink" and sponsored a bar in Salt Lake City. | *Brigham Young told Church members to "make beer as a drink" and sponsored a bar in Salt Lake City. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
* {{Presentism}}: beer was not forbidden under the 19th century application of the Word of Wisdom; it was a "mild drink." | * {{Presentism}}: beer was not forbidden under the 19th century application of the Word of Wisdom; it was a "mild drink." | ||
* Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | * Michael R. Ash, "Up In Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," FAIR Conference, 2000. {{link|url=http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Conferences/2000_Up_in_Smoke.html}} | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*John D. Lee, p. 116 | *John D. Lee, p. 116 | ||
*Herbert Howe Bancroft, ''History of Utah'', p.540, footnote 44 | *Herbert Howe Bancroft, ''History of Utah'', p.540, footnote 44 | ||
− | + | }} | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
====475==== | ====475==== | ||
− | | | + | {{IndexClaim |
+ | |claim= | ||
*Brigham built a whiskey distillery. | *Brigham built a whiskey distillery. | ||
− | | | + | |response= |
*{{Presentism}} | *{{Presentism}} | ||
*{{SourceDistortion}} | *{{SourceDistortion}} | ||
*Brigham stated that the distillery was needed for "rational purposes". | *Brigham stated that the distillery was needed for "rational purposes". | ||
*[[Word of Wisdom/Brigham Young's whiskey distillery|Brigham Young's whiskey distillery]] | *[[Word of Wisdom/Brigham Young's whiskey distillery|Brigham Young's whiskey distillery]] | ||
− | | | + | |authorsources= |
*{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=42|vol=10|start=206}} | *{{JDfairwiki|author=Brigham Young|disc=42|vol=10|start=206}} | ||
− | + | }} | |
==Endnotes== | ==Endnotes== | ||
#{{note|faulring.1}} {{AmericanProphetsRecord| pages=331, entry for Saturday, 11 March 1843}} | #{{note|faulring.1}} {{AmericanProphetsRecord| pages=331, entry for Saturday, 11 March 1843}} |
Chapter 17 | A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Jerald and Sandra Tanner
|
Chapter 19 |
Author's source(s)
Response
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now