Early Church Discipline Systems (1830s–1840s)
In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, disciplinary systems were far simpler than today. During the 1830s and 1840s, church members were either “in fellowship” or “cut off.” There were no formal stages such as probation or disfellowshipment. Because of this, individuals could be excommunicated and later reinstated far more easily than in modern practice.
Early Practice of the Word of Wisdom (1830s–1840s)
Doctrine and Covenants 89 was originally revealed in February 1833 and was described as given “not by commandment or constraint.” Early Latter-day Saints interpreted the Word of Wisdom within the context of temperance culture, which emphasized moderation rather than total abstinence. As a result:
- Moderate drinking was generally acceptable.
- Drunkenness was consistently condemned.
- Drinking tea and coffee was common.
- Smoking and chewing tobacco were frequently practiced except in sacred settings (such as the School of the Prophets).
In the Joseph Smith period, people could be cut off from the church for habitual drunkenness, though rarely for moderate consumption. Church discipline regarding the Word of Wisdom focused almost entirely on excessive or public drunkenness, not on the presence of alcohol, tea, or tobacco in personal life.
Hyrum Smith and Early Advocacy
Hyrum Smith was one of the strongest early advocates of a stricter interpretation of the Word of Wisdom. He delivered a published sermon in Times and Seasons urging Saints to view the revelation as binding and to abstain more fully. His strictness was influential but not universally adopted during Joseph Smith’s lifetime.
Joseph Smith’s Own Practice
Historical sources document that Joseph Smith himself consumed:
- Alcohol on various recorded occasions.
- Tea, including an entry in his 1843 journal stating that he drank tea at breakfast.
- Beer, including an 1844 journal entry mentioning drinking beer at Mosher’s Tavern.
These practices are consistent with the early understanding of the Word of Wisdom as a principle of moderation, not a strict abstinence law. They were not considered violations in his time.
Use of Wine in Sacrament Meetings
Throughout the 1830s and 1840s, the Saints continued to use fermented wine in the sacrament. Doctrine and Covenants 27 (1830) allowed any suitable liquid, but wine remained the preferred element well into the 19th century.
Word of Wisdom in Nauvoo and Carthage
Contemporary accounts—including John Taylor’s 1854 account of the martyrdom—record that Joseph and those imprisoned in Carthage requested wine shortly before the attack. Taylor emphasized that it was not taken as a sacrament, clarifying a misconception that arose among later church members.
Development in Utah (1850s–1880s)
After the Saints reached Utah, church leaders increasingly emphasized the spiritual significance of the Word of Wisdom.
Brigham Young Sermons
Several sermons show the evolving expectations:
- 1859: Brigham Young counseled the Saints strongly against drunkenness, stating that habitual drunkards should be cut off from the church.
- 1867: In a sermon in Tooele, he directly connected “hot drinks” with tea and coffee, responding to Saints who argued that the revelation did not name them explicitly.
- 1869 (Nephi, Utah): Brigham Young declared that he required all members under age 100 to stop using tobacco and whiskey, and stated that if they refused to stop, the Word of Wisdom would become “a test of fellowship.”
By the late 19th century, abstinence was increasingly encouraged, and leaders discouraged calling or sustaining individuals in church positions if they habitually ignored the Word of Wisdom.
Joseph F. Smith Era (Early 20th Century)
President Joseph F. Smith urged members to obey the Word of Wisdom but occasionally allowed exceptions for older members who had used coffee or tea throughout their lives. This reflects the transitional nature of the standard during his presidency.
Codifying the Commandment (1920s–1930s)
The Word of Wisdom became a formal commandment and a temple recommend requirement during the administration of Heber J. Grant.
- 1921: The First Presidency officially required full abstinence (alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee) for temple attendance.
- 1933: The Church Handbook of Instructions explicitly stated that members seeking temple recommends must “keep the Word of Wisdom.”
From this point forward, full adherence became a permanent requirement for Latter-day Saint temple worship and full fellowship.
Modern Clarifications (21st Century)
The Church has continued to provide guidance as new substances appear.
Prohibited since 2019
- Vaping and e-cigarettes
- Green tea
- Coffee-based beverages
- Marijuana (except by prescription)
- Misuse of opioids
This demonstrates the ongoing pattern: the Word of Wisdom continues to be interpreted by living prophets.
Early Vision in the School of the Prophets (1833)
Shortly after the Saints began observing the Word of Wisdom in the School of the Prophets, multiple participants recorded a shared visionary experience.
- Zebedee Coltrin and John Murdock reported visions in which the Savior appeared.
- Coltrin also recounted a second appearance, described as the Father enveloped in brilliant fire.
- The meeting minutes of March 18, 1833, recorded that Joseph Smith promised the elders a heavenly manifestation and that “many of the brethren saw the Savior.”
These accounts belong to early Latter-day Saint visionary history and are directly tied to observance of the Word of Wisdom.
References
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/word-of-wisdom
https://www.britannica.com/topic/temperance-movement
https://app20602.cloudwayssites.com/word-of-wisdom-part-1/