- NEW!
by Glenn Blaylock on November 12th, 2005
I don't know for certain on this one, but it is possible. To understand why this possibility doesn't disturb me you need a bit of historical perspective. When the revelation that we call the Word of Wisdom (http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/89) was first given, it was not given as a commandment, but as advise. It took several generations of encouragement to live according to this standard before it became a commandment. So, in Brigham Young's days the consumption of alcohol and tobacco were acceptable among the general population of the Church.
Also, during the early days of colonization in Utah (particularly prior to the coming of the railroad) there was a push for the Saints to be as independent as possible from outside suppliers of goods. Goods had to be shipped in by wagon train and were, therefore, expensive. Additionally, because of the various persecutions that they had experienced at the hands of others, there was a general distrust of outsiders and a fear that if they came to be too dependent on them for supplies, then enemies of the Church could cause the Saints economic problems by shutting off the supplies.
So, under these circumstances, it would make since for the Saints to want to produce their own tobacco and liquor. There were still lots of members that used these things at the time, it would be cheaper to produce locally than to buy it from outside sources, would provide additional jobs, and would provide one more commodity to sell to passing wagon trains.
I'm really hungry, but I ate breakfast. How can this be?????
by Mister_Bromide on July 7th, 2011
| 5 people like this
LDS It has been proven that caffeine is actually good for your health. Why has your god not recanted the Word of Wisdom on hot drinks?
by Joseph Smith was a fraud and Eisegete on January 26th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
Wilford Woodruff diary: "...forced abstainance was not making us free but we should be under bondage with a yoak upon our necks." Thoughts?
by Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here on May 22nd, 2010
| 1 person likes this
when i drink all the tea, how was it made in the first place? im stil thirstY!
by pearloaf is not yelling and dreams of bal on January 23rd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Why do non-Mormons keep on suggesting that Mormons do not eat tinned food. True, Joseph Smith didn't eat timmed food, but then again, there wasn't much tinned food around when he was with us.
by Latter Day Spaceball on April 7th, 2008
| 6 people like this
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by Anonymous on November 26th, 2005