I don't know if Joseph actually sold liquor himself. It is quite possible that he did in his general store. He did allow Orin Porter Rockwell to open a bar in the Nauvoo Mansion. Joseph did this to give Rockwell a way of earning a living after he had escaped from his imprisonment in Missouri. The bar did not last too long though. Joseph's wife, Emma, didn't like it. However, before people start shouting about hypocrisy in this matter, you really need to understand a bit more about the historical context. For this, see my answer to the following question: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/35890

Glenn is right, however I'd like to add that it's my understanding that a city ordinance was enacted against 'hard liquor' in Nauvoo. Beer and other milder alcohol drinks were distilled which were safer to drink than water if not boiled. The Mississippi like other larger rivers also served at times as a dump in the 1800s. Much of Nauvoo was in a swampy low land that required the saints to drain. Many early members died during the early inhabiting of Nauvoo from those conditions and the Smith family homestead and yard was used to care for the ill. Theodore Turley also had a distillery in Nauvoo not far from the Smith properties. I myself don't agree with drinking alcohol and have never done so. (RLDS)

Yes. So?

SHORT ANSWER: Yes. LONG ANSWER: This is one of the best documented episodes in Mormon History. ABOUT THE BAR ITSELF From Joseph Smith III: "About 1842, a new and larger house was built for us.... Father proceeded to build an extensive addition running out from the south wing toward the east.... “At any rate, it seemed spacious then, and a sign was put out giving it the dignified name of 'The Nauvoo Mansion,'... Mother was to be installed as landlady, and soon made a trip to Saint Louis.. “When she returned Mother found installed in the keeping - room of the hotel—that is to say, the main room where the guests assembled and where they were received upon arrival—A BAR, with counter, shelves, bottles, glasses, and other paraphernalia customary for a FULLY -EQUIPPED TAVERN BAR, and Porter Rockwell in charge as tender. “She was very much surprised and disturbedRockwell.jpg (7674 bytes) over this arrangement, but said nothing for a while...she asked me where Father was. I told her he was in the front room... Then she told me to go and tell him she wished to see him. I obeyed, and returned with him to the hall where Mother awaited him. 'Joseph,' she asked, 'What is the meaning of THAT BAR IN THIS HOUSE?'... 'How does it look,' she asked, 'for the spiritual head of a religious body to be keeping a hotel in which is a room fitted out as a LIQUOR-SELLING ESTABLISHMENT?' “He reminded her that all taverns had their BARS at which liquor was sold or dispensed..“Mother's reply came emphatically clear, though uttered quietly: “'Well, Joseph,... I will take my children and go across to the old house and stay there, for I will not have them raised up under such conditions as this arrangement imposes upon us, nor have them mingle with the kind of men who frequent such a place. You are at liberty to make your choice; EITHER THAT BAR GOES OUT OF THE HOUSE, OR WE WILL!' “It did not take Father long to make the choice, for he replied immediately, 'Very well, Emma; I will have it removed at once'—and he did"' (Joseph Smith's own son, in The Saints' Herald, Jan. 22, 1935, page 110) From the Mormon History Association 2004 Book Review of Glen M. Leonard's book, "Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise" "Issues that presently are sensitive to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are smoothed over in the narrative, and solutions are found where debate still reigns in the historical community. For instance, Leonard points to attempts to control liquor by the drink in Nauvoo but neglects to mention that the early laws were primarily concerned with "hard" liquor, that consumption of beer, ale, and wine was common among the Saints, that Smith gave permission to Theodore Turley to build a brewery next to the Mansion House and allowed Orrin Porter Rockwell to install a bar in the Mansion House, that laws became less restrictive over time, and that in December 1843 the city council authorized Smith to sell spirits in his house in any quantities he thought wise. By 1844 anyone who could afford the expensive license could sell liquor by the drink." http://www.mhahome.org/pubs/book_reviews.php ON JOSEPH SMITH'S DRINKING And since everyone is dancing around the issue of Joseph Smith's well documented fondness for liquor: Joseph Smith, authorizing himself to sell liquor: "Ordinance on the Personal Sale of Liquors. Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Nauvoo, that the Mayor of the city be and is hereby authorized to sell or give spirits of any quantity as he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health and comfort, or convenience of such travelers or other persons as shall visit his house from time to time.Passed December 12, 1843.JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor. WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder." (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 111) Brother Joseph, enjoying the fruits of the vine and the grains of the field: "Called at the office and DRANK A GLASS OF WINE with Sister Jenetta Richards, made by her mother in England, and reviewed a portion of the conference minutes.” (History of the Church,Vol. 5, p. 380) “We then partook of some refreshments, and OUR HEARTS WERE MADE GLAD WITH THE FRUIT OF THE VINE.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 369) "Elders Orson Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, and Warren Parrish, then presented the Presidency with three servers of glasses filled with WINE to bless. And it fell to my lot to attend to this duty, which I cheerfully discharged. It was then passed round in order, then the cake in the same order; and suffice it to say, OUR HEARTS WERE MADE GLAD while partaking of the bounty of earth which was presented, until we had taken our fill;..." (History of the Church, Vol. 2, p. 378) “April17.—This day THE TWELVE blessed and DRANK A BOTTLE OF WINE at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon FORTY YEARS BEFORE.” (History of the Church, Vol. 4, page 120) Joseph continues to drink, even while in jail: “Before the jailor came in, his boy brought in some water, and said the guard wanted some WINE. JOSEPH gave Dr. Richards two dollars to give the guard; but the guard said one was enough, and would take no more. “The guard immediately sent FOR A BOTTLE OF WINE, pipes, and two small papers of tobacco; and one of the guards brought them into the jail soon after the jailor went out. Dr. Richards uncorked the bottle, AND PRESENTED A GLASS TO JOSEPH, WHO TASTED, AS BROTHER TAYLOR AND THE DOCTOR, and the bottle was then given to the guard, who turned to go out.” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, page 616) "Sometime after dinner we sent for some WINE. It has been reported by some that this 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.... I believe we all drank of the WINE, and gave some to one or two of the prison guards." (John Taylor, in History of the Church, Vol. 7, page 101)

Yes. And the Marriott family has followed his example throughout the history of their Hotel chain.