The Mormon religion has been clouded by controversy and ambiguity since its beginning in 1830. Though many of their beliefs have shifted and have been modified for the 21st century, looking back at original Mormon texts can be quite entertaining. Within the mass of Mormon texts and history, I found a few quotes and events that are especially intriguing. With the various denominations and differing analyses on Mormon doctrine, I in no way claim that these beliefs reflect every Mormon. I am simply gathering information from texts and historical events for interesting trivia.
1. No Tobacco, Alcohol, or Hot Beverages
Enjoy hot beverages? How about spending an eternity in the lake of fire? Who knew that a damn fine cup of coffee could damn you! Well, according to Joseph Smith’s Doctrine and Covenants, the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and hot beverages is to be strictly avoided. Section 89 states:
…as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of you Father…tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man…And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly…And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health…and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge…And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
2. Mormon Missionaries Can Curse You
Ever get tired of religious folk knocking on your door? Be nice because:
A. They’re people, so you should treat them with the respect every human deserves.
B. They can potentially leave a curse on you.
What that means exactly is somewhat vague. The teaching essentially says for missionaries to wipe the dust off your feet for cursing and testimonial purposes if the person does not accept the Mormon message. The passage sighting this action can be found in Section 24 verse 15 of Doctrine and Covenants, which states:
And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside.
Interestingly enough, the Bible also contains references of Jesus stating to shake the dust off your feet if the people are not welcoming or do not listen (There are already too many quotes in this article so look them up yourself: Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, Luke 10:10-11).
3. Joseph Smith Killed and Got Killed in Prison
In addition to dusty rebukes, Christianity and Mormonism both contain a “martyr” figure. I leave the “martyr” in quotation marks because Joseph Smith’s death is complicated. Many will claim that Joseph Smith was wrongly incarcerated then murdered by the hands of an angry mob. In reality, Smith was arrested for having a printing press destroyed, which had been printing unflattering information about the Mormon Church. His death is also less than heroic. He originally planned on escaping to the Rocky Mountains, but he was convinced to stay after his wife told him some Mormons were beginning to find him cowardly. The locals frowned upon Smith’s blasphemy, polygamy, and printing press destruction, and so, naturally, an angry mob formed. According to one of the Mormon leaders John Taylor, Joseph Smith went down gunning with the help of a Mormon elder providing him a pistol in prison. He shot and killed two people as the horde stormed the jailhouse. So is Smith a martyred Christ-figure for preserving his pride and fighting to the death? The world may never know.
Bonus: Irony
According to the Mormon text The History of the Church, Joseph Smith got drunk on wine the night of his death.
