Censoring Joseph Smith's actions

In February of 1833 Joseph Smith received a revelation on the “Word of Wisdom”. This was to be a set of rules which specifically forbid the consumption of hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, and tobacco.

These rules are strictly enforced today and those who break the rules are not considered worthy to participate in temple work. However, this was not always the case.

Despite claims that Joseph Smith “carefully observed the Word of Wisdom” (Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, 1966, p. 90), Joseph Smith himself has admitted to drinking alcohol, and was spotted on more than one occasion doing so.

Not only is the Church aware of this fact, they actively worked to cover it up. In his journal (1st June 1844) Joseph Smith wrote "Then went to John P. Greene's, and paid him and another brother $200. Drank a glass of beer at Moessers. Called at William Clayton's...." (see photo).

When the LDS Church later printed this section of the journal in ‘History of The Church’ (1906) they omitted the line “Drank a glass of beer at Moessers” with no indication that this was removed.

This is not the only instance of a Prophet violating the Word of Wisdom. Brigham Young who served as the second prophet for the Church-owned a distillery which he leased to the LDS Church