The May 1833 issue of the American Quarterly Temperance Magazine reports that "Simultaneous Temperance Meetings" by various temperance societies were held across the nation on or around February 26, 1833. (1)
-- Feb 27, 1833
[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 89: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327-329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.
1-9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10-17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18-21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings. (2)
Section 89, Place: Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio.
Historical Note: Section 89, known as the "Word of Wisdom," was received at a meeting of the School of the Prophets in the upper level of the Whitney store. Zebedee Coltrin, present when this revelation was received, clarified that although twenty-two brethren were in attendance that day, section 89 was received in an adjoining room, in the presence of two or three brethren.
Although not in attendance on 27 February 1833, Brigham Young later stated that he was well acquainted with the circumstances surrounding the reception of section 89. In 1868 President Young declared,.
The first school of the prophets was held in a small room situated over the Prophet Joseph's kitchen, in a house which belonged to Bishop Whitney, and which was attached to his store, which store probably might be about fifteen feet square. In the rear of this building was a kitchen, probably ten by fourteen feet, containing rooms and pantries. Over this kitchen was situated the room in which the Prophet received revelations and in which he instructed his brethren. The brethren came to that place for hundreds of miles to attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by fourteen. When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a
cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result.
Publication Note. Section 89 was first published on a broadsheet in December 1833 or January 1834 and was included as section 80 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. (3)
Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 89. Not a commandment. Use wine for sacrament, strong drink for washing, tobacco for bruises, no hot drinks, herbs useful, meat sparingly, grain the staff of life, fruit, mild barley drinks. Promise: health, hidden treasures of knowledge, endurance, destroying angel pass by.
Kirtland Revelations Book heading: A Revelation for the benefit of the saints & -.
Not printed in the Book of Commandments.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 80 heading: A word of wisdom for the benefit of the council of high priests assembled in Kirtland and church; and also the saints in Zion: to be sent greeting: not by commandment or constraint: but by revelation and the word of wisdom: showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days. Given for a principle with promise adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints who are or can be called saints.
Kirtland Revelations Book.
A Revelation for the benefit of the saints & KRB, 49-51. (4)
Footnotes:
1 - Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source
2 - Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants
3 - Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
4 - Kenny, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
