[Word of Wisdom] Oliver, David, and John
Oliver Cowdery drinks tea three times a day in winter for his health. David and John Whitmer drink tea and coffee--do not consider them hot drinks. (1)
-- Feb 5, 1838
A Far West meeting of the "whole Church in Zion" votes to remove David Whitmer, John Whitmer, and W. W. Phelps from their positions as "Presidents of the Church" in Missouri. David Whitmer was accused of persisting "in the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco." All three men allegedly encouraged the sale of Jackson County lands, a transgression which Joseph Smith had earlier declared "a denial of our faith, as that is the place where the Zion of God shall stand, according to our faith and belief in the revelations of God." Thirteen months later Joseph Smith advises the Saints to "sell all the land in Jackson, and all other lands in the State [of Missouri]" (2)
[Joseph Smith] A general assembly of the Church is held at Far West, Mo., to decide whether or not David Whitmer, John Whitmer, and W. W. Phelps should continue as the (stake) presidency of the Church in Missouri. The assembly is repeated at other Mormon settlements for the next four days. After lengthy arguments, there is an almost unanimous vote to reject these three as presidents. Whitmer and Phelps are accused of having used $1400 of Church funds to buy Missouri lands and then selling them to the Saints for a profit. They are also accused of having sold lands in Jackson County, which constituted a denial of the faith (because of the prophecies concerning the eventual return to Jackson County). David Whitmer has also been charged with breaking the Word of Wisdom. (3)
-- During February 1838
[Word of Wisdom] David
George M. Hinkle denounces David Whitmer for using tea, coffee, and tobacco. (1)
-- Mar 10, 1838
[Word of Wisdom] John Whitmer is criticized for teaching that "a man could drink liquor once in a while, but not make a free use of it &c." (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, Mormon History 1830-1844, Word of Wisdom, http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/n/wow.phtml
2 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
3 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
