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Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:52 pm**

The Wikipedia entry for the Word of Wisdom states this:

In 1842, Smith's brother Hyrum, who was the Assistant President of the Church and its presiding patriarch, provided an interpretation of the Word of Wisdom's proscription of "hot drinks":

And again "hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;" there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.[24]

According to a book written by LDS missionary and hymnographer Joel H. Johnson in 1881, Joseph Smith shared Hyrum's interpretation:

I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said "hot drinks" in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom .... Tea and coffee ... are what the Lord meant when He said "hot drinks."[25]

When I follow the footnote to 25, it says: In Joel H. Johnson (1881). Voice from the Mountains (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office) p. 12; cited in Church Educational System (2001). Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual: Religion 324 and 325 (Salt Lake City: LDS Church) p. 209.

Whey I try and click on the link, I get a 404 "page cannot be found" error.

Does anyone know where this quote originated from?

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:19 pm**

John Widtsoe: The Word of Wisdom, p. 85-86 (as cited in David Ridges: The Doctrine and Covenants Made Easier, p. 341).

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:44 am**

Morley wrote:John Widtsoe: The Word of Wisdom, p. 85-86 (as cited in David Ridges: The Doctrine and Covenants Made Easier, p. 341).

Thanks.

Is this the original quote, or is there a footnote here that leads us further back?

I'm wondering where the original document is that proclaims this?

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:57 am**

Scottie wrote:
Morley wrote:John Widtsoe: The Word of Wisdom, p. 85-86 (as cited in David Ridges: The Doctrine and Covenants Made Easier, p. 341).

Thanks.

Is this the original quote, or is there a footnote here that leads us further back?

I'm wondering where the original document is that proclaims this?

Dunno. This is what the Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, that you mentioned, says:

D&C 89:9. What Does the Phrase “Hot Drinks”
Mean?

Some of the early Brethren explained what was
meant by this phrase. Hyrum Smith, brother of the
Prophet, wrote: “And again, ‘hot drinks are not for
the body, or belly;’ there are many who wonder what
this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or
not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.” (“The Word
of Wisdom,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, p. 800.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I understand
that some of the people are excusing themselves in
using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said
‘hot drinks’ in the revelation of the Word of
Wisdom. . . .

“Tea and coffee . . . are what the Lord meant
when He said ‘hot drinks.’” (In Joel H. Johnson,
Voice from the Mountains [Salt Lake City: Juvenile
Instructor Office, 1881], p. 12.

You can see for yourself:

https://si.LDS.org/bc/seminary/content/library/manuals/institute-student/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual_eng.pdf

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:03 am**

Thanks, I didn't realize that was online.

I appreciate your diligence, however, it still doesn't quite address the original source of the Joseph Smith quote.

Where did Brother Joel H Johnson dig up this quote?

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:29 am**

Scottie wrote:Thanks, I didn't realize that was online.

I appreciate your diligence, however, it still doesn't quite address the original source of the Joseph Smith quote.

Where did Brother Joel H Johnson dig up this quote?

Joel H Johnson - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_H._Johnson

Personal life

On November 22, 1826, Johnson married Anna P. Johnson.[1] He maintained a journal in which the earliest source for the interpretation of "Hot Drinks" in The Word of Wisdom was found as being coffee and tea.[12] Anna P. Johnson died September 11, 1840. He married Susan Bryant on October 20, 1840. He later married Janet Fife on October 25, 1845. Lastly, he married Margaret Therekold in 1861. Johnson was the brother of Latter-Benjamin F. Johnson.[13]

Johnson has been included in a list of "75 significant Mormon poets"[14] Other texts by Johnson have were set to music in the 1980s.[15] In fact in 1982 there was a Joel Hills Johnson Music Contest.[16]

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2011 3:33 am**

Ah that makes more sense!

I was thinking Brother Johnson was a more recent scholar who had written a book. I didn't realize he was in the 1800's.

Thanks, Morley!

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