The Trials of Young Joseph F. Smith (5)

Shame over chewing tobacco, Brigham's leniency, Joseph conquers the habit, Joseph Fisher Sr. perception of Joseph, courting of and marriage to Levira Smith.

Except where noted, primary sources are in the Joseph F. Smith Papers.

I could have shrunk out of existence  
Word of Wisdom non-observence common   During this period many faithful Latter-day Saints drank wine and other alcoholic beverages. Many men chewed tobacco, including at least half of his missionary companions. Joseph picked up both habits.
  "I was surprised to learn that so many of the new brethren [in JFS's group] were in the habit of using tobacco. The majority of the 18 have used it more or less ever since they left their homes." F. A. Hammond diary, July 28, 1855.
Drinking problem   In 1883 Joseph acknowledged to the Salt Lake School of the Prophets that "he had used tobacco, and he loved liquor," but he had quit and believed anyone who wanted to, could do the same.   Salt Lake School, 81.
    Apparently the liquor problem arose early in life, perhaps originating with—or at least aggravated by—his mother's death when he was thirteen. In 1903 he acknowledged    
Very fond of liquor at fourteen  

I had a good friend who told me, when I was fourteen years of age, that if I would refuse strong drink for the next six years there would be little fear that I would ever thereafter care for liquor, or become a drunkard. At that time, I was very fond of liquor, and, in one of my serious moments of reflection, I saw where it might lead me, and told much friend that I feared the results. It was then he told me how to avoid danger. I followed his advice, and liquor is no temptation to me now. But my habit was not formed without severe training of my will, without strict and frequent repetitions of self-denial.

   "Talks," 377.
Use of wine   In 1862 his missionary chums wrote that they were "lonely when you left so we downed the bottle of wine you forgot when you left."   William W. Cluff to JFS, September 26, 1862.
    As a farewell gift in 1863 he was given "3 bottles of wine and a fall for Lavina." He received a gift of champagne in 1873 and "treated my folks." When he left for England the next year he was given a bottle of wine, and there was "treated very respectfully to wine and cake."   JFS diary entries January 29, 1863; July 4, 1873; July 28, 1874; April 1, 1874.
Tobacco   It took "severe training of my will" for Joseph to overcome the temptations of liquor, but tobacco was even more challenging and filled him with shame.    
Josehp's shame  

From my childhood—for twenty years and upwards I chewed the filthy weed. I never saw the moment during the whole time that I was not inwardly ashamed of it, insomuch I endeavored to keep it to myself, using great caution. One day I went into the president's office. He whispered to me, I was obliged to whisper back. He smelt my breath, and started in surprise. "Do you chew tobacco?" I could have shrunk out of existence, or anihilated myself from very shame, and he saw I was ashamed of myself, and pitying me said, "Keep it to yourself"! When I went out I was resolved that I who so hated hypocricy—now thoroughly hating myself—would conquer my appetite for tobacco or know the reason why. I tried with it in my pocket, but it was no use. My hand would involuntarily find and put it in my mouth, and it seemed when at last it was all gone, and I vowed I would not touch again, and all my friends were dead or gone on a journey, everybody was cross and crabbed, including my amiable wives and loving children, and I had no very definite purpose in life!

   JFS to J. D. T. McAllister, August 23, 1875


In the 1870s Brigham Young and George A. Smith urged young men not to take up the habit. Joseph noted George A.'s comments about tobacco: "It was a sin to chew tobacco, an unpardonable sin to spit tobacco juice on the floor, and total depravity to make a spitoon of a linen shirt bosom." JFS diary, June 27, 1871.
Brigham's leniency   In the early 1860s President Young himself was still chewing tobacco, and he was generous to those who were addicted.   "Jules Remy, a French adventurer, observed Young preparing a 'quid of Virginia Tobacco' in late September 1855, and seven years later Young publicly alluded to the fact that he had only reently overcome habits contrary to the Wordom of Wisdom."

As late as 1861 Young said that he never chose to make observance of the word of wisdom a test of church fellowship.

"A chatechism prepared for the 1856–1857 Reformation only asked members if they had ever been drunk, not if they drank tea, coffee, beer, or light wines." Establishing Zion, 176.
 

I have my weakness … [but] I will not make my wrong a means of leading others astray. Many of the brethren chew tobacco, and I have advised them to be modest about it. Do not take out a whole plug of tobacco in meeting before the eyes of the congregation, and cut off a long slice and put it in your mouth, to the annoyance of everybody around. … If you must use tobacco, put a small portion in your mouth when no person sees you, and be careful that no one sees you chew it. I do not charge you with sin. You have the "Word of Wisdom." Read it.

  
Joseph tries to quit   But Joseph held himself to a higher standard. Trying to quit nicotine made him "cross and crabbed," but being unable to quit was infuriating. Finally, after twenty years,   JFS to McAllister, op cit.
Conquers the enemy  

I conquered—and now, when I think of it, I feel ashamed that I was so weak, and strange to say the appetite, though still with me and perhaps as strong as ever, it is at my command. It is no longer the master, but a subdued, conquered enemy ever on the alert to revolt, but daily growing weaker and more faint.

    
not . . . without embarisment & difidence  
Utah War   Joseph returned from Hawaii on February 24, 1859 and the next day enlisted in the militia—mostly likely in his home area company, the new Mill Creek company under Orrin Porter Rockwell—to prevent federal troops from entering the Salt Lake valley. In June, thanks to Thomas L. Kane's negotiating skill, Brigham Young reached an agreement with federally-appointed Governor Alfred Cumming.   The Mill Creek unit, sometimes referred to as a battalion, was organized January 30 and told on February 20 to be ready in two weeks. Federal mediator Thomas L. Kane arrived in the valley February 25, one day after Joseph. Henry Ballard diary, January 20–February 25, 1858.
Joseph and Samuel H. B. Smith   Nevertheless, the Saints were called upon to evacuate the valley, and Joseph was in the detail left behind to torch the city if the Army attempted to occupy it. His cousin, Samuel H. B. Smith, returned from his mission to England on June 25, and Joseph took him "out to the farm" that evening. The next day the troops passed through the city without incident. Joseph and Samuel stayed at the farm and in the city about three weeks, then went to Provo to assist their families return to the valley.   Samuel H. B. Smith diary, 307–309.
Jane Fisher   At that point Joseph was free to patch up things up with Jane Fisher, sister of his old Mill Creek chums. Apparently he had proposed to Jane while on his mission, but she was not to make the engagement public. When he returned, things changed. On June 26 Jane wrote,
 
Everybody thinks you and I are engaged  

You said you would be happy to hear from me, every month, and I was vain enough to think you ment what you said. … Everybody thinks you and I are engaged. Now dont think yourself insulted and trample the letter under your feet till you have finished. … Joseph I swear by all I hold dear that I never wronged you so much. Never did such an expression pass my lips. … If I had by some unguarded expression betrayed a deeper feeling than that of friendship, it was unintentionaly. … You may condemn me for writing as I have, but what would you have me do? When you return, people will find they were mistaken, and pitty me. For that I do not care. I scorn their pitty, as I have their scoffs, but you too would pitty and despise me for dareing to aspire to your affection. … But allow me to give you the same advice you did me. Do not marry the hand alone but be Sure She has a heart.

  
Continue to "date"   But Joseph and Jane continued to see each other through the summer, fall, and early winter. Apparently they broke up in December, about the time Joseph went to Fillmore as sergeant-at-arms for the two-day legislative session. Two months later, Jane's father wrote him an indignant letter:
  
Jane's father indignant  

… you have been keeping company with my Daughter ever since your return from your Mishion & from the testimony before me you solicited her to be your wife before you returnd whitch indirectly was granted. I will here state that before the Move south you could have had my consent & from that time untill two Months ago you Could have had it grudgeingley & since that time you could not have it at all. I told her at least two months ago to not have anything more to Doo with you for it was my opinion that she would lead a Miserable life. …

  Joseph Fisher Sr. to JFS, February 23, 1859.
Joseph's "tyranical influence, jealousy, and self importance"  

I beleive she would have maried you & Dragd out a few miserable years in broken hearted wreatchedness under the tyranical influence jelousy & self importance …

  
Jealous disposition  

You have stood in the way for the last 8 or 9 months when she could have Bettered herself 2 to 1 with out any trouble but your covetynes and jelous disposition would not give her up …

  
Heber's counsel against marrying Jane  

You say your folks are all against you. So much the more you are to be pitied for not haveing a mind of your own … You also state that you seen Brother kimble [Heber C. Kimball] & he has Counsald you to do as you have done.

  
Joseph courts Levira   Three days later, no doubt with his friends' father's condemnation still burning his ears, he commenced his courtship of Samuel H. B.'s sixteen-year-old sister, Levira. Did Heber break up Joseph and Jane because he believed Levira was a better match? Or did Joseph favor Levira but out of loyalty to an earlier attachment was unable to initiate the breakup?  
    We don't know. But we do know there was no official stigma attached to cousins marrying one other. In fact, given the feelings about the Smith blood line, this may have been one reason for encouraging the match. Whatever the reason, Joseph was painfully uncomfortable and self-conscious as he initiated the contact with Levira:   cousins marrying: See Abraham H. Cannon diary, July 15, 1886, text.

blood line: See Royal Lineage notebook.
Joseph's awkward letter to Levira  

It is with feelings of true emotion that I attempt to address you a few lines this morning. It is not however without embarisment & difidence that I engage in this taske. I say taske because it is a taske to me to deliniate the feelings of my beating heart, in writing. Still ‘twould be a plesurable taske, Could I but penitrate the future, and see therein, the completion and fulfillment of my ardent hope, but like the divinity of a Cato's Immortality, "Shadows, Clouds and darkness hang about it." I would that it was otherwise, but this is not the point. … I am aware that our acquaintance has been short, to you, I do not know how pleasant, but allow me to say, that since I saw you first the admiration and respect I first conceived for you have daily grown, till they have changed to something stronger and more fervent. … Not knowing therefore; the state of your feelings, It becomes a duty that I owe myself, to simply aske you, cousin how you feel toward me, what you think of "Cousin Joe," or whether it is agreeable to you or not that I should encourage farther my desires, or scese to know or hope, or dream of thee, as something nearer, dearer, and more Chois than just a Cousin and a friend.

   JFS to Levira Annette Smith (hereafter LAS), February 26, 1859.

Levira was the daughter of Samuel H. Clark and Levira Clark. She was born April 29, 1842 and died December 18, 1888.
Marriage in six weeks   Six weeks later, on April 5, 1859, Brigham Young married the pair in his office. Joseph was twenty years old, Levira not quite seventeen.   Journal History, April 5, 1859.
     

Next page
Previous page
Articles
Home