| Almon Babbitt's defense
for breaking the Word of Wisdom: Joseph and others don't observe it. He
is admonished to keep it anyway. Don't take wife on propselyting missions. |
| Date |
|
August 19, 1835 |
|
Kirtland council,
97. |
| Location |
|
Kirtland, Ohio |
|
| Description |
|
High Council of the presidency in
session … |
|
|
| [Presiding] |
|
[Joseph Smith] |
|
|
| Clerk |
|
Warren Parrish |
|
|
| Almon
Babbitt charged |
|
Charles Rich charges Elder A. Babbitt with (1) not keeping
the Word of Wisdom, (2) claiming the Book of
Mormon is not essential to salvation, and (3) saying we have no articles
of faith except the Bible. |
|
Almon
W. Babbitt (1813-1856), attorney, Baptized 1833, Zion’s Camp 1834,
seventy 1835. Accused by Joseph of misrepresenting him in the aftermath
of the debating school incident. Minutes of
December 28, 1835. Acquitted of making false statements against Joseph,
September 6, 1840. Kirtland stake president, May 1841. Disfellowshipped
October 2, 1841 for promoting Kirtland as the place of gathering instead
of Nauvoo. Council of Fifty. Delegate to Congress for State of Deseret 1849,
but was not seated. Disfellowshipped May 1851 for immorality, intemperance.
Secretary of Utah Territory 1852. |
| J.
B. Smith testimony |
|
J. B. Smith: Babbitt "assumed the prerogative of dictating
[to] him in his preaching," and does not observe the Word of Wisdom. |
|
Babbitt
defense:
Joseph doesn't keep Word of Wisdom |
|
Acknowledges he has "taken the liberty to break the
word of wisdom from the example of President Joseph Smith Junr & others,"
but admits it is wrong. |
|
| Modern
scriptures are good |
|
Teaches that "the Book of Mormon and [Doctrine] &
Covenants … [contain] wisdom and [are] for the good of the cause of
Christ. |
|
| Only
counseled |
|
Did not intend to dictate to J. Smith, only to give him advice. |
|
| Council's
advice |
|
Council admonishes Babbitt: |
|
| Keep
Word of Wisdom, etc. to be blessed |
|
To observe the word of wisdom & commandments
in all things, that we may be heirs to all the blessings, that God has promised,
|
|
|
| Elders
should not take wives on proselyting missions |
|
also that it is not advisable for any Elder to
take [his] wife with him on a mission to preach. |
|
|
|
|
Minutes of August 24, 1835
Minutes of August 18, 1835
Ohio Minutes
|