Word of Wisdom

File — Box: 12, Folder: 31

Identifier: III

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

JFS, letter to John D. T. McAllister, 23 August 1875, says: "But you will say what terrible thing has Joseph [F. Smith] been guilty of? I will tell you--from my childhood--for twenty years and upwards I chewed the filthy weed [tobacco]. I never saw the moment during the whole time that I was not inwardly ashamed of it, insomuch I endeavored to keep it to my self, using great caution. One day I went into the President [Brigham Young]'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 annihilated myself from very shame, and he saw I was ashamed of myself, and pitying me said, 'Keep it to yourself!'"

Fruben G. Miller, letter to JFS, 7 June 1902

Dates

1820-1984

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.