HEALTH (Teachings of Joseph Smith)

Advice on Bitter Herbs, Boneset, Cayenne, Hoarhound, Etc. — Willard Richards (April 3, 1843)

The Doctors in this region dont know much; & the lawyers, when I spoke about them— began to say we will known renounce you. on the stand. — but they dont come up & I take the libety to say what I have a mind to about. them. Doctors wont tell you where to go to be well. they want to kill. or cure you to get your money. — Calomel Doctor will give you Calomel to cure a sliver in the big toe & does not stop to know if whether the stomach is empty or not. — & calomel on an empty stomach will kill the patient. & the Lobelia doctors will do the same. point me out a patient & I will tell you whether calomel or Lobelia will kill kill him or not. if you give it, The river Mississippi is healthy. unless they drink, it. & it is more healthy then the spring water — dig wells from 15 to 30 feet. and it will be healthy.

Discourse, 13 April 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 131-132, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Advice on Doctors, Calomel, Lobelia, Etc. — Willard Richards (April 3, 1843)

The Doctors in this region dont know much; & the lawyers, when I spoke about them— began to say we will known renounce you. on the stand. — but they dont come up & I take the libety to say what I have a mind to about. them. Doctors wont tell you where to go to be well. they want to kill. or cure you to get your money. — Calomel Doctor will give you Calomel to cure a sliver in the big toe & does not stop to know if whether the stomach is empty or not. — & calomel on an empty stomach will kill the patient. & the Lobelia doctors will do the same. point me out a patient & I will tell you whether calomel or Lobelia will kill kill him or not. if you give it, The river Mississippi is healthy. unless they drink, it. & it is more healthy then the spring water — dig wells from 15 to 30 feet. and it will be healthy.

Discourse, 13 April 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 131-132, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Joseph Smith Asks the Congregation to Pray So His Lungs Can Be Strengthened — William Clayton (April 8, 1843)

I have three requests to make of the congregation . . . [one] is, that I may have your prayers that the Lord may strengthen my lungs so that I may be able to make you all hear.

Discourse, 8 April 1843, as Reported by William Clayton–B, p. 1, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Joseph Smith Asks for the Prayers & Faith of His Brethren to Strengthen Him — Wilford Woodruff (January 21, 1844)

When I consider the surrounding circumstances in which I am placed this day, standing in the open air with week lungs & sumwhat out of health, I feel that I must have prayers & faith of my brethren that God may strengthen me & pour out his special blessings upon me if you get much from me this day.

Discourse, 21 January 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, p. 181, The Joseph Smith Papers.