[1] 17…P M heard the Rev Mr Blodget from Mass. Unitarian Preacher. good discourse of religious Liberty Text "What is Truth" [2] followed by Pres Smith disproving the idea that persecution causes a good work to prosper—continued his discours about 1 1/2 hours speaking of the practice of Medicine [3]—& of Medicine of Quacks & qualified Doctors—of the use of Med & of the abuse of Med.—also spoke decidedly agains Dr Brinks [4] practice—spoke in favor of Doc. Bernhisel [5]—declared that he (J Smith) never lost a patient where he had been the first & only one employed & challenged the congregation to bring instance—they brough none spoke of Lobelia when the patient was too weak to bear it—as being destructive & & said calomel would corrode the stomach when it was empty—said it was a poison—still said it was a med. & useful if used skilfully!!!!!!!!! [6]

Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards

P.M. Mr. Blodget the Unitarian Minister preached was gratified with his sermon in general—but differed in opinion on some points—on which I freely expressed myself to his great satisfaction on persecution making the work spread. by rooting up a flower garden or kicking back the sun.

—17 September 1843 (2)

Notes

[1] See History of the Church, 6:34. Not in Teachings. The original source for the entry in the History of the Church is the Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards. The Levi Richards report is here published for the first time.

[2] John 18:38.

[3] See 13 April 1843, notes 16 and 17.

[4] William B. Brink was a botanical doctor who resided in Nauvoo. A member of the Church, Brink probably was baptized in Nauvoo.

[5] John M. Bernhisel (1799-1881) was a doctor of medicine. Converted to the Church in New York, he was a close friend of the Prophet and was later elected Utah's first delegate to Congress.

[6] See 13 April 1843, note 17.