The entheogenic origins of Mormonism: A working hypothesis
Robert Beckstead, Bryce Blankenagel, Cody Noconi, Michael Winkelman
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.020 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractHistorical documents suggest that Joseph Smith used entheogen-infused sacraments to fulfill his promise that every Mormon convert would experience visions of God and spiritual ecstasies. Early Mormon scriptures and Smith's teachings contain descriptions consistent with entheogenic material. Compiled accounts of Smith's earliest visions and early convert visions reveal internal symptomology and outward bodily manifestations consistent with an anticholinergic entheogen. Due to embarrassing symptomology, Smith sought psychoactives with fewer outward manifestations. The visionary period fueled by entheogens played a significant role in Mormonism's rise. Smith's death ended visionary Mormonism, as his successor failed to use entheogens in worship.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Vision Worship Successor cardinal Religious studies Religious experience |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Early Mormon visionary experiences were likely produced by entheogen-infused sacraments, and this practice ended with Joseph Smith's death. |
Abstract
Historical documents relating to early Mormonism suggest that Joseph Smith (1805–1844) employed entheogen-infused sacraments to fulfill his promise that every Mormon convert would experience visions of God and spiritual ecstasies. Early Mormon scriptures and Smith’s teachings contain descriptions consistent with using entheogenic material. Compiled descriptions of Joseph Smith’s earliest visions and early Mormon convert visions reveal the internal symptomology and outward bodily manifestations consistent with using an anticholinergic entheogen. Due to embarrassing symptomology associated with these manifestations, Smith sought for psychoactives with fewer associated outward manifestations. The visionary period of early Mormonism fueled by entheogens played a significant role in the spectacular rise of this American-born religion. The death of Joseph Smith marked the end of visionary Mormonism and the failure or refusal of his successor to utilize entheogens as a part of religious worship. The implications of an entheogenic origin of Mormonism may contribute to the broader discussion of the major world religions with evidence of entheogen use at their foundation and illustrate the value of entheogens in religious experience.