Description

Herbal physician Frederick G. Williams cared for early members of Joseph Smith’s religious movement. His medical ledger contains a cryptic, frequently used prescriptions titled “Bachelor’s Delight.” While Williams’ biographer concluded this was remediation of sexually transmitted infections, this paper broadens the scope. We present common herbal remedies under the classification of “love philters,” and the multitude of potential uses for such herbal remedies, especially concerning the unique, clandestine social structures created by Nauvoo polygamy. We position these plant medicines within the larger context of entheogen use in the early Mormon movement, which helped facilitate spiritual experiences in individual and group settings.

Cody Noconi is an author and independent researcher specializing in Mormon history, the occult, and ethnobotany. He is a father of four, and works as a Sous Chef in Portland Oregon.

Bryce Blankenagel is an independent history communicator. He has multiple Mormon history related podcasts and has published several articles concerning the psychedelic origins of the early church movement.

Alex Criddle is an independent scholar of philosophy, religion, and psychedelics. He’s worked as a researcher in Mormon history, writing psychedelic therapy curriculum, and taught classes on psychedelics and philosophy.