{"id":468,"date":"2024-05-24T14:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T20:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sacredkaleidoscope\/?p=468"},"modified":"2024-08-08T14:28:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T20:28:00","slug":"psychedelics-mormonism-qa-w-the-director-of-entheomagus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sacredkaleidoscope\/2024\/05\/psychedelics-mormonism-qa-w-the-director-of-entheomagus\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A with the Director of the Film “EntheoMagus”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
The theory that Joseph Smith Jr. employed the use of psychedelics in early Mormonism<\/a> was first popularized by Robert T. Beckstead, PhD., a retired professor of<\/span> Emergency Medicine at Idaho State University. The cause has since been taken up by researchers Bryce Blankenagel, Alex Criddle, Cody Noconi, and Michael Winkelman who co-authored a paper with Beckstead in the <\/span>Journal of Psychedelic Studies<\/span><\/a> to further flesh out the theory that is gaining traction among scholars and raising the ire of <\/span>LDS Church (Mormon) apologists<\/span><\/a>. The debate has reached a critical point with the upcoming release of the new documentary <\/span>EntheoMagus<\/span><\/a>, which details the theoretical use of psychedelics in early Mormon history<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Supporters of this theory suggest that visionary experiences, critical to the foundations of Mormon doctrine<\/a>, may have been facilitated by substances such as datura or psilocybin mushrooms, which were known to be available in the regions where the early Saints settled. This theory posits that the profound spiritual encounters described by Smith and his contemporaries may have been induced or enhanced by these psychoactive agents, offering an explanation for the LDS Church\u2019s foundational divine revelations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Watch the <\/span>EntheoMagus<\/span> trailer <\/span><\/span>here,<\/span><\/span><\/a> or the full feature on <\/span><\/span>Patreon<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
The use of the entheogen <\/span>Datura stramonium<\/span><\/i> to induce spiritual experiences among groups or assemblies has a long, documented history. This may be particularly relevant when considering the Kirtland Temple dedication, where approximately 500 participants, including Joseph Smith and the early Mormon apostles, reportedly experienced visions of angels while partaking of the sacrament. Historical accounts suggest that the visionary experiences during the dedication may have been influenced by wine infused with datura or a mix of psychoactive substances. In addition, celebrated entheogen scholar <\/span>Terence McKenna<\/span><\/a> described the effects of Ayahuasca, a combination of two plants that produce DMT to illicit spiritual experiences, which he likened to \u201cthe sound of rushing water.\u201d This description is <\/span>uncannily<\/span> similar to Joseph Smith\u2019s description of the voice of Jehovah during the Kirtland Temple dedication, which he compared to \u201cthe sound of the rushing <\/span>of great waters.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Similarly, the vision in which Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received the revelation of the Three Degrees of Glory found in <\/span>Doctrine & Covenants 76,<\/span><\/a> hints of psychedelic use. According to witness Philo Dibble, \u201cJoseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which, Joseph remarked, smilingly, \u2018Sidney is not used to it as I am.\u2019\u201d One experienced in the use of psychedelics will recognize the physical effects of a classic \u201ctrip\u201d as described here. In addition, one is also reminded of Joseph Smith\u2019s First Vision experience in which, upon his return home from praying in the Sacred Grove, he fainted and collapsed to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The Smith family was well known for its herbal remedies and magical practices. Emma Hale, Joseph Smith\u2019s wife, was well-known for her talented use of herbal medicines. One of her recipes was a <\/span>healing salve<\/span><\/a> that contained \u201cjimson weed\u201d or datura. <\/span>Emma\u2019s grandchildren also reported<\/span><\/a> her use of psychoactive medicinal beer, ginseng, and lobelia, or \u201cIndian tobacco\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Credit ChatGPT<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Speaking of the Smith grandchildren, Frederick Smith was the patrilineal grandson of Joseph Smith and the prophet of the Reorganized Mormon Church<\/a> from 1915\u20131946. He was also a classically trained psychologist whose doctoral thesis extensively explored the entheogen peyote in religious contexts. In addition, <\/span>Frederick published an article in the Saints Herald titled \u201cA Trip among the Indians of Oklahoma,\u201d in which he expressed that despite the church\u2019s strict prohibition on alcohol, he considered peyote a powerful catalyst for authentic spiritual ecstasy. He revealed that he had personally participated in all-night peyote rituals with the Omaha and Cheyenne tribes.<\/span><\/p>\n
While the Mormon entheogen hypothesis is speculative, it aligns with a broader understanding of religious practices globally, where entheogens have played roles in ritualistic settings to induce spiritual experiences since the beginning of recorded history. This is beautifully discussed in the research of writer<\/span> Brian Muraresku in his highly acclaimed work<\/span>, <\/span>The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
The theory rem<\/span>ains controversial and is only recently receiving attention from mainstream historical and religious scholarship. Defenders of the orthodox view of the LDS Church and its history argue that there is insufficient direct evidence to conclusively link Joseph Smith and his early followers to deliberate psychedelic use. The topic shows no signs of slowing down and will continue to be a subject of debate among scholars and enthusiasts interested in the intersections of religious history and psychoactive substances.<\/span><\/p>\n
I recently sat down with Brandon Crockett, the director of the new documentary film <\/span>EntheoMagus<\/span><\/a>, to further discuss the Mormon psychedelic controversy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Q: C<\/b>a<\/span>n you describe your current film project, EntheoMagus?<\/b><\/p>\n
Directing \u201cEntheoMagus\u201d was a delicate balancing act. We aimed to introduce fresh and sometimes startling research about Joseph Smith and the origins of Mormonism without casting personal opinions on him or the Mormon religion. Given the controversial theory that psychedelics were instrumental in Mormonism\u2019s formation and foundational truth claims, we upheld strict academic standards to ensure the narrative was credible and not dismissed as mere speculation.<\/span><\/p>\n
The film was designed to be accessible and engaging for diverse audiences\u2014from those unfamiliar with Mormonism to lifelong members of the faith. We also crafted the presentation of psychedelics to appeal to seasoned \u201cpsychonauts\u201d as well as newcomers to this subject area. As someone raised within the Latter-day Saint community, I\u2019ve found immense value in reevaluating Joseph Smith\u2019s life and the roots of his religious movement. This exploration has opened up new perspectives and insights that were both unexpected and profoundly enlightening for my own spirituality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Credit ChatGPT<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n*
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Q: Can you share your journey from being a devout Mormon to exploring psychedelics?<\/b><\/p>\n
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A:<\/strong> Growing up in a traditional Mormon family, I found myself grappling with doctrinal doubts from an early age. Despite my attempt<\/span> to follow church teachings well into adulthood, I increasingly felt disconnected. My pivotal moment came just before my mission when I was introduced to the temple endowment ceremony, which significantly altered my view of the church. When I stumbled upon and digested the research of Dr. Beckstead in 2013 and eventually gave myself permission to experiment with magic mushrooms (psilocybin) where I had profound experiences, such as seeing deities from various world traditions. I eventually linked up with my co-producer Cody Noconi and researchers Alex Criddle, Bryce Blankenagel and Utah herbalist\u00a0Marinda Bowen\u00a0in order to produce the film. Exposure to the psychedelic history of Mormonism was the beginning of my journey that really took off when I left the church at the age of 34.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Q: What role did psychedelics play in your faith transition?<\/b><\/p>\n
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A:<\/strong> My exploration of psychedelics began after I had already started to question my faith. I was introduced to the works of Terence McKenna and others who discussed the use of psychedelics in spiritual contexts. That exposure made me realize the similarities between early Mormon visionary experiences and psychedelic experiences. It wasn\u2019t until I delved deeper into this connection that I allowed myself to explore psychedelics personally, which opened new doors of perception for me.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Q: How has your Mormon background influenced your current spiritual and religious views?<\/b><\/p>\n
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*A:<\/strong> Having been raised in a Mormon environment where questioning and spiritual exploration were discouraged, I now find great value in inquiry and open exploration of consciousness. That\u2019s led me to become involved in advocacy for psychedelic substances, believing that they offer profound insights and therapeutic benefits, such as treating mental health disorders like depression, anxiety and addiction. I am currently working on other projects to educate others about the benefits of psychedelics and to promote legal changes regarding their use.<\/span><\/p>\n
Q: How has the response been from the Mormon community<\/a> and Church leaders?<\/b><\/p>\n
Q: What\u2019s next for you and the \u201cEntheoMagus\u201d film?<\/b><\/p>\n
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