Is it true that in early versions of 3rd ed sorcerors could cast cure spells?

[wolff96]

Nothing sucks worse then having to learn restoration every day just in case you run into level-draining undead. Or remove paralysis in case someone get's held, etc.

No criticism of you intended, first off, but I think it's this attitude that makes players less than likely to play a cleric no matter HOW much WoTC powers them up.

Scribe Scroll is (IMO) the best metamagic feat in the game. It doesn't take long, it doesn't require tons of resources, and the exp costs aren't that bad. Whip up a couple of scrolls of restoration, one or two of the various "Remove" spells, and perhaps a scroll of some high level healing spell.

Then use all of your spell slots for what YOU want to cast. Just because your fellow gamers around the table want the cleric to be a walking med-pac and cure station doesn't mean that you need to be one. Work with them -- or just go around them. You're there to have fun also, and clerics are one of the best classes in the game for that.