Editor’s Table

EDITOR'S TABLE.

MEANING OF THE WORD OF WISDOM.

BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.

There has been considerable discussion from time to time on
what is meant by the Word of Wisdom. Like the man who doesn't enjoy paying tithing, so the man who is loth to observe the Word of Wisdom, is always finding new meanings to the plain word of the law to excuse his short-comings. What is meant by hot drinks? This question is being con- stantly asked of the authorities, and it is often followed by ex- planations such as indicate that the questioner desires to ease his conscience of his fondness for drinking tea and coffee. The latest explanation that has come to my notice is this, that "hot drinks" do not refer to tea and coffee which are not hot in them- selves, but refer to really hot drinks, such as pepper, ginger, etc. That is the "hot drinks" of the Word of Wisdom, according to the latest interpretation. It is needless to say, to those who know my views, that I consider such an explanation mere subterfuge —non- sense of the rankest kind. In the "hot drinks" of the Word of Wisdom, tea and coffee are included. I do not stand alone in this view of the question, and, in order to set the matter at rest, as far as authentic and reliable information is concerned, the following sermon on this subject is reprinted from the Times and Seasons, June 1, 1842. It was delivered in Nauvoo, to a large and attentive

congregation by Patriarch Hyrum Smith, at one time counselor

.

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to the Prophet Joseph. that personally I know that the I testify

definition of the Word of Wisdom contained therein is correct, and as understood by the Prophet at that time, and as later de- fined by President Brigham Young. The discourse delivered by my father was pronounced in the editor's introduction as 'Very instructive, impressive and salutary," and I trust that even today it may prove effective in the destruction of false interpretations of the revealed word: President Hyrum Smith stated that there were many of the commands of God that seemed to be overlooked by this generation, and he was fearful that many of the Latter-day Saints in this re- spect were following their old traditions, and former practices of spiritualizing the word of God, and through a vain philosophy departing from the pure principles of eternal truth which God had given by revelation for the salvation of the human family, but that every word of God is of importance, whether it be the word contained in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, or in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, for "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." The principles that are taught in the Bible are pure, and ought to be adhered to, and if people adhere to that teaching, it will prove their salvation.The principles that are taught in the Book of Mormon are also pure, and holy and righteous, and will, if followed, lead men to God. And the principles that are taught in the book of Doctrine and Covenants are from God, they are principles of righteousness, they are given for a blessing to the human family, and the salvation, temporal and spiritual, of his saints; and that man who wantonly departs from any of the revelations of Jehovah, and treats lightly the word of God, whether contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, or the Bible, is

void of understanding; he is not wise concerning the doings of the Lord, the plan of salvation, the past dealings, present designs, or future purposes of the Almighty. The God of the armies of Israel is a wise God, he compre- hended the end from the beginning, and adapted his plans, his de- signs and teachings to the peculiar wants, the local situation, the exigencies of mankind, and the present and future good of the human family; and everything that he has designed to notice by

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way of instruction to the children of men is given by infinite wis- dom—by the intelligence of Jehovah, and if obeyed, when his designs shall be fully unravelled, it will be seen that there was wisdom in it beyond the comprehension of man in his present state. When God first made man upon the earth he was a different being entirely to what he now is. His body was strong, athletic, robust and healthy; his days were prolonged upon the earth; he lived nearly one thousand years; his mind was vigorous and active, and his intellectual faculties clear and comprehensive. But he has become degenerated; his life has dwindled to a span; disease preys upon his system; his body is enervated and feeble; and his mental and intellectual faculties are impaired and weakened. Man is not now that dignified, noble, majestic, honorable and mighty being that he was when he first proceeded from the hands of his Maker. The Lord has in his wise designs revealed to us his will. He has made known to us his future purposes. He has told us as did his ancient prophets that the earth shall be redeemed —that the curse shall be removed from it —that the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together —that the lion shall eat straw like the ox; — and that they shall not hurt or destroy — that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea — that man's days shall be as the days of a tree; that he shall live one thousand jears on the earth. This is the time of restoration of and it has got to be brought about by the wisdom and all things,

power of God, and the wisdom, obedience and faith of man com- bined. Everything has become degenerated from what it was in its

primitive state. God made man pure, but he has found out many inventions: his vices have become innumerable and his diseases multiplied. His taste has become vitiated and his judgment im- paired. He has fallen—fallen — fallen from that dignified state that he once occupied on the earth, and it needs a restorative that man has not in his possession, wisdom which is beyond the reach of human intellect, the power which human philosophy, talent and ingenuity cannot control. God only is acquainted with the fountain of action and the mainsprings of human events. He knows where

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disease is seated and what is the cause of it. He is also acquainted with the springs of health, the balm of Gilead, — of life. He knows what course to pursue to restore mankind to their pristine excel- lency and primitive vigor and health. He has appointed the Word of Wisdom as one of the engines to bring about this thing, to re- move the beastly appetites, the murderous disposition and the vitiated taste of man; to restore his body to health and vigor, and promote peace between him and the brute creation. It is one of the little wheels in God's designs, to help to regulate the great machinery, which shall eventually revolutionize the earth and bring about the restoration of all things, and when they are re- stored he will plant the tree of life, whose leaves shall be for the healing of the nations. The Lord has told us what is good for us to eat and to drink, and what is pernicious. But some of our wise philosophers, and some of our elders, too, pay no regard to it; they think it too little, too foolish for wise men to regard. Fools! Where is their wis- dom, philosophy and intelligence? From whence did they obtain their superior light? Their capacity and their power of reasoning was given them by the great Jehovah. If they have any wisdom, they obtained it from him, and have grown so much wiser than God that they are going to instruct him in the path of duty, and to tell him what is wise and what is foolish. They think it too small for him to condescend to tell men what will be nutritious or what will be unhealthful. Who made the corn, the wheat, the rye, and all the vegetable substances? And who was it that or- ganized man and constituted him as he is found? Who made his stomach and his digestive organs, and prepared proper nutriment for his system, that the juices of his body might be supplied and his form be invigorated by the kind of food which the laws of nature and the laws of God have said would be good for man? And has God made his food and provided it for the use of man, and shall he be ashamed to speak of the work of his hands? Has he become so fantastical, so foolish, so weak and effeminate that it has be- come impolitic for him to tell what is the best distribution to make of the work of his hands? shame! let it not be heard among the saints. Let the man who inculcates such principles hide his face. We are told by some that circumstances alter the

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revelations of God! Tell me what circumstance would alter the ten commandments? They were given by revelation— given as a law to the children of Israel. Who has a right to alter that law? Some think that they are too small for God to notice, and we have got so high, so bloated out that we cannot condescend to notice things that God has ordained for our benefit? or have we got so weak that we are not fit to be called saints? for the Word of Wis- dom is adapted to the capacity of all that are or can be called saints. Listen not to the teachings of any man, or any elder who says the Word of Wisdom is of no moment, for such a man will eventually be overthrown. These are principles that I have always acted upon, that I have always practiced, and they are what my family practices. They are what Brother Hyrum has always con- tended for, and what I now contend for, and I know that nothing but an unwavering, undeviating course can save a man in the kingdom of God. The Lord has told us that strong drinks are not good. Who is it that will say they are, when the Lord says they are not?

That man who says, I can drink wine or strong drink and it will not hurt me, is not wise. Bat some will say, I know that it did me good, for I was fatigued and feeble on a certain occasion and it revived me, and I was invigorated thereby and that is sufficient

proof for me. It may be for you, but it would not be for a wise man, for every spirit of this kind will only produce a greater languor when its effects cease to operate upon the human body. But you know that you are benefited. Yes; so does the man who has mortgaged his property know that he is relieved from his present embarrassments, but his temporary relief only binds the cords of bondage more severely around him. The Lord has not ordained strong drinks for the belly, but for the washing of the body. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but as an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. Tobacco is a nauseous, stinking, abominable thing, and I am surprised that any human being should think of using it. For an elder especially to eat or smoke it is a disgrace— he is not fit for the office, he ought first to learn to keep the Word of Wisdom and then to teach others. God will not prosper the man who uses it. Again, hot

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drinks are not for the body or belly. There are many who wonder what this can mean, whether it refers to tea or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea and coffee. Why is it that we are so dull and languid? It is because we break the Word of Wisdom, disease preys upon our systems, our understandings are darkened, and we do not comprehend the things of God: the devil takes advantage of us, and we fall into temptation. Not only are they injurious in their tendency and baneful in their effects, but the importation of foreign products might be the means of thousands of our people being poisoned at a future time through the advantage that an enemy might take of us, if we made use of these things that are spoken of as being evil. And be it remembered that this instruc- tion is given "in consequence of evils that do exist in the hearts of conspiring men." "And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man. Every herb in the season thereof and every fruit in the season thereof. All these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh of the beasts and fowls of the air, I the Lord hath ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving. Nevertheless, they should be used sparingly and it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man, but for the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; and these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger." Let men attend to these instructions; let them use the things ordained of God; let them be sparing of the life of animals. It is pleasing, saith the Lord, that flesh be used only in times of winter or times of famine. And why be used in times of famine? Because all domesticated animals would naturally die, and may as well be

made use of by man as not. "All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground. Nevertheless, wheat for man and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild

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drinks; as also other grain. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel, and marrow to their bones and shall find wisdom, and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; and I the Lord give unto them a promise that the destroy- ing angel shall pass them by as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." Let these things be adhered to; let the saints be wise; let us lay aside our folly and abide by the commandments of God; so shall we be blessed of the great Jehovah in time and in eternity. We shall be healthy, strong and vigorous. We shall be enabled to resist disease, and wisdom will crown our councils; our progeny will become mighty, and will rise up and call us blessed. The daughters of Zion will be beautiful, and her sons the joy of the whole earth. We shall prepare ourselves for the purposes of Jehovah, for the kingdom of God, for the appearence of Jesus in his glory; out of Zion shall come the perfection of beauty. God will shine; Zion will be exalted and become the praise of the whole earth.

PRESIDENT WILLIAM McKlNLEY.

On the 19th of September, the departed President William McKinley's body was laid to rest in the tomb at Canton, his old home in Ohio. Seventy million souls, in our united nation, shed tears of sor- row, and all the kingdoms of the earth bowed low their heads in sympathy. Never before in the history of this country has a man died more universally beloved. The North, the South, the East, the West, as one united whole mourned in sincerest sorrow his un- timely taking away. William McKinley, the obedient youth, the brave patriot, the the studious lawyer, the exemplary husband, the great statesman, Christian gentleman! His was a great, an ideal life! From youth

to mature manhood, his career is an inspiration for the young men His It will grow brighter, too, as the years pass. of America.

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way led safely and soundly from one honor to another, higher and higher, every trust reposed in him being executed with true and unfaltering discretion, fidelity and integrity. By such course, at length, in the bloom of a strong manhood, he reached the Presi- dency, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the greatest and best nation on earth! He stands out first among the few men of the world who are truly patterns of domestic virtue, and no enemy's reviling could ever cross the threshold of his home. Here all criticism must cease, and the bitterestenemy turn with words of praise. He loved his country and his home with that imperish- able love which is founded in fear of God, patriotism and virtue. Triumphantly, but conservatively, he led our nation's first

steps in its heretofore untrodden road as a world-power of sur- passing greatness; and, on the day before his cruel, cowardly wounding, stood, a patriot statesman, on the pedestal of eloquent oratory, pointing out the peaceful onward course, — his bright intellect sweeping aside obstructions, and peering deeply into the vistas of the future, impenetrable to lesser 'minds, until the way to leaders of the years to come seems blazoned with light and easy to travel. His wise words are as a power of strength, clearing the road of state for the prosperous centuries of freedom and prog- ress for our united country, yet to be. May we be blest with many such men to follow in this out- lined way; to respect right, justice, mercy, liberty, equality, and the love and fear of God, for in these only is there safety; and may the dastard hand raised against these in any way, falter and wither, and' be driven from our land! Then shall we all join in our lamented, but ever living President's song, "Nearer my God to Thee;" and, with him, be able in all things to exclaim: "It is God's way; his will be done."

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. Withdrawals from The Church. An elder presiding over a mission asks this question: Does a notification of withdrawal from The Church warrant us in striking a person's name from the records, or is some action or cause necessary?