---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph F.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 4
number: 12
published: 1901-10
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Joseph F. Smith, "Editor’s Table," *Improvement Era* 4, no. 12 (October 1901): 943–950.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0412unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera0412unse
start_page: 943
end_page: 950
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-10)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0412unse
  publication_year: 1901
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1901, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Editor’s Table

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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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.

944 IMPRO VEMENT ERA

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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EDITOR'S TABLE. 945

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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946 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

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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EDITOR'S TABLE. 947

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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948 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

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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EDITOR'S TABLE. 949

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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950 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

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?