Counsel to Boys Engaged in Isolated Labor

COUNSEL TO BOYS ENGAGED
IN
ISOLATED LABOR. BY ELDER M. F. COWLEY, OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. While in attendance at one of our stake conferences, we observed on the streets a large number of boys smoking cigarettes. This not only at one time, but also between meetings and before the opening of the forenoon sessions. In commenting upon this pernicious habit, it was said that the ward in question and one other in the stake were notorious for cigarette smokers, a large percentage of the boys and men being guilty of this de- moralizing practice. Upon inquiry as to the cause, the answer was that many of the boys and young men followed the vocation of sheep-herding, and were thus thrown into a measure of seclusion, away from home and the benefits of an elevating and refining influence which usually attends home- life; and away from the social, spiritual and intellectual influences which attach to every well-regulated ward throughout the Church. Such influences are ever needed for the protection and for the welfare of the young. Because, like Abel and David, a boy is the shepherd of a flock, it does not follow that he must learn evil habits. The fact, how- ever, that he does, is proof of human weakness, and of the effects of environments over the human mind. The mind insists on being active in channels either for good or ill, and should, there- fore, be taken away and protected from sinful thoughts which lead to evil deeds. Perhaps no evil is more prevalent and popular with the boys than cigarette smoking, and very few things result

COUNSEL TO BOYS. 365 in greater harm to body and mind. Tobacco is a narcotic poison. It is claimed by physicians, men who have studied the human body, that the effects of tobacco are bad however it is used, in the pipe, the cigar, or in chewing; and worst of all is the bad effect of it in a paper cigarette. The paper itself is injurious, and adds to the evil of the tobacco. It would not seem a difficult task to convince young men that the tobacco habit is very injurious to them; and yet, the fact that so many are guilty of this practice would indicate that large numbers are not thus convinced, or they would not so grossly violate their convictions of right. The fact exists, nevertheless, that the tendency to evil is so strong, and the force of character in man so lacking, that human beings rush madly down the road to ruin quite conscious of being on that road. The world of men recognizes, by the testimony of human experience, the demonstrations of science, and teachings of learned men, that the tobacco habit is a great evil. In addition, Latter-day Saints are taught of God, by direct revelation that tobacco, strong and hot drinks, and ex- cessive use of animal food, are not good for man. Tobacco, the Lord says, "is not good for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill." That Latter-day Saints will disregard these divine words, indicates a lack of sincere conviction or devotion to their own professions. The Latter-day Saints, while suffering, from a natural point of view, the same evil results as others suffer arising from violating the Word of Wisdom, are under much greater condemnation, because the injunction to observe this law is from God, and not from man, and is given as a principle to be ob- served by all members of the Church; a rule of faith and practice "adapted to the capacity of the weak and weakest of all Saints who are or can be called Saints." By this language is conveyed the idea that any who may say that they cannot observe this principle are unworthy to be called the Saints of God. That the revelation was given first, not by commandment to be made a question of fellowship to those who fail in its observance, but as a word of counsel, a matter of wisdom, etc., does not justify the Saints in treating it with less respect than a direct commandment.

366 IMPROVEMENT ERA. When the Lord expresses his will, and points out what would please him, it is indeed an ungrateful and unwhorthy servant who will violate the Father's will and counsel, simply because it is not given by direct commandment. The word of the Lord to us is: "It is not meet that I should command in all things, for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward" (Doctrine and Cove- nants 58: 26). Then follows: "Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." We are, however, reminded that many years ago President Brigham Young, the mouth-piece of the Lord to this people, presented the Word of Wisdom as being now a commandment for our observance. We had been borne with for a long time, and had taken advantage, probably, of God's mercy, and the confidence he had reposed in our love and devotion to our heavenly Father. He has given us to understand, later, through his prophet, that this law must be observed, or be followed by the same divine disapproval ar.d condemnation as is the violation of any other of his statutes. Much of the tobacco habit, on the part of the young, is due to the bad example set them by their elder brethren. Young men should learn the truth, and be governed by it, no matter what may be the evil example of others, and regardless of who they may be who set the example of wrong-doing. Where young men are engaged in herding sheep, or at other isolated labor where idleness is possible, they should be determined to read good books, to engage in refining conversation, and to entertain pure and elevating thoughts. By this course, by the exercise of faith in the Lord, and by humble prayer, there will be little or no inclination to indulge in those vile habits that enervate the body, deaden the intellect, and drive from our young men the companion- ship of the Holy Spirit.