Why Keep the Word of Wisdom?

WHY I KEEP THE WORD OF WISDOM. BY S. F. KIMBALL. Arizona's rainy season generally occurs during the summer months, and after the water has subsided, the farmers in that section of the country usually spend a few cays repairing dams that have been damaged by the floods. One hot summer day I was hauling rocks for the Mesa dam, on the Salt river. I he wind was blowing quite hard at the time. The rjshing of the waters over the dam, mingling its voice with the meaning and sighing of the wind, almost makes one believe that he hears beautiful music, or human beings crying, singing or talking. I had just driven my team into the river with a load of rocks and unloaded them, and was in the act of taking a chew of tobacco, when, to my great surprise, I heard a voice saying, "Don't chew any more tobacco." I looked around to see if I could see anyone close by, and then drove away for another load. While doing so I felt like a big simpleton, for allowing myself to believe such • apparent nonsense as hearing a voice repeat those words, °ince there was no one within a hundred yards of me. I gathered up another load, and drove back to the same place, and threw it onto the brush, on the dam. I had come to the conclusion that the Arizona wind and water had perpetrated a huge joke on me. My tobacco was a great comfort to me, and I felt that I did not wish to be deceived by the elements of that hot and sultry country. I then looked all around again, to make sure that no one was near, and just as I was biting off a chew, I heard the same voice, only in a little louder tone, saying, "Never take another chew of tobacco as long as you live." I hardly knew what to think, but said to myself, it is not the

WHY I KEEP THE WORD OF WISDOM. 76fl wind anH water this time, but really and truly a human voice. In years gone by I was not a man to believe in such things, and had been severe in my criticism of others in relation to such matters; but now I had something to think about sure enough. I continued my work until noon, at the same time discussing this subject in my mind. I said nothing to the boys about it during the dinner hour, although they could see that I was considerably agitated over something. I knew that bv telling them about it, it would make me the laughing stock of the whole crowd. In the afternoon it was hard for me to keep from taking a chew, and - there was quite a strong influence working with me by this time. It was bringing all kinds of arguments to bear upon this subject, and trying to convince me that it was my imagination pure and simple, and that the wind and water combined, had a good deal to do with it. There were other things that made it hard for me to overcome this habit. I had an appetite for liquor, but had not touched it for about two years, and was determined never to taste it again, as long as I lived. Under these circumstances I felt that it would be more than I could bear, to put my old friend tobacco behind me. I understood what a curse the liquor habit is, and felt that if I could overcome it, I would be doing very well. I believed that by using tobacco it would help me' to overcome the greater evil. When I had driven my team into the river with my last load, that afternoon, I had convinced myself that I had heard no voice at all, and had also made up my mind to take a chew of tobacco, if it were the last act of my life. The gnawing, craving and hankering after it was almost driving me crazy. I then took it out of my pocket for the third time, and just as I was going to take a chew, I heard the same voice again, plainly and distinctly, saying, "Solomon, never touch tobacco again as long as you life." I made up my mind to do as I was told, let the consequences be what they may. I said nothing about it to anyone, except my wife, who was a good Latter-day Saint. From that time on, the craving for tobacco gradually left me, but the appetite for liquor began to get in its deadly work, just at a time when I needed help and encouragement the most. It seemed to me like the powers of darkness had begun to gather around me, thicker than ever. For

770 IMPROVEMENT ERA. two years I had made the effort of my life to ^overcome my weaknesses, and live the life of a Latter-day Saint, but it seemed like fate was against me. I commenced to fast and pray and humble myself mightily before the Lord, crying unto him day and night, to deliver me from this cursed viper. I had to. use all the energy and will power that I could possibly muster in order to resist this terrible disease that was getting the upper hand of me. There was no Keeley cure in those days, and we were left to ourselves, unless we could get help from above. I would dream of drinking it nights, and thirst for it in the daytime. One evening, after fasting for twenty-four hours, and spending a goodly portion of that time in praying to the Lord for help, his Spirit whispered these words to me, "If you will observe the Word of Wisdom, the liquor habit will leave you.'' This to me was like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky. I had been drinking a good deal of strong tea and coffee up to this time, and it seemed so strange to me afterwards, that I should overlook so important a revelation as was the Word of Wisdom upon this subject. If I had obeyed its teachings when I left Pinal and joined the Mesa ward, two years before, what a blessing it would have been to me in many respects! I obeyed the instructions received, and from that day until the present time, I have never drunk a drop of intoxicants of any description, neither have I used tea, coffee, or tobacco. In less than two months after this, I could master all these habits pretty well, and in less than a year, I had no desire for them whatever. Sometimes I would drink a cup or two of chocolate, but soon found out that it, too, as I believe, belongs to the same family, and I have never drunk it since. By using a good deal of tea, coffee and tobacco, and drinking the ,Salt River water during the hot summer months, Bright's disease took hold of my system. It had gotten such a hold upon me that I was compelled to leave Arizona, in order to save my life. The physician who has been treating me for this malady for the last four years, told me that I would have been dead years ago, had it not been for my temperate habits. This doctor, who is a non-' 'Mormon," refuses to treat his patients for kidney troubles, unless they keep the Word of Wisdom, not even allowing them to eat meat. By keeping the

WHY I KEEP THE WORD OF WISDOM. 771 Word of Wisdom my life has been spared probably twelve or fifteen years, which has enabled me to support and educate my family. I have also lived to take a prominent part in my father's family affairs, performing a good mission in that direction. It has given me an opportunity to search the scriptures, and get a fair understanding of the principles of "Mormonism." And last, but not least, it has made me more charitable towards God's children who are weighed down with the weaknesses of the flesh, and who need a helping hand above all others. I have heard mothers blaming their parents, or husbands, or somebody else, for the liquor habit that has been fastened upon their children. They are wrong in doing this, as they themselves are to blame to a great extent. They are perhaps continually setting before their children things to eat and drink that are creating these appetites. If parents would bring their children up to keep the Word of Wisdom, and set the example themselves, they would never be bothered over such things. Meat is a stimulant, and to eat it, especially during the summer months, will create an appetite for liquor, just the same as tea, coffee or tobacco will. On account of my false pride I have kept my personal experience in relation to such matters a secret until now, but feel that I would be doing wrong if I did so any longer. There are thousands of good people who are victims of this disease, and are being continually tormented by these unnatural appetites. The Word of Wisdom is a perfect cure for them, and it is as free as the air that we breathe. Salt Lake City, Utah.