Selling Tobacco, Tea and Coffee

Selling Tobacco, Tea and Coffee By Fred L. W. Bennett The writer is a recent convert to "Mormonism" and a still more recent arrival in this country, and one of the things which has painfully surprised him is that "Mormon" merchants carry a line of tobacco, teas and coffee. Now, while some may think me hypercritical, I think there may be some excuse for the Latter-day Saint merchant living away from the Church carry- ing these articles (but of that I am not sure) ; but I can see none for those doing business right here in Zion; that is, if we are to take the Word of Wisdom seriously. If it is wrong to use an ar- ticle it must be equally wrong to make or supply that article. Whom do we blame for the liquor evil most? Why, the brewer and his retailers, and we aim to stop their business. If they pleaded that their goods were in demand, we should laugh at them; and yet some would accept that as a satisfactory defense of the Latter-day Saint who makes and sells other things which the Church condemns. Some with whom I have discussed this subject assert that as the articles I have mentioned cannot be regarded as so harmful or offensive as strong drinks, they ought not to be condemned so strongly. What a doctrine! If a thing is wrong, it is wrong. A good citizen will not break any law, and this surely ought to be equally true with the laws of the Kingdom of God! Others will remind you of the words "not by constraint" at the begin- ning of the revelation, as if that modifies it. But, if we regard it as advice only, are we to treat it with any less degree of re- spect? Can we spurn His advice any more than His command- ment and still retain His love and trust? I have traveled a great deal since I have been in this coun- try and the Latter-day Saint family which does not have some member, at least, who drinks tea or coffee, seems to be very rare, whilst a percentage have a "smoker" or two. I often wonder whether these persons really believe in revelation, and that our beloved Joseph Smith was a true Prophet. But whilst "Mor- mon" merchants and corporations continue to sell these "for- bidden fruits," sermons on the Word of Wisdom will have very little influence with the people. The "competition" argument is a heresy. If it held true, we ought not to look down upon a Latter-day Saint who keeps a saloon? But who would think of

798 IMPROVEMENT ERA making such a brother an officer of any kind in the Church, or even a member? Carried to its logical conclusion, we should permit a member of the Church to cater to any vicious tastes or abominations if he were in a business where these "side lines" would have to be carried on in order to meet competition! When one sells or advertises a thing, he is not only supplying a demand, he is helping to create one, and this should not be lost sight of in a discussion of this kind. If Latter-day Saint merchants would "cut out" the three articles mentioned, it would have a tremendous influence for good, and the time would soon come when the stopping of the sale of tobacco, at least, in Utah would be mooted. A thing must be put out of the pale of good society before you can talk of annihilating it. I hope we shall not wait for neighboring states to set us the example in this matter. The people have been told that if they will be honest with their God in the matter of tithings, etc., they shall be blessed here and now, as well as store up riches for themselves in heaven. A man who pays a full tithing would seem to be handi- capped in life's race when placed beside a man with no religious ties demanding a substantial portion of his income. The same applies to a missionary spending his time and means working for the Church whilst a neighbor in a similar profession or bus- iness stays with his calling. But does paying tithes or doing missionary work gratis place one at a disadvantage in this life? I have yet to find that it does. So, then, it is right to urge Lat- ter-day Saints to do these things. Well, if that is granted, let us not be afraid to do anything whatsoever that is right and de- manded by our faith. We must "Do what is right, Let the consequence follow." I must hasten to assure the merchant I am not condemning him alone. Buyers have obligations, too. In these days when so many Latter-day Saints fail to keep the Word of Wisdom, the merchant (even if he has considered it wrong to carry the arti- cles complained of, and many honestly do not) may well hesi- tate before observing the full letter of the law. I have heard of Latter-day Saint merchants who refused at first to handle tea, coffee, or tobacco, but they were compelled to do so or close their doors, so they contend; but I cannot think but that they became frightened and followed the majority before giving the plan a fair trial. There is a bishop at St. Charles, Idaho, who does not carry tobacco in his store at the present time. I have this on the authority of his son and a number of other persons who know him. All honor to him for his faith ! I hope he will become rich!

SELLING TOBACCO, TEA AND COFFEE 79* You wives and housekeepers, mothers in Israel, who desire to "train your children in the way they should go," our brethren in the merchant business will not do much on the lines I have indicated without your co-operation. The righting of this mat- ter is really in your hands. If your neighbor who keeps a storfe in your ward decides to drop the things condemned, will you stand by him? Do not complain if your boy smokes, if you do not do your part toward stopping the sale of the objectionable weed. I should like to see Latter-day Saint women form them- selves into a league and try to influence storekeepers to "drop" tobacco, at least. If they would do this, there would be many merchants who would gladly listen to them, for I do not believe our Church merchants like handling the stuff, but feel com- pelled to do so at present. Others would cut it out for com- mercial reasons only, for they would soon see that the store that continued to carry it would be in disfavor. There is one newspaper in Salt Lake City that refuses to publish tobacco ad- vertisements on principle. Are you supporting that paper — you know which it is — in preference to the others? If you are not, do so! and tell the other papers why. You mothers! Your power for good is unlimited. Will you exercise it? A