--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Lyman, Albert R. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 32 number: 8 published: 1929-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Albert R. Lyman, “The Forbidden Fruit,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 8 (June 1929): 702–702." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3208unse 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: improvementera3208unse start_page: 702 end_page: 702 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3208unse publication_year: 1929 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 1929, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Forbidden Fruit The Forbidden Fruit By Albert R. Lyman Our first parents were told in the Garden of Eden that if they partook of a certain fruit they would die. The scriptures tell us they were first to die as to things spiritual, and that the death of the body was to be inevitable even though it were delayed. Their partaking of that fruit was followed by a death-like numbing of their spiritual senses, and the agencies of decay began bearing them down to the grave. The Lord has required that we re- frain from certain things which, if we partake, will result in a deadening of our spiritual senses, and our claim to life will be materially weakened. With us, however, the law states the reward for observance, leaving its op- posite to be plainly implied. If we observe the Word of Wisdom we are to have health, wisdom, knowledge, endurance and to be passed by the de- stroying angel and not slain. Of those who break this law Pres ident Brigham Young said, "Dark- ness and blindness of mind with regard to the things of God will be their lot." President Joseph F. Smith said, "They are fault-finders and do not know what is the matter with them." Whatever the breaker of the Word of Wisdom may be, he is not what he would be if he observed that law. Often he is soured and disgruntled; through his blinded eyes he sees the Church going all wrong, and there is little use of trying to show him his error till he observes the law by which we may "receive wisdom and great treasures of knowledge." The Word of Wisdom is a law of life and light, as they who observe it will unhesitatingly testify. That the transgression of. this law brings darkness and death is amply proved by a careful survey of those who vio- late it. A Sweet Low Tone Solitude, and ever the stars Glow brighter in yonder deep. Lonely, I'm thinking of you, my love, Calmly I fall asleep. Silently shall fly the hours, While near me ever will seem Your guardian presence that shall bring A song within my dream — A sweet low tone that seems to be Your tender voice that comforts me — And in the desert's symphony I'm with you once again! May wood. Calif. Solitude, and only the stars For company through the night! Lonely I rest on the desert plain, Nothing below in sight. Silence oppressively holds A thrall o'er my yearning heart, Till nature's minstrelsy I hear A sweet low tone impart — A sweet low tone that seems to be Your happy voice that welcomes me- Again, dear heart, our home I see, I'm with you once again ! Joseph Longking Townsend