The blessings of food, sleep, and social enjoyment are ordained of God
for his glory and our benefit, and it is for us to learn to use them
and not abuse them, that his Kingdom {283} may advance on the earth,
and we advance in it. 6:149.
_The Word of Wisdom_--This Word of Wisdom prohibits the use of hot
drinks and tobacco. I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not
mentioned therein; that is very true; but what were the people in the
habit of taking as hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and
coffee. We were not in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea
and coffee--the beverages in common use. And the Lord said hot drinks
are not good for the body nor the belly, liquor is not good for the
body or the belly, but for the washing of the body, etc. Tobacco is not
good, save for sick cattle, and for bruises and sores, its cleansing
properties being then very useful. 13:277.
I know that some say the revelations upon these points are not given by
way of commandment. Very well, but we are commanded to observe every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 13:3.
Now I want you should recollect--Bishops, Elders of Israel, High
Priests, Seventies, the Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency, and all
the House of Israel, hearken ye. O my people! keep the word of the
Lord, observe the Word of Wisdom, sustain one another, sustain the
household of faith, and let our enemies alone. 12:29.
Now, Elders of Israel, if you have the right to chew tobacco, you have
a privilege I have not; if you have a right to drink whisky, you have
a right that I have not; if you have a right to transgress the Word of
Wisdom, you have a right that I have not. 12:30.
I said to the Saints at our last annual Conference, the Spirit whispers
to me to call upon the Latter-day Saints to observe the Word of Wisdom,
to let tea, coffee, and tobacco alone, and to abstain from drinking
spirituous drinks. {284} This is what the Spirit signifies through me.
If the Spirit of God whispers this to his people through their leader,
and they will not listen nor obey, what will be the consequences of
their disobedience? Darkness and blindness of mind with regard to the
things of God will be their lot; they will cease to have the spirit of
prayer, and the spirit of the world will increase in them in proportion
to their disobedience until they apostatize entirely from God and his
ways. 12:118.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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