Embracing Wholeness: Understanding Resistance and Enhancing Intimacy in LDS Relationships
As Latter-day Saints, we can apply Carl Gustav Jung's wisdom to our relationships, seeking to enhance intimacy and personal growth by acknowledging and integrating the aspects of ourselves that we may be resisting. Resistance is a normal human response to change, discomfort, or perceived threats, often appearing as avoidance, denial, or procrastination. By resisting or suppressing the negative aspects of ourselves, we inadvertently give them more control over our lives and impact our LDS relationships.
However, embracing and confronting our resistance can lead to personal growth and increased intimacy in our relationships. By acknowledging, understanding, and accepting the aspects of ourselves that we have been resisting, we can foster self-awareness, compassion, and a deeper understanding of our true selves. Cultivating self-awareness, approaching our shadow with curiosity and compassion, discovering healthy ways to express and explore our shadow, and endeavoring to incorporate our shadow into our self-concept are some steps to welcome the shadow and nurture personal growth in LDS couples.
By acknowledging and integrating the shadow, we can transform resistance into growth, ultimately leading to more balanced and fulfilling lives and LDS relationships. As Latter-day Saints, embracing our resistance can be an invaluable catalyst for change and self-discovery in our journey to improve LDS relationship intimacy.
EMBRACING WHOLENESS: UNDERSTANDING RESISTANCE AND ENHANCING INTIMACY IN LDS RELATIONSHIPS
Introduction
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, famed for his invaluable insights into the human psyche, opined, "What you resist not only persists, but will grow in size." For Latter-day Saints, incorporating this philosophy into our relationships opens the door to increased closeness and personal evolution. It's achieved by recognizing and merging the elements of our personalities that we may initially resist. Dive into Stanford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy for an exhaustive study of Jung's oeuvre. For further reading on Jung's work, you can check out Stanford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
The Role of Resistance in LDS Relationships
Resistance is a normal human response to change, discomfort, or perceived threats, often appearing as avoidance, denial, or procrastination. Jung's observation highlights that when we resist specific thoughts, feelings, or experiences, we unintentionally empower them, causing them to persist and possibly grow in magnitude.
Central to this idea is the concept of the "shadow," a term introduced by Jung to describe the repressed or disowned aspects of our psyche. The shadow represents parts of ourselves that we might view as negative, shameful, or unacceptable. By resisting or suppressing these aspects, we inadvertently give them more control over our lives and impact our LDS relationships. If you're interested in a comprehensive understanding of the "shadow" concept, you can refer to this Verywell Mind article.
The Gift of Resistance for Personal Growth in LDS Couples
Although it may seem counterintuitive, embracing and confronting our resistance can lead to personal growth and increased intimacy in our relationships. When we deny or suppress parts of ourselves, we hinder our potential and create internal conflict. The paradox is that by facing what we resist, we can move beyond it, fostering self-awareness, compassion, and a deeper understanding of our true selves. For guidance on strengthening relationships within the LDS context, please check this resource.
Welcoming the Shadow to Improve LDS Relationship Intimacy
Jung believed that by integrating the shadow, we could achieve psychological wholeness and a more balanced personality. This process involves acknowledging, understanding, and accepting the aspects of ourselves that we have been resisting. Here are some steps to welcome the shadow and nurture personal growth in LDS couples:
Self-awareness: Cultivate self-awareness to recognize and understand our resistance. Pay attention to recurring patterns, emotional triggers, and areas of discomfort in your life. These may point to unresolved issues or repressed aspects of your psyche that affect your LDS relationship.
Compassion: Approach your shadow with curiosity and compassion. Instead of judging or condemning these aspects of yourself, seek to understand the root causes and the role they play in your life and LDS relationship.
Expression: Discover healthy ways to express and explore your shadow. This could involve journaling, creating art, or participating in open and honest conversations with trusted friends or a therapist.
Integration: Endeavor to incorporate your shadow into your self-concept. Recognize that these aspects are a part of you and that they hold valuable insights and lessons for personal growth and LDS relationship enhancement.
For an interesting perspective on the resistance in the context of psychological growth, visit this Psychology Today article.
Conclusion
Jung's insight that "what you resist not only persists, but will grow in size" serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of facing our inner obstacles and embracing our authentic selves. By acknowledging and integrating the shadow, we can transform resistance into growth, ultimately leading to more balanced and fulfilling lives and LDS relationships. As Latter-day Saints, we understand the importance of continual progression, and embracing our resistance can be an invaluable catalyst for change and self-discovery in our journey to improve LDS relationship intimacy. For professional insights into how therapy can help with shadow work, refer to this GoodTherapy article.
How Can I Resist Pornography?
How Can I Resist Pornography?
The following is a resource for June 13, 2021, Young Men and Young Women lesson discussing pornography as part of the Come Follow Me curriculum. Here's the lesson: How Can I Resist Pornography?
Our natural affections are planted in us by the Spirit of God, for a wise purpose; and they are the very main-springs of life and happiness—they are the cement of all virtuous and heavenly society—they are the essence of charity, or love; and therefore never fail, but endure forever. – Essential Parley P. Pratt, Chapter 10 “Intelligence and Affection”
… it is important not to label even intensive or habitual use of pornography as an addiction because that does not accurately describe the circumstances or the full nature of the required repentance and recovery. Having a better understanding of where a person is in the process will also allow a better understanding of what action is necessary to recover. Elder Oaks What do I need to understand about the scope of pornography use?
***Authors Note: This lesson is designed to meet the needs of a diverse audience and forums; adults, children, leadership, Sunday School, Elder Quorum, Relief Society, Firesides, etc. Please prayerfully select the sections and content/sections you believe are MOST applicable to the audience and purpose of your lesson. Due to the complexity and frequent misconceptions around this topic, I’ve intentionally included a comprehensive resource. There is NO expectation for ALL the material listed below to be covered in a brief 15-30 min lesson, please plan accordingly.***
This resource is divided into the following sections:
Due to the nature of this particular lesson on pornography and chastity, I offer a background of my ‘why’ for providing this resource. This Background section is NOT needed for the lesson but many might find it helpful and relatable. If you want to skip to the actual lesson prep section, scroll down to “How Can I Resist Pornography?” or click the link in the menu.
Background - 'The Why'
No greater responsibility can rest upon any man (or woman) than to be a teacher of God’s children. — Elder David O. McKay, Conference Report, Oct. 1916, 57.
Without a doubt, I’ve experienced the greatest insights, edification, and lifting up of souls when I approach teaching with this sense of great responsibility. There is a beauty that results when one pours their heart, mind, and soul into studying the teachings of Christ. In spite of mortal limitations and weaknesses, thoughts are guided by the spirit in a way that edifies and draws the teacher and student closer to God. Anyone who has taught the gospel of Christ has most likely had this experience. It changes your life in some way each time it happens. This edification comes from one’s prayerful guidance and spiritual influence. At times the spirit takes you beyond the provided lesson material or guides you in a direction that builds on the basic concepts presented. I testify that there is no greater calling than to be a teacher. There is no more universal way to emulate Christ than to honor the sacred opportunities to teach.
In the following, I’m going to provide real examples (names changed) of how teaching from a place of hope, clarity, and love has a more positive and lasting effect on souls than teaching with fear.
Rachel (F54): "Since joining ARP five years ago, my issues with porn have increased. I’m so confused. I don’t want this filth in my life, but I can’t seem to go more than a few weeks at a time without slipping. If my faith and ARP can’t help me, is it too late for me?"
Caleb (M16): Came in feeling absolutely hopeless. “I have been doing everything the bishop said I should, and it makes no difference," he said. He recounted hearing the same counsel from his bishop and parents over and over: read your scriptures, memorize hymns, pray, try harder, think of something different, etc. Through sobs, he talked about praying that these feelings and desires would just go away so he wouldn’t look at porn anymore. What started as 5 to 10 minute prayers had become one to two hour-long desperate pleadings that his “temptations and desires” would just go away. When prayer didn’t work to eliminate these feelings, his faith began to wane. He truly struggled as he first began to doubt himself and then God. He was at the end of his rope.
David (M48): "Help me please, I don’t know what to do, I’m scared. We have spent almost all our retirement ($50,000+) on one of the best porn addiction treatment programs available. But at best, I still struggle with porn use as I did prior to treatment, but if I’m honest with myself it’s probably worse now. But no one knows. I’m afraid to tell my wife. Because if the best treatment can’t help me, what does that mean about me?"
Jordan (M15): "I’ve destroyed my chances of marrying my future wife and I have disappointed my children. What’s the point of even going on living anymore? I can’t stop looking at porn and I don’t want to become a sexual predator."
Allison (F34): Feeling the years of struggle weighing on her and wondering if her faith was ever real, she had followed every piece of counsel and still felt that hope was wearing thin. Before giving up, she wanted to try one last time to get professional help, as a final reassurance to herself that she had done everything she could before calling it quits. She recognized that doing more of the same wasn’t working, and decided to include a therapist in her recovery process. She found me in a listing of Latter-day Saint counselors and reached out. Allison bravely explained her situation in raw honesty. She was out of options. Her leaders didn’t know what else to offer her other than the counsel to pray, study, and have “more faith.” But she was already doing all of those things without success. She simply didn’t know what else she could possibly do.
Scott Cannon (M30s): Stood in front of his congregation and spoke openly about his lifelong struggle with pornography: a struggle that he saw as an addiction and, because he believed what he was told at church, a struggle that would likely ruin his life.
“By age 16 when I looked at myself in the mirror I saw someone no good Mormon girl would ever marry," Cannon said over the pulpit. "I saw someone who was losing the battle with Satan. I hated myself. I hated what I had become. I regretted that I had ever been born.”
Cannon says it was a kind of on-again/off-again relationship with pornography. There were periods of months and years where he successfully avoided it. He began hoping that when it came his time to die and meet God, it would happen during one of those clean streaks. That thinking led him to a very dangerous conclusion.
“I realized that my best and perhaps only option would be to choose for myself when I would go to meet God," said Cannon.
He was suicidal. And then he kind of snapped out of it. He started doing research of his own and discovered that from a clinical perspective, pornography was not nearly as destructive as he had thought. Stigma Of Pornography Brings Consequences Of Its Own
Meredith (F43): Found out her husband was viewing pornography. She had sounded frantic on the phone, so I made room for her in my schedule that same night.
“My entire marriage feels like a lie,” Meredith tearfully shared. The evening before, she had picked up his phone to look something up online since she had left her phone upstairs. As she typed her search into the address bar, the browser started suggesting pornographic sites. She checked the browser history and found various websites that he had been visiting repeatedly.
She continued, her words full of confusion and anger, “I prayed all day about how to approach him about it. I tried to talk with him when he got home about what I had found last night. He got so upset and just kept denying it over and over. I finally grabbed his phone from him and showed him the browser history. He got quiet and said that he has been looking at porn all through our marriage and was masturbating to it too. We’ve been married for nine years! This has been going on for nine years!”
She thought she had a strong, solid marriage and an absolute best friend. He was always a doting husband, and she never felt like anything was amiss. He was a fantastic father who set a good example for the kids and was always there for them. She seemed unable to make sense of the discrepancy between the way she had always regarded him and what she was now learning about him.
“How could this happen?” Meredith demanded. “How can he just throw away our temple marriage like this?” She suddenly felt trapped in a marriage with someone she couldn’t trust and feared how this would affect her and their kids’ future. She wondered if it was best for her and the kids to leave the “dangerous” influences of her husband's behavior. She desperately wanted to feel hopeful but couldn’t see how to, based on the damage she believed pornography caused to a person.
What do these real-life examples have in common? They were all taught the ‘harms’ of pornography in their lessons on chastity in church. But never HOW to have thriving, loving relationships that had the skills to navigate difficult topics like pornography use.
They are not exceptions, they are not alone. As a mental health therapist specializing in the treatment of porn/sex issues, I can tell you that no one is immune to these unfortunate and false views. Bishops, Relief Society Presidents, youth, parents, these unchristlike perspectives deny the atonement and harm individuals and families more than viewing porn harms the individual and family. Having worked with leaders throughout the world, helping them to address the problem of pornography in their Wards and Branches, I can tell you firsthand how destructive these views are.
Now compare the experiences of those above with these real-life examples.
Leanne is a wife of 31 years: When my husband and I started the journey of turning towards each other in all of the aspects of our lives and began to create a truly intimate marriage, the “need” for my husband to turn to porn left him. And my “need” to constantly check up on him left me. And I was healed from being stuck in betrayal trauma. The connection that we made in turning towards one another to proactively create what we really wanted for our marriage was the answer to porn not being an issue for either of us from that point forward. Turning towards each other healed both of us. Read and listen to her full experience here: How Desiring to Understand My Husband’s Struggle Led to Healthy Dialogue and Healing and Discovering My Own Sexuality
Allison (F34): "The moment I changed my prayers from 'help me to stop viewing porn' to 'help me understand my sexual desires,' there was an immediate change that came over me. It felt freeing and I felt God’s love pour over me in a way I haven’t felt before. The desire to view porn melted away, some temptation but nothing like before, it was easily manageable. I’m no longer scared of porn."
David (M48): "It seems so obvious now. I was giving porn way too much power by always framing my strategy around avoiding temptation and the consequences of porn. However, when I turned to the Lord and talked with him about my sexual desires, it felt very weird at first, and like something was trying to keep me from doing it. Maybe the adversary, maybe the years of addiction treatment, I’m not sure. But once I pushed through the awkward, it was like a sense of clarity and hope I’d been longing for all this time. The temptation hasn’t left completely, but the more I learn about my body and my desires the easier it gets."
Again, these are just a few examples of how teaching correct principles in a christ-like way empowers people to their full potential. Unfortunately, in the hopes to ‘warn’ of potential dangers, many end up only teaching, embellishing, or pulling from the worst examples. Instead of focusing on how to learn of our desires and including God in that process, the teaching focus is overcome by fear and an “avoid at all cost” mentality. As Carl Jung put it, “what you resist not only persists, but will grow in size”!
Unfortunately, I believe this particular lesson; “How Can I Resist Pornography?” is similar to the chewed-up bubble gum, fence with a nail, or the old wedding dress lessons many of us adults experienced growing up. Let us learn from the past and refocus on the central message of Jesus Christ.
The hope with this particular lesson resource is that it will help each of you with that sacred process of preparing to teach and delivering this message in a way that is in harmony with the doctrine of Christ -- one that fosters hope in the recipient, and prepares them to address the challenge of pornography in their life.
It’s impossible to provide all the right answers and information in a lesson written for a general worldwide audience and in a comparatively very short time frame. Most will only have 15-25 mins to deliver a core message -- and for a topic as big as pornography and chastity, it’s critical that core truths and a message of love is shared clearly in that invaluable amount of time. I assure you, just like you remember the scary, fear-based chastity lessons of your youth, these children will remember these 15-25 minute chastity or porn lessons for the rest of their lives. Therefore, this is the opportunity for you to make a Christlike impression that will fortify these youth (and yourself) for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, the resources the Church offers are not always ideal, and we shouldn’t expect the Church to provide for ALL our lesson preparation. Elder Ballard has expressed his concern that we as Latter-day Saints "expect too much from Church leaders" and has strongly encouraged us TO SEEK out experts, even outside the church. He said;
…it is important to remember that I am a General Authority, but that does not make me an authority in general!
My calling and life experiences allow me to respond to certain types of questions. There are other types of questions that require an expert in a specific subject matter. This is exactly what I do when I need an answer to such questions: I seek help from others, including those with degrees and expertise in such fields.
I worry sometimes that members expect too much from Church leaders and teachers—expecting them to be experts in subjects well beyond their duties and responsibilities. The Lord called the apostles and prophets to invite others to come unto Christ—not to obtain advanced degrees in ancient history, biblical studies, and other fields that may be useful in answering all the questions we may have about scriptures, history, and the Church. Our primary duty is to build up the Church, teach the doctrine of Christ, and help those in need of help...
If you have a question that requires an expert, please take the time to find a thoughtful and qualified expert to help you. There are many on this campus and elsewhere who have the degrees and expertise to respond and give some insight to most of these types of questions.
Fortunately, the Lord provided this counsel for those asking questions:
Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
If you have a question that requires an expert, please take the time to find a thoughtful and qualified expert to help you. There are many on this campus and elsewhere who have the degrees and expertise to respond and give some insight to most of these types of questions.
Now let’s turn our attention to a few of the questions you have submitted to me. I reviewed them to cover as broadly as possible the same topics mentioned many different times. Questions and Answers Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles November 14, 2017
How Can I Resist Pornography? - Outline
Due to the complexity, misinformation, and sensitivity of this topic please consider approaching this lesson in the following ways;
- Spirit of prayer and fasting;
As you seek the guidance and wisdom of the spirit, your mind and heart will be able to decipher truth from error and teach this topic. You will also know how to present this lesson in a tone of love that will be the most effective in helping the recipient follow the covenant path.
- Start class with YM/YW Theme and Counsel Together
- Review the section on Love Versus Fear
- Prayerfully select which resources to prepare with and discuss with class;
The resources provided in this lesson are intended only as preparation material. It’s impossible to cover all the resources and topics, in the time allotted. Therefore, prayerfully select the concepts you believe are best for your participants. Also, if you haven’t already read through the Background - 'The Why', doing so might help you prepare for this lesson.
- Optional: Section Quotes About Marital Intimacy and Addressing Concerns is an additional resource to help navigate potential concerns.
LOVE VERSUS FEAR
A better way to teach is with love. Undoubtedly, each of your YM or YW will be uncomfortable talking about chastity and pornography. You might even be uncomfortable teaching this lesson. Embrace the awkward with love. Unfortunately, this awkwardness is a result of teaching this topic out of fear, not love.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf made this profound observation when he stated in General Conference;
People who are fearful may say and do the right things, but they do not feel the right things. They often feel helpless and resentful, even angry. Over time these feelings lead to mistrust, defiance, even rebellion. Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
Frequently, Latter-day Saints attend therapy to address their pornography use after years of working with their Bishop, Stake President, or attending ARP or another 12-step program. In nearly 100% of these cases, their struggle to succeed is a result of fear-based sexual health, chastity lessons, or the recovery program they are using. Elder Uchtdorf further cautions the use of fear, even if it seems ‘effective’;
It is true that fear can have a powerful influence over our actions and behavior. But that influence tends to be temporary and shallow. Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts, and it will never transform us into people who love what is right and who want to obey Heavenly Father. Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
Therefore, please prayerfully consider how fear is influencing your understanding of pornography and how you can follow the counsel of President Uchtdorf by teaching “a better way” with love.
My message has two purposes today: The first is to urge us to contemplate and consider the extent to which we use fear to motivate others—including ourselves. The second is to suggest a better way. Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
Counsel Together
Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes
At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own. (see General handbook, (10.2), (11.2),ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.
Live the gospel. What recent experiences have strengthened our testimonies?
Care for those in need. Who needs our help and prayers? What do we feel impressed to do to help them?
Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we be a light to family members or friends who don’t share our beliefs?
Unite families for eternity. How can we show more love and support for our families and make a positive difference in our homes?
At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:
Testify of the principles taught.
Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.
Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme
I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.
With all my heart, might, mind, and strength, I will love God, keep my covenants, and use His priesthood to serve others, beginning in my own home.
As I strive to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, I will qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy of the gospel.
I will prepare to become a diligent missionary, loyal husband, and loving father by being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
I will help prepare the world for the Savior’s return by inviting all to come unto Christ and receive the blessings of His Atonement.
Young Women Theme
I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.
I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.
Lesson Activity and Discussion
A variety of discussion topics are provided below, prayerfully select the discussion topics you believe will best meet the needs of your class.
- Assign your YM/YW to watch Changing the narrative around the addiction story, LDS Neuroscientist Cameron Staley Ph.D. in preparation to discuss how we can have a more loving and Christ-like approach to pornography.
- How does Cameron Staley Ph.D. suggest we change the narrative around pornography use?
- Does this feel like a more loving, inviting, and encouraging approach? What about it feels more loving?
- How do you feel this approach will improve your relationship with yourself, your Heavenly Parents, your future spouse, and your future children?
- Have class review and discuss Why Was Corianton’s Sin So Serious?
- How can understanding the doctrine in the Book of Mormon correctly help us to follow the covenant path and avoid fear and sexual shame?
Sexual sin was NOT equivalent to “shedding innocent blood and denying the Holy Ghost.” Rather, it was the act of leading others into apostasy through sinful behavior that was, in Alma’s view, next to shedding innocent blood and denying the Holy Ghost in seriousness. Given that he himself was once guilty of that particular crime (Mosiah 27; Alma 36), Alma’s pleading with Corianton to repent is all the more powerful (Alma 39:9–13).
see also related articles;
- In his article Recovering from the Trap of Pornography, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Oaks warns against calling pornography viewing an ‘addiction’.
Also see the Churches offical page on NOT calling pornography use as an addiction: What do I need to understand about the scope of pornography use?
- What does Elder Oaks say is the risk of labeling someone as a porn addict?
Answer could include:
“… it is important not to label even intensive or habitual use of pornography as an addiction because that does not accurately describe the circumstances or the full nature of the required repentance and recovery. Having a better understanding of where a person is in the process will also allow a better understanding of what action is necessary to recover.”
- How might calling something an addiction prevent someone from repenting and having hope in the atonement?
- In the official Church resource "What do I need to understand about the scope of pornography use?" Instructs us to NOT call pornography use an "Addiction". What reasons does it give for this requests? What does this resource say should be considered in assessing the serioiusness of the pornography use? Why is considering these points of assessment critical in supporting the individual?
Answer could include:
"As you encourage individuals to understand their use of pornography as something more than just a sign of moral weakness, they can determine what, if any, additional resources they need. For example, pornography use usually has several contributing factors (such as biological, psychological, social, and spiritual). Resources needed will depend upon the severity of individual’s behavior and how he or she is dealing with the issue."
Frequency
Frequency refers to how often an individual engages in the behavior. Sporadic viewing of pornography indicates a milder problem, although this conduct is still clearly inappropriate. The more frequently an individual views pornography, the more serious the problem.
Duration
Duration refers to how long an individual has been engaged in the behavior. If an individual has been unable to stop viewing pornography for a period of years, it will most likely be more difficult for him or her to overcome the behavior than if he or she has only been using pornography for a short period of time.
Intensity
Intensity refers to the nature of the material viewed. While all pornographic images and content are inappropriate, some types of material are significantly more degrading. As you learn about a member’s issue, it is important to note the type of pornography he or she has been viewing.
For example, media that depict sexual acts are more intense and graphic than photographs of individuals wearing little or no clothing. Some pornographic material is violent or involves children. If you become aware of any viewing, purchasing, or distributing of child pornography, contact civil authorities. A help line is also available for the bishop in dealing with this issue.
Risk-Taking
Risk-taking tendencies or behaviors related to pornography use are another indicator of how severe the challenge may be. The more an individual is willing to risk to view pornography, the more difficult it generally is for him or her to discontinue its use. Risk-taking activities may include missing school, work, or other commitments; engaging in unlawful, covert, or dishonest behavior; or similar actions. Risk-taking behavior in adults may lead to loss of employment, divorce, family disruption, or criminal activity.
- In Daniel A. Burgess LMFT interview, Is Pornography Always an ADDICTION??, he suggests a few ways leadership can support its members struggling with pornography with a more loving and Christ-like approach.
- For the best protection against pornography, what does Daniel suggest Bishops should do with members confessing pornography use?
Answer could include:
- Encourage partaking of the sacrament and attending the temple.
- Changing prayer language from “how to stop pornography” to seeking greater love and understanding of their sexual development and desires.
- How can partaking of the sacrament and attending the temple bring us closer to God when struggling with pornography?
- How does changing our language in prayer foster love over fear?
- In what ways does Jason A. Staples Ph.D. say we incorrectly use and understand “lust” according to Matthew 5:27–28?
- What are the four reasons Jason A. Staples Ph.D. gives for why misunderstanding Matthew 5:27–28 is dangerous?
- Request participants, to either watch “Why Is Porn A Problem?” or show sections in class.
- Explore with the class what the experts say is the reason why some can't stop looking at pornography?
- What are their responses to the questions or thoughts on, are we evil for viewing porn?
- How do they suggest moving forward and recovering?
- What do the experts say for the reason porn viewing can hurt oneself and their spouse?
- Open discussion; Have the class share what they found most insightful, or helpful in the “Why Is Porn A Problem?” video. How do their new insights bring us closer to our Heavenly Parents and increase our hope?
Depending on the maturity and readiness of the class you might also consider reviewing the relationship aspects discussed in “Why Is Porn A Problem?”
- How can we prepare now for a future spouse who might view pornography?
- In what ways can we support our spouse or future spouse?
Lesson Resources
Prior to teaching this lesson have your class read, watch, listen, in part or full the following resources:
see also related articles;
- Recovering from the Trap of Pornography By Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- Official LDS resource: What do I need to understand about the scope of pornography use?
“… it is important not to label even intensive or habitual use of pornography as an addiction because that does not accurately describe the circumstances or the full nature of the required repentance and recovery. Having a better understanding of where a person is in the process will also allow a better understanding of what action is necessary to recover.”
"As you encourage individuals to understand their use of pornography as something more than just a sign of moral weakness, they can determine what, if any, additional resources they need. For example, pornography use usually has several contributing factors (such as biological, psychological, social, and spiritual). Resources needed will depend upon the severity of individual’s behavior and how he or she is dealing with the issue."
Frequency
Frequency refers to how often an individual engages in the behavior. Sporadic viewing of pornography indicates a milder problem, although this conduct is still clearly inappropriate. The more frequently an individual views pornography, the more serious the problem.
Duration
Duration refers to how long an individual has been engaged in the behavior. If an individual has been unable to stop viewing pornography for a period of years, it will most likely be more difficult for him or her to overcome the behavior than if he or she has only been using pornography for a short period of time.
Intensity
Intensity refers to the nature of the material viewed. While all pornographic images and content are inappropriate, some types of material are significantly more degrading. As you learn about a member’s issue, it is important to note the type of pornography he or she has been viewing.
For example, media that depict sexual acts are more intense and graphic than photographs of individuals wearing little or no clothing. Some pornographic material is violent or involves children. If you become aware of any viewing, purchasing, or distributing of child pornography, contact civil authorities. A help line is also available for the bishop in dealing with this issue.
Quotes About Marital Intimacy
Some persons have supposed that our natural affections were the results of a fallen and corrupt nature, and that they are “carnal, sensual, and devilish,” and therefore ought to be resisted, subdued, or overcome as so many evils which prevent our perfection, or progress in the spiritual life. In short, that they should be greatly subdued in this world, and in the world to come entirely done away. And even our intelligence also.
Such persons have mistaken the source and fountain of happiness altogether. They have not one correct idea of the nature of the enjoyments, or happiness of heaven, or earth; of this life or any other…
Our natural affections are planted in us by the Spirit of God, for a wise purpose; and they are the very main-springs of life and happiness—they are the cement of all virtuous and heavenly society—they are the essence of charity, or love; and therefore never fail, but endure forever.
There is not a more pure and holy principle in existence than the affection which glows in the bosom of a virtuous man for his companion; …
The fact is, God made man, male and female; he planted in their bosoms those affections which are calculated to promote their happiness and union.
These pure affections are inspired in our bosoms, and interwoven with our nature by an all wise and benevolent being, who rejoices in the happiness and welfare of his creatures. All his revelations to man, touching this subject, are calculated to approve, encourage, and strengthen these emotions, and to increase and perfect them; that man, enlightened and taught of God, may be more free, more social, cheerful, happy, kind, familiar, and lovely than he was before; that he may fill all the relationships of life, and act in every sphere of usefulness with a greater energy, and with a readier mind, and a more willing heart. – Essential Parley P. Pratt
We have a great many principles innate in our natures that are correct, but they want sanctifying. God said to man, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’ (Genesis 1:28.) Well, he has planted, in accordance with this, a natural desire in woman towards man, and in man towards woman and a feeling of affection, regard, and sympathy exists between the sexes. We bring it into the world with us, but that, like everything else, has to be sanctified. An unlawful gratification of these feelings and sympathies is wrong in the sight of God, and leads down to death, while a proper exercise of our functions leads to life, happiness, and exaltation in this world and the world to come. And so it is in regard to a thousand other things. – John Taylor
The lawful association of the sexes is ordained of God, not only as the sole means of race perpetuation, but for the development of the higher faculties and nobler traits of human nature, which the love-inspired companionship of man and woman alone can insure. – Joseph F. Smith
Within the enduring covenant of marriage, the Lord permits husband and wife the expression of the sacred procreative powers in all their loveliness and beauty within the bounds He has set. One purpose of this private, sacred, intimate experience is to provide the physical bodies for the spirits Father in Heaven wants to experience mortality. Another reason for these powerful and beautiful feelings of love is to bind husband and wife together in loyalty, fidelity, consideration of each other, and common purpose. – Richard G. Scott
Tenderness and respect—never selfishness—must be the guiding principles in the intimate relationship between husband and wife. – Howard W. Hunter
Intimate relations were designed by the Lord as a sacred opportunity to renew marriage covenants, provide therapy, and keep you two in love. It is essential in a stressful world that the two of you enjoy your physical and emotional relationship. Intimacy is not to be abused. This is your spouse, companion, confidant, lover, and therapist all rolled into one, and you two should enjoy the privilege of sharing your masculine and feminine traits in a wholesome way. – Douglas Brinley
Physical intimacy is not only a symbolic union between a husband and a wife—the very uniting of their souls—but it is also symbolic of a shared relationship between them and their Father in Heaven. He is immortal and perfect. We are mortal and imperfect. Nevertheless we seek ways even in mortality whereby we can unite with Him spiritually. – Jeffrey R. Holland
Addressing Concerns
The following responses to frequent concerns about pornography use is intended to provide truth over error. While some of the facts listed below dispel frequent false claims about pornography viewing, this is in NO way support for viewing pornography. Rather, these facts are here to provide hope and clarity, and calm the very real fears youth and adults have about the potential consequences of prior porn viewing, which are almost always inflated.
Viewing pornography contributes to sexual crime
This is a very common theory cited frequently both in literature and by people in general. The reasoning is often along the lines of “viewing porn gives men ideas and fantasies, so that they will then go out and assault a woman to play out their fantasies.” Sometimes you will even hear studies cited about the prevalence of a history of pornography use by sexual offenders. There are several problems that firmly establish this as a myth, not a fact.
- The official Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that there was more than a 60% decline in sexual violence against females from 1995 TO 2010! - Female Victims Of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010
https://www.statista.com/statistics/191226/reported-forcible-rape-rate-in-the-us-since-1990/
Many claim that the access to high speed Internet pornography have increased sexual crimes exponentially, but there is NO research or statistics that confirm these opinions. These claims are often made in opinion articles published in official journals. For example the opinion article The Public Health Harms of Pornography: The Brain, Erectile Dysfunction, and Sexual Violence in "A Journal on Sexual Exploitations and Violence" is often quoted as a "study", but in fact is not a study. These are often well intended individuals trying to create urgency around this topic by using fear, not facts.
While some of their concerns about sex crimes being underreported are valid, the lack of data is not an excuse to insinuate, fabricate or use fear to retain a narrative. It's crucial to find ways to improve the data and make wise and informed decisions off that data. However, the fact that ALL crime according to the FBI has reduced since the early 1990s seems to demonstrate consistency in the data. Crime in the United States by Volume and Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants, 1993–2012
Furthermore, the fact that sex crimes have significantly decreased could be indicators that SOMETHING is working. By focusing on a narrative over facts, significant harm can be done to protecting woman and children. The drop in crime against women and children also doesn't reduce the importance of making the internet a safer place.
Finally, studies about sexual offenders and their pornography history is an example of confusing correlation and causation. Pornography viewing rates for males vary widely between surveys from near 50 percent (often for older males) to nearing 100 percent (for younger males). With these types of rates, it would be statistically surprising that most male criminals didn’t have a history of pornography usage; however, despite these rates, sexual offenders make up just .00279 percent of the population in the United States and its territories.
- Someone having fantasies does not mean that he or she is going to act on that fantasy. This is just as true for sexual fantasies as it is for all those fantasies we may have about work, recreation, or life. Statistics for rape fantasies among women (typically of being raped) are reported at being between 31 percent and 57 percent, and for men (typically of raping a woman) are between 13 percent and 54 percent. Women's erotic rape fantasies: an evaluation of theory and research
No one thinks that 50 percent of women actually want to be raped in real life, nor that 50 percent of men want to actually rape a woman in real life. So the idea that engaging in fantasies, even fantasies of violent or heinous acts, will result in people following through with those acts is patently false.
- Some people will push back on this and say that just because not everyone who watches porn engages in sexual assault doesn’t mean that porn doesn’t result in an increase, albeit a smaller one, in those crimes. This is also demonstrably false.
The introduction of the internet in the late 1990s can be considered the largest experiment on this issue to likely ever take place. Prior to the internet, access to pornography was generally limited to either Playboys or similar magazines that depicted nudity but not sexual activity or to videos that had to be ordered by mail, purchased at a sex shop, or rented from the local video rental store. The introduction of online pornography has increased access and use exponentially as it is now accessible easily, without cost, and, practically speaking, anonymously.
According to the claim that porn causes one to be more likely to commit sexual crimes, the dramatic increase in consumption of pornography due to the internet should have resulted in an measurable increase in sexual crimes. Instead, we have seen the opposite. The Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics shows a decline in the number of sexual assault victimizations of females from 1995 to 2010 by 58 percent. In other words, the amount of sexual assaults against women has gone down by almost 60 percent with the introduction and proliferation of internet pornography. A number of other studies have been done on the link between sexual crime and pornography availability, and they almost exclusively show a decrease in sexual crimes with a few showing negligible impacts. Pornography, public acceptance and sex related crime: A review
Porn will make people treat women as objects
This is a very common accusation, and often is accompanied by claims that the pornography viewer ends up viewing all women as inanimate objects with no emotions or feelings at all. It is an emotionally charged concept and can be difficult to talk about. What makes this myth particularly difficult to address is that in some ways it is true. Let’s start by defining objectification.
Ob·jec·ti·fi·ca·tion \əbˌjektəfəˈkāSH(ə)n\ noun: the action of degrading someone to the status of a mere object.
The definition of objectification is notably lacking specific reference to both sexuality and to women. There is a reason for that: objectification happens in all sorts of aspects of life. Dr. David Ley commented on this phenomenon.
Nobody wants to be seen as merely an object. We all want to be seen as a person, a unique being, with our own thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires. But, as usual, sexual objectification is, for some reason, treated as especially “wrong” compared to other types of objectification.
Our society, in fact, thrives on objectification. You don’t think telemarketers REALLY care about you as a person, do you? Objectification is not necessarily a bad thing. Surgeons commonly “objectify” their patients because it is easier to cut into them when the surgeon is not distracted by thoughts of this person’s feelings, future and past. Soldiers objectify their enemies to make it easier to attack or kill them. What do we tell a person who is afraid of public speaking? “Imagine your audience naked…”.
He then explains the other side to sexual objectification.
Research with pornography and objectification has actually shown that when we see someone as a sexualized “object,” there are some good sides to that. When we are sexualizing someone, we tend to see them as someone who experiences things in a powerful way. We see them as “experiencers,” who we can imagine “experiencing” sex with us. There was an old study years ago where people thought they were giving electric shocks to other people. Current studies on sexual objectification suggest that if that person were showing more skin, or was even naked, people would shock them less. Not because they want to get laid by that poor person, but because we believe, on the basis of that sexual objectification, that they would feel the pain more intensely than other people.
This is a far cry from the idea that objectification amounts to women being seen as a chair or a treadmill to be used for our enjoyment without consideration at all. In fact, Joshua Knobe, professor of philosophy and cognitive science at Yale University, notes that objectification isn’t really an accurate term for what is taking place. He and some colleagues conducted an experiment about objectification by giving male participants a picture of a woman who is either clothed or nude and posed normally, or nude and posed sexually. They then had participants rate the woman on how capable they thought she was of having agency (self-control and both planning and acting morally) and how capable she was of having experiences (feeling fear, desire, and pleasure). Based on their results, they found that men believed the woman posing naked and in a sexy pose was seen as having less agency but more experience than the woman who was just naked or clothed posing normally. From that data, they deduced that,
In short, it doesn't look like pornography is leading men to treat women as mere “objects.” Instead, we seem to be getting something that might be called animalification—treating a woman as though she lacks the capacity for complex thinking and reasoning, but at the same time, treating her as though she was even more capable of having strong feelings and emotional responses.”
Again, this is not the same as truly objectifying someone and seeing them as “an object.” Rather, as Knobe later puts it, “the problem here doesn't have to do with ignoring a person's mind but rather with focusing exclusively on just one part of that mind.”
This is something that we all engage in even during a sexual experience with a spouse. When we find ourselves moving towards orgasm and wanting our spouse to continue doing what they are doing or to just hold still for a moment or to stop something distracting because we are close to the point of climax, we are objectifying them, seeing them in that moment in the context of our own self rather than as a full person who may not want to stop what they’re doing. Hopefully though, when that moment of objectification has passed, we re-engage with them, attend to their needs, cuddle, and draw close again. In this way, objectification is functional similar to the way it is functional for a surgeon or soldier.
Yes, in consuming pornography, we only see part of a person. This isn’t a problem specific to pornography, it is simply an aspect of how we all function in various aspects of life and one that can, when taken to an extreme, be incredibly problematic. So we are then left with the question of whether the objectification in the context of pornography consumption devalues women uniquely in real life. And the answer is no.
In 2016, researchers from Ontario tested this theory. Specifically, they wanted to measure how pornography use impacted the attitudes of egalitarianism in men. They measured egalitarian attitudes toward women holding positions of power, women working outside the home, abortion issues (including under conditions like rape), and attitudes around the traditional family. What did they find? Those who used pornography held attitudes that were more egalitarian than those who did not use pornography. In other words, rather than pornography consumption being correlated with negative attitudes about women, it was correlated with positive, egalitarian ideas about women.
The idea that pornography objectifies women in any way that is unique from objectification that happens generally in life or is harmful to attitudes about women is a myth.
Viewing pornography will corrupt your sexual interest
There is no arguing that pornography will expose someone to sexual acts, behaviors, and ideas that they might not otherwise have. Viewing and even repeatedly seeking out this material has lead some to the idea that such exposure is ruining or corrupting their sexuality, perhaps even irreparably. Reasoning often accompanies the idea that the person is becoming “satiated” and developing a “tolerance” to more mainstream pornography and requires increasingly “intense” or “shocking” material to get aroused. Such a thought is quite frightening and consequently creates enormous concern. Fortunately, research has shown this to be completely false.
Over 2,000 people who identified as consumers of pornography were surveyed in this research. Fifty-eight percent were women and a little less than half were in a relationship. The survey asked them how arousing they found each of 27 different categories of pornography covering a broad range of mainstream and non-mainstream interests. While some identified as being aroused by non-mainstream pornography, they were also aroused by mainstream pornography. They also didn’t report being any less sexually satisfied than those who did not report being aroused by the non-mainstream pornography. This shows that consumption of pornography will not corrupt your sexual interests and cause you to not be interested in more mainstream sexual stimuli. It shows a lack of evidence (the closest science comes to disproving something) for the idea of satiation and tolerance in pornography consumption.
With that said, those who do view pornography often find themselves aroused by new things. The research discussed above would note that this is not a corruption of sexuality since mainstream sexual stimuli is still arousing. Rather, it is a discovery of increased breadth of sexual interest.
The most common way to conceptualize this broadening of interests is as a lovemap, which was developed by psychologist John Money in 1980. He and others have expanded on it ever since. The lovemap is the sum of those thoughts, ideas, fantasies, situations, traits, etc. that make up what we find to be seuxally arousing. The formation of this template begins with the hormones we are exposed to at birth and continues up into puberty. Money notes that the most vulnerable and critical years for lovemap formation is not teenagehood when sexual hormones are raging but rather the formative years of about five to eight years old. And after puberty, the lovemap has largely been formed and is extremely resistant to change.
John Money, a prominent psychologist and sexologist, introduced the concept of a 'lovemap' to describe the mental blueprint that shapes an individual's sexual desires and preferences. Born in New Zealand in 1921 and later working in the United States, Money was a key figure in the field of sexual identity and development. His groundbreaking work at Johns Hopkins University, where he was influential in the establishment of the first gender identity clinic, contributed significantly to the understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Money's concept of a lovemap encompasses a variety of mental images, ideas, fantasies, situations, and traits that collectively define what one finds sexually arousing. He proposed that these lovemaps begin forming early in life, shaped by an interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Contrary to a sole focus on hormonal influences, Money emphasized the importance of early childhood experiences and societal interactions in the development of these sexual templates. He believed that while lovemaps start forming in childhood, they become relatively stable and resistant to change after puberty.
In counseling, explaining lovemaps can be akin to describing a subconscious sexual scrapbook, unknowingly compiled from a diverse array of sexual and erotic experiences. This scrapbook, though created without conscious awareness, forms the foundation of an individual's sexual identity. Gaining insight into its content, however, is not straightforward. It requires exploration, openness, and a certain level of sexual confidence. While individuals may have some awareness of their sexual preferences and fantasies, much of their lovemap remains unexplored, making self-discovery a key aspect of understanding one's sexual identity.
John Money's theories, including his work on lovemaps, have been influential in the fields of psychology and sexology. They have sparked considerable discussion and debate, contributing to a deeper understanding of human sexuality and its complex interplay with psychological and social factors.
The privacy and anonymity of pornography can expose the viewer to aspects of sexuality that they may not have explored yet. They can browse for taboo topics, fantasies, or imagery that they might otherwise not be able to explore. Whether that is going to end up being sexually arousing to them or not is based on their lovemap. They are essentially flipping to that page in their sexual scrapbook and finding out, “Wow, there’s a of great stuff that I like on these pages,” or “There are a couple of interesting things here, but not a ton of stuff,” or even “Huh, I don’t have any pages about that in my scrapbook.”
Once you find certain pages, you may end up spending time learning more about that, exploring there, diving into those pages; however, pornography exposure will not add pages to your scrapbook or tear pages out. It just might point out pages that you hadn’t really spent much time on before. In other words, viewing pornography isn't corrupting sexual interests; people are using pornography to explore the sexual interests they already have.
According to Matthew 5:27–28, lusting is evil.
You heard it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman/wife in order to covet her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27–28
Probably one of the most misinterpreted Bible scripture used to teach chastity, biblical scholar Jason A. Staples (Ph.D., UNC-Chapel Hill), who is a historian of early Judaism and Christianity, has observed in his article “Whoever Looks at a Woman With Lust”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages. Why misinterpreting this scripture is particularly dangerous;
The biggest problem with the way these verses are usually explained is that it misplaces the focus away from the will, from the commitment of the heart, towards a condemnation of the natural desires human beings are created having. Young men in many churches are effectively told that there is something inherently sinful in their sexual impulses.
As a devout Latter-day Saint, and Therapist who works primarily with sexual health and compulsive porn and sexual behavior, I have also seen the very real danger of Latter-day Saints misinterpreting this scripture in a way that harms them as individuals and harms their marriages. Jason A. Staples's observation hits home in a profound way. In reading the following you might be surprised to know he is not LDS. But he is addressing the danger of this misinterpretation to a general Christian audience. Beyond semantics and misinterpretation, he points out four major reasons why misinterpreting this scripture is harmful;
1. A great deal of self-defeat and guilt about sexual desire is a problem in much of the church. Young men are often entirely consumed with their efforts “not to lust,” as though focusing even more attention on the matter of sexual desire would actually help things!
2. In the same vein, I have even had married men talk to me about how they try not to “lust” for their wives! This stems from the misguided idea that if their desire for sex is simply because they’re “horny,” there’s something inherently wrong with that, something to feel guilty about. (In contrast, look at the way Paul approaches marital sex in 1 Cor 7; he seems to present it as the necessary and acceptable cure for “being horny.”) Talk about a way to take some of the joy out of marriage and substitute defeat and guilt!
3. Many young men simply give up the fight, reasoning that if they’re already guilty of sexual sin because of their thoughts, they might as well go ahead and enjoy the real thing. You’d probably be surprised how often this is the case.
4. Some who understand this passage to be a condemnation of lust actually reason that they can have extramarital (or at least premarital) sex as long as they “don’t lust.”
Staples continues by saying that we, unfortunately;
…emphasize this verse to men and (especially) adolescent boys, warning that if they so much as think of a woman in a sexual manner, they’ve already sinned, that they’ve already effectively done the deed with her. Such an interpretation often works hand-in-glove with the common idea that Jesus “intensified” the Law in the Sermon on the Mount, setting a higher standard in order to show that no person could actually live up to God’s standards, showing that a person could only be saved by recognizing the impossibility of righteousness and then receiving forgiveness (a complete misinterpretation of the Sermon on the Mount I will address at another time). So the common teaching is: lust (that is, sexual lust) is absolutely evil—equivalent, even, to the physical act of sexual sin.
Another key aspect of nearly all the common misinterpretations of this verse is a specific (mistaken) definition of the word “lust.” Specifically, many readers understand “lust” as specifically denoting misplaced or overly robust libido. For example, as one recent conversation partner explained to me, “I take lust to mean wanting something more than you should in an unhealthy way.”
Despite its popularity, this interpretation is imprecise, even flat wrong, and leads to surprisingly harmful consequences, making this verse a great candidate to start this series.
Staples continues by examining the nuance and significance of this misinterpretation by stating;
… the Greek word usually translated “lust” in this passage (ἐπιθυμέω; epithumeô) is precisely the word for “covet” (Hebrew חמד) in the Tenth Command in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), which says:
‘You will not covet your neighbor’s wife. You will not covet your neighbors house or his field or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or any animal which is your neighbor’s. (Ex 20:17 LXX)’
Looks pretty familiar, doesn’t it? In fact, it’s essentially identical; since there’s no distinction between the words “wife” and “woman” in Greek, the word translated “wife” here is the same that is translated “woman” in Matthew (both English words translate the same Greek word γύνη; gynē).
It turns out that Jesus isn’t saying anything new at all in Matthew 5:27–28. Instead, he directly cites one of the Ten Commands to remind his audience that the Law not only prohibits adultery, it prohibits coveting with the same severity. This is not an intensification of the Law; it’s a reminder of what the Law already says. In addition, Jesus gives no indication that he regards the Law as too difficult to keep—he not only assumes that his followers can follow his interpretation of the Torah but commands them to do so.
Now that it’s clear that Jesus isn’t saying something specifically new here but is instead calling attention to the Tenth Command, the next order of business is to understand the tenth command and the concept of “coveting.” The first thing to understand is that when the Hebrew חמד or Greek ἐπιθυμέω are used as verbs in the OT, it denotes desire directed at obtaining the specific object in question and not merely the existence of the desire itself.
Strikingly, the nominal (noun-form) concept of “lust” or “desire” (even the sexual variety) is nowhere forbidden in Scripture, nor is it equated with sin—only the potential to sin: “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then, when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And when sin is completed, it brings forth death” (James 1:14–15). Note that James clearly distinguishes between “lust” (that is, desire) at the stage of temptation and “sin,” which is the actual commission of an act.
Pornography is as addictive as drugs.
There is NO evidence that pornography is as addictive as drugs.
This myth is a result of fear-based media and well-intending people to emphasize the potential dangers of porn use. Often the media and certain 'experts' will quote from neuroscience research to support their statements.
For example, one of the most widely misused/misquoted study is the 2014 Dr. Valerie Voon study, "Neural Correlates of Sexual Cue Reactivity in Individuals with and without Compulsive Sexual Behaviours" which even the Church used to emphisize the 'danger' of porn viewing, in a press release that included "a call of action to parents," and that "letting children consume pornography freely was likeleaving heroin lying around the house, or handing out vodka at the school gates.” Cambridge Study confirms Danger of Pornography
However, this is NOT what Dr. Valerie Voon research found and,
“Voon is quick to caution against using her studies to leap to conclusions about the addictiveness of sex or porn. ‘Much more research is required,’ she explains."
Additionally other neuroscientists at the University of California, Los Angeles,
"observed that volunteers who believed they had a problem with porn reacted to the pictures with low levels of excitement in the brain, unlike other addicts faced with triggering cues.” These people may be having problems, but of some other type,” says Prause. “Addiction is not a good way of understanding it.” Can you really be addicted to sex?
What Dr. Voon study actually says is the following;
The current study has multiple limitations.
1. the study involved only (19) heterosexual male subjects.
2. there currently exist no formal diagnostic criteria for CSB and thus this represents a limitation for understanding the findings and placing them within the larger literature.
3. given the cross-sectional nature of the study, inferences about causality cannot be made.
4. the small sample and lack of a whole brain corrected approach is a limitation.
The current and extant findings suggest that a common network exists for sexual-cue reactivity and drug-cue reactivity in groups with CSB (compulsive sexual behavior) and drug addictions, respectively. These findings suggest overlaps in networks underlying disorders of pathological consumption of drugs and natural rewards. **While this study may suggest overlaps with substance-use disorders, further clinical studies are required to determine whether CSB should be categorized as an impulse-control disorder, within an obsessive-compulsive spectrum or as a behavioural addiction.
In more recent interviews, Dr. Valerie Voon has stated after having conducted more research that she
... takes a more moderate view. “I suspect (porn) probably doesn’t cause a ‘major’ cognitive risk,” she says in an email to The Daily Beast. But she adds there are potential issues with porn consumption for especially vulnerable populations. “I think one of the main issues would be that there may be a subgroup of people who may run into problems with compulsive use.”
Furthermore, Dr. Cameron Staley, LDS scientist and leading expert in the subject, has studied porn addiction his whole career and has stated that NO research supports porn addiction. In one interview he made the following observation;
“I believe the Adversary attempts to convince us that, ‘You are horrible, that you should never tell anybody, never reach out for help, don’t even use the Atonement, don’t talk to anybody—he wins. We shut down. We withdraw,” Staley says. “But if we view it as, ‘Oh wow, I’m doing something that’s inconsistent with my beliefs, let’s understand what’s going on, the Atonement still applies to me. I’m not a bad person, I’m just doing things that I don’t want to do.’”
According to Staley, religious people feel distress when viewing pornography “as high as other people that are viewing at really high rates,” even if they don’t view it as often. Through his research, he has also discovered that believing you are “addicted” may maintain unwanted pornography viewing in the future. “Believing you’re addicted takes away the hope, and when we don’t have hope, we do things to soothe ourselves, and the one strategy these individuals have come up with to soothe themselves is viewing pornography,” Staley says. “That’s the cycle.”
Finally, some professionals have embraced the fear-based side of porn use as a core part of their business model.
What about all the science that supports sex/porn addiction?
The topic of sex/porn addiction and its validity is a complex topic, which is too often overly-simplified and forced into being an absolute - such as being an addiction or not.
“Addiction” is an overused term that has morphed into a general description of any impulsive behavior. But “addiction” has a very specific meaning in science and mental health. As a result, the general use of the term has caused much confusion. However, the confusion is not an issue of semantics alone. If it were semantics alone, this would not be a cause of concern. Rather, the issue is in applying effective methods and solutions; it goes to the core of accurately identifying the problem and the treatment.
For example, imagine going to the doctor and saying you have cancer, and the doctor immediately starts chemo and other invasive forms of cancer treatment. This treatment goes on for days, months, and years, only to discover you don’t have cancer at all. Some will exclaim, it's because you’re cured! Others will say the cancer is still there because you still feel sick. You go another round of chemo and invasive treatment. Some will say, well cancer is so dangerous that whether you had cancer or not, what could the chemo hurt? You might be thinking there is a malpractice case developing here since the doctor only relied on a personal report, failing in his duty to do his own diagnostics and assessments. You’d be right.
However, this is at the core of the problem with sex/porn addiction treatment. There is no robust standard for assessment. The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) is almost entirely subjective and moralistic (“moral incongruence”) and relies almost entirely on personal assessment and reports. Not an empirical assessment.
Why is a moral incongruence bad? It’s important to consider our core values, including our religious values/faith, and commitments/covenants while assessing sex/porn addiction. However, if the assessment is done through the lens of morality, that individual will most likely self-assess more severely.
For example, if one perceives viewing porn with eternal consequences (a form of betrayal and adultery), that individual will most likely assess more severely than someone who does not view their porn use in the terms of morality. Ergo, the same treatment is given for an individual who viewed an Instagram model on occasion versus an individual presenting with frequent, out-of-control, prolonged exposure and engaging in illegal and risk-taking behavior.
Research on the moral perception of sex/porn and its impact on perceived behaviors is well documented:
Furthermore, the addiction model is essentially a one-size-fits-all approach, with variations depending on the treatment center. More effective treatment centers and approaches include assessment for comorbid diagnoses, but the treatment is usually the same.
ARP or Addiction treatment is the best way to recover or stop porn use.
The best and most current research on sex/porn addiction does not support the addiction model of treatment. The addiction model has been well studied and has been shown to have a success rate between 5-10%, which is less than doing nothing at all for treatment.
In one of the most comprehensive analyses of various alcohol abuse treatments, AA ranked 37th out of 48 treatment methods. It was well behind the most effective methods, which were brief interventions, motivational enhancement, and GABA agonist medication, but also well behind even such minimal interventions as case management (12th), acupuncture (17th), exercise (20th), and the no-intervention-at-all method, simply labeled self-monitoring (30th). —Saving Psychotherapy: How Therapists Can Bring the Talking Cure Back from the Brink by Benjamin E. Caldwell
If you are one of the 5-10% success rates, wonderful! The desire for improved treatment from porn use in no way discount the 5-10%. (Also, see; “The Sober Truth" and “Sex Addiction a Critical History”) Rather it’s impairative to find a way for MORE people to experience the success of those few in addiction treatment.
As Latter-day Saints we have an impairative to save souls. If you were given a more successful aproach, or if you were aware of a better way to treat porn use. Avoiding years of struggle that resulted in years of suffering being avoided. Wouldn't you do all you can to bring that to the many souls craving for more meaningful and lasting solutions? As such many trained professionals tend to suggest more effective treatment like A.C.T. or ACT-based treatment over the LDS Church’s Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), or other addiction-based models of treatment. Additionally, both “the science” and the “LDS Church” agree in discouraging the use of the addiction language and approach.
The Science: The most current and comprehensive scientific review of sex/porn addiction: Sexual addiction 25 years on: A systematic and methodological review of empirical literature and an agenda for future research
The LDS Church: What LDS Apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said about porn “addiction” which is also in line with the scientific research:
In earlier times and circumstances, our counsel about pornography focused principally on helping individuals to avoid initial exposure or to recover from addiction. While those efforts are still important, past experience and current circumstances have shown the need for counsel addressed to levels of pornography use between the polar extremes of avoidance and addiction. It is helpful to focus on four different levels of involvement with pornography: (1) inadvertent exposure, (2) occasional use, (3) intensive use, and (4) compulsive use (addiction).
…
Once we recognize these different levels, we also recognize that not everyone who uses pornography willfully is addicted to it. In fact, most young men and young women who struggle with pornography are not addicted. That is a very important distinction to make—not just for the parents, spouses, and leaders who desire to help but also for those who struggle with this problem. Here is why.
First, the deeper the level of involvement one engages in—from inadvertent exposure, to occasional or repeated intentional use, to intensive use, to compulsive (addictive) use—the more difficult it is to recover. If behavior is incorrectly classified as an addiction, the user may think he or she has lost agency and the capacity to overcome the problem. This can weaken resolve to recover and repent. On the other hand, having a clearer understanding of the depth of a problem—that it may not be as ingrained or extreme as feared—can give hope and an increased capacity to exercise agency to discontinue and repent.
Second, as with any sinful behavior, willful use of pornography drives away the Holy Ghost. Some who have experienced this will feel prompted to repent. Others, however, may feel embarrassed and seek to hide their guilt through deceit. They may also begin to feel shame, which can lead to self-loathing. If this happens, users may begin to believe one of Satan’s greatest lies: that what they have done or continue to do makes them a bad person, unworthy of the Savior’s grace and incapable of repentance. That is simply not true. We are never too far out of reach from the Savior and His Atonement. — Recovering from the Trap of Pornography
When do I say yes to marriage?
"The best way to avoid divorce from an unfaithful, abusive, or unsupportive spouse is to avoid marriage to such a person. If you wish to marry well, inquire well. Associations through 'hanging out' or exchanging information on the Internet are not a sufficient basis for marriage. There should be dating, followed by careful and thoughtful and thorough courtship. There should be ample opportunities to experience the prospective spouse’s behavior in a variety of circumstances" (Dallin H. Oaks, "Divorce," Ensign, May 2007, 70–73).
Copyright © 2017 Daniel A. Burgess, MA LMFT. All Rights Reserved. “Marriage Readiness Questions” danielaburgess.com Copyright
When do I say yes to marriage?
"The best way to avoid divorce from an unfaithful, abusive, or unsupportive spouse is to avoid marriage to such a person. If you wish to marry well, inquire well. Associations through 'hanging out' or exchanging information on the Internet are not a sufficient basis for marriage. There should be dating, followed by careful and thoughtful and thorough courtship. There should be ample opportunities to experience the prospective spouse’s behavior in a variety of circumstances" (Dallin H. Oaks, "Divorce," Ensign, May 2007, 70–73).
There is no magic crystal ball to determine if you and your partner are ready to marry. However, there are healthy ways to help assess your readiness for marriage. When I use the term “readiness,” I am more referring to the probability of success. Because truth be told no one is “ready for marriage.” Even among the best of friendships, marriage is challenging. But if you can enter that sacred union with the right tools, awareness, and trust, those challenges can be lighter. The following is a tool to determine one’s readiness for marriage, which has been used by each of my daughters and countless clients. Take note that I am emphasizing “readiness.” This is NOT a tool to determine if you or your partner should say “yes”.
There are 3 sections to the questions; 1. Self-readiness for marriage (18 questions), 2. Should WE get married (13 questions), 3. Future of marriage (7 questions). These are not intended as “yes” or “no” questions. If you complete these questions in a few minutes or even an hour, you are not using the tool to its full potential. It also could mean there is avoidance to the questions. If you struggle to go deep with the questions, how can you expect to connect with yourself and your partner, and navigate the complexities and challenges of marriage? Take your time, be meditative and prayerful as you reflect and ponder each question.
It is my belief and experience the first section is the MOST important to reflect on. If you do not understand yourself — if you don’t have a solid grasp of your own identity as a child of God and as a unique individual — what then are you bringing to the marriage? How will you keep from losing yourself, becoming enmeshed, when life challenges are thrown at you and your relationship? In nearly every struggling relationship I have worked with I hear the following phrase, “I no longer know who I am.” Sometimes I hear “I never knew who I was…”. These were/are good people, faithful individuals who lost their identity in the relationship.
Take your time in sincerely pondering each question.
Self-readiness for marriage:
Do I enjoy being alone or do I have the constant need to be with my partner?
Do I enjoy being with my partner or am I often looking forward to having time without my partner?
How do I define my happiness and who I am right now?
How does getting married change that definition?
What does it mean to me to be married?
What are the advantages of being single?
What are the advantages of being married?
What are the disadvantages of being single?
What are the disadvantages of being married?
Am I happy with who I am; spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually while I am alone?
Am I happy with who I am; spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually while I am in a relationship?
Does loving my partner inspire me to be a “better person”, to seek a stronger individual relationship with the Savior?
Do I feel like my partner makes me a “better person” while I am with him/her? (This is a potential warning sign of codependency and controlling behavior, or an inappropriate dependence on another to feel motivated to be better.)
Is my relationship greater with Christ and Heavenly Father than with my partner?
What scares me about marriage?
What excites me about marriage?
Am I pushing aside fears, anxieties, and feelings of being overwhelmed regarding marriage by admonishing myself to have greater faith?
Do I ever feel like I have to hide or pretend I am not feeling/experiencing an emotion?
"Bruce C. Hafen has compared relationships between men and women to a pyramid. The base of the pyramid is friendship, and the ascending layers include building blocks such as understanding, respect, and restraint. At the very top is what he terms a 'glittering little mystery called romance.' If one tries to stand the pyramid on its point, expecting romance to hold everything else up, the pyramid will fall ("The Gospel and Romantic Love," Ensign, Oct. 1982, p. 67)" (Jonn D. Claybaugh, "Dating: A Time to Become Best Friends," Ensign, Apr 1994, 19).
2. Should WE get married:
Are you able to completely share all your dreams and desires with your partner?
Do you find yourself deferring to your partner for decision making, ideas, and interests? (Potential of losing one’s individuality)
Are you able to openly, lovingly, maturely, and respectfully discuss sex with your partner prior to marriage?
What is your sexual history: knowledge, understanding, experience?
What do you imagine or believe physical intimacy will be defined as or acceptable in your relationship?
What do you feel is appropriate or not appropriate sexual behavior?
Are you able to share all addictions (out of control behavior, weaknesses, and perceived flaws) safely and without reservation with your partner?
Do you or have you struggled with drugs/substances (whether legal or illegal)?
Do you or have you struggled with any sexual issues:
Do you or have you struggled with pornography?
Do you or have you struggled with masturbation?
Do you or have you struggled with persistent inappropriate thoughts?
Do you or have you struggled with financial issues?
Do you or have you struggled with gambling?
Do you or have you struggled with debt?
Do you or have you struggled with gaming?
Do you or have you struggled with anger?
Do you or have you struggled with lying?
Are there things that you are not open about because you feel it’s been resolved, it’s history, or has been repented of, or believe will not be a problem going forward or in marriage?
Do you ever feel you have to withhold opinions, silliness, thoughts, dreams, personality, fashion, or creativity from your partner?
Do you feel you need to apologize for your partner’s actions or behaviors?
Does your partner’s behavior or actions ever embarrass you?
Does your partner ever treat you in such a way that you feel ashamed or embarrassed?
Have you been open about your mental health history?
Trauma?
Medications?
Recurring issues?
Do you believe and feel your partner is completely open and transparent in all their thoughts, feelings, actions, and emotions?
Are you friends? Or are there miscommunications, disagreements, and lack of connection?
Do you have a “testimony” of your relationship and marriage; a peaceful and clear heart and mind? (If someone were to ask you, “How do you know the gospel is true?” you would likely respond, “I just know,” or “I have a testimony,” or “I have felt a witness of the Holy Ghost.” The answer to “How do I know if I should marry?” is “You just know.” The Holy Ghost will witness it to you as clearly and strongly as He did when witnessing the truth of the gospel to you.)
(Be cautious if you are tempted to dismiss stupors of thought, concerns, anxiousness, lack of clarity, etc. as lack of faith or fear. Anxiety or stupors of thought or a lack of peace and clarity are some of the tools of the Holy Ghost to help us identify unwise choices. Fear is very different; one can be very clear in mind and heart and fear the decision. But if you are not feeling peace and clarity it is a witness that something is not right. Additionally, when it comes to marriage, if there is fear, that individual must either overcome that fear on their own with Father, or NOT marry. Entering marriage with fear will create resentment and problems. If someone other than Father “guides” you or “helps” you through the fear, it is a form of self-betrayal and also has a high probability to create resentment in the marriage.)
"Choose a companion you can always honor, you can always respect, one who will complement you in your own life, one to whom you can give your entire heart, your entire love, your entire allegiance, your entire loyalty" (President Gordon B. Hinckley "Life's Obligations," Ensign, Feb 1999, 2).
3. Future of marriage:
What are your plans and goals beyond the wedding and reception?
What are your short term goals as a couple; temporal and spiritual?
What are your long term goals as a couple; temporal and spiritual?
Do you have individual goals; temporal and spiritual?
In what ways will you support each other’s dreams and aspirations?
If any of your or your spouse’s addictions or issues reoccur during the marriage, specifically how will it be addressed, handled and, if possible, overcome?
Will you be able to love, adore, and cherish your spouse even in what can be perceived as annoying behavior without the feeling need to change, criticize, tease, or complain?
Copyright © 2017 Daniel A. Burgess, MA LMFT. All Rights Reserved. “Marriage Readiness Questions” danielaburgess.com Copyright
The Ideal and the Real: a Reading of Genesis 38 and Judah
All right, fellow Latter-day Saints, let’s have a talk about sexual sins and how we react to them. This is all brought on by this week's Come Follow Me lesson on Alma 39, which has been used as the preeminent scriptural text on how serious sexual sins are. I'm talking about Alma 39:5 "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" This verse has traditionally been used to equate sexual immorality next to murder.
Guest post by: Tyson Yapias
All right, fellow Latter-day Saints, let’s have a talk about sexual sins and how we react to them. This is all brought on by this week's Come Follow Me lesson on Alma 39, which has been used as the preeminent scriptural text on how serious sexual sins are. I'm talking about Alma 39:5 "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" This verse has traditionally been used to equate sexual immorality next to murder.
Except, does it really mean what we think it means?
I will go over this quickly, as I want to spend most of my time on another scripture passage instead, so I encourage you to read what Michael Ash wrote about Alma 39:5 HERE as well as what my friends at Book of Mormon Central have written about the same thing HERE. Their argument is basically this: Alma was not necessarily equating sexual immorality to the sin next to murder. Rather, that leading others into apostasy is practically "murdering their spirits" and thus that is the sin next to murder. We can see this in Alma 36:13-14 "yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction." Alma caused many people to go down the road of apostasy because he led them astray, and we see he considered his actions to be a form of spiritual murder. Turning to Alma 39 we see that Corianton "abandoned the ministry" (Alma 39:3, 4 & 16) and his actions with the harlot Isabel persuaded the Zoramites to apostatize ("when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." (Alma 39:11)). Thus, Corianton's sin was grievous not simply because he had a sexual encounter with a harlot (though, we should recognize that the text is not explicit that he actually did); but because of his actions with Isabel, the Zoramites recognized his hypocrisy and refused to believe the prophet. Mormon is quick to point out that the Zoramites' apostasy is the reason why the great war started (Alma 43:4-5). Their spiritual rebellion leads to social-political rebellion and a terrible military conflict for the Nephites, Lamanites, and Zoramites that lasts for 22 years.
Just so I am not misunderstood, neither myself, BMC or Ash are saying that sexual sins are not serious. Sexual immorality in its many forms can have very profound, drastic, and grievous consequences; and ancient and modern prophets have consistently preached sexual purity as the Lord's standard. Next, I just want to put this out there. When we discuss sexual immorality as Latter-day Saints we tend to weigh any and every sexual sin the same. I will not delve into this here, but if you ask me, pornography use is very different and distinct from pre-marital sex which is very different and distinct from having an extra-marital affair. The consequences and ramifications for each are different, yet we generally tend to lump them all together. My friend, Daniel Burgess, has contributed a lot to this conversation. Again, I don't have the time to get into it, so I will direct you to his blog HERE.
At last, we get to the meat of what I want to talk about today: a reading of Genesis 38, the Joseph in Egypt Narrative, and a good look at the character Judah. I have to give a lot of credit to Ben Spackman for providing the foundation of this reading — in his blog on the Sunday school lessons he addresses Gen 38. I have built heavily on and expanded what he wrote. You can see some of what he has written HERE, HERE and HERE.
The Ideal and the Real: Joseph and Judah in Egypt
Genesis chapters 37-50 are one cohesive story, but when we study it we typically cut it into two pieces, and we throw out Genesis 38 because it’s just weird. This, I think, causes us to miss the important story markers that connect the chapters at the beginning to the chapters at the end. Also, Gen 38 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Old Testament because of what it does to Judah's character. I really think Judah is the hero of the story (the whole Joseph in Egypt story), a hero that we overlook because we only focus on Joseph. Judah represents the real human, while Joseph is an ideal human. I think we can all, and shouldn’t be ashamed, to see Judah in all of us.
In Genesis 37 we are introduced to Joseph — the dreamer, and favorite of his father — and we also meet his jealous brothers. Joseph tells his family about his dreams. I think we tend to idealize Joseph and ignore how much of a brat he is about all this. Additionally, I think revenge is on his mind when he sees in brothers in Egypt, and not a "test to see if they changed". But that is an aspect of the story that I don't want to focus on for our purposes today. Joseph, after all, represents the ideal, so we can keep him that way. Joseph never does wrong, keep that in mind. When Joseph went out to the fields to visit his brothers, and they conspired to initially kill him, Ruben, the eldest son, persuaded them to just throw him in a pit (Genesis 38:20–22). Ruben is the oldest, therefore he is supposed to be the leader. But his leadership fails. It is Judah, though, who takes charge of the brothers and changes the plan. “What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content” (Genesis 37:26–27). Judah is perfectly content with selling another human being.
Joseph is then sold as a slave. His precious coat is torn and presented to Jacob. The brothers ask Jacob to “know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no” (Genesis 37:32). The Hebrew root for the word “know” is nakar which means to know, recognize, discern.[1] This word is important as it’s the word the connects all the chapters together. It is then in Genesis 38 that the story moves to Judah and Tamar. Some scholars have argued that this chapter represents an interruption in the Joseph narrative,[2] yet it has several prominent features that contribute to a unity of the larger narrative in Genesis 37–48. In Genesis 38, Tamar marries Er, the son of Judah. For whatever reason, God smites him and he dies. Following the not-yet-codified levirate law of marriage[3] in order to raise a child for the lost son Er, Tamar marries Judah’s next son, Onan. While the KJV beats around the bush, but the NRSV clearly states what his sin is (Gen 38:9 NRSV). Onan has sex with Tamar but pulls out in order to prevent her from having a child that would legally not be his. Thus, he too is killed by God. Judah, having lost two sons refused to give his third son to Tamar, “lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did” (Genesis 38:11). Because Judah would not give his next son to Tamar, the duty of raising a child in the name of Er falls to Judah himself. To get Judah to fulfill his culturally acceptable obligations Tamar crafts a plan. She dresses up as a harlot and encounters Judah. He begins the negotiations to a sexual encounter, but since he has nothing to give her, Tamar requests his signet, bracelet and staff as a “pledge,” or “surety.” This is equivalent to what we would call a security deposit. They agree that Judah would later bring a goat to her as payment and she would return his signet, bracelet and staff. Judah is perfectly content to buy another human being.
Judah conducts his business, and Tamar goes her way never coming back to collect the goat. (An important detail connecting this chapter to the rest is that a goat is used in the deception plot, first to Jacob by the brothers, and now by Tamar to deceive Judah) Months later, when Judah finds out she is pregnant he summons her so that she may be executed by fire (Genesis 38:24). Yet, Tamar produces Judah’s signet, bracelet and staff and says “Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff” (Genesis 38:25). Here we see the same root, nakar, translated as “discern.” These two instances are the only times this word appears in this same form in the entire Bible, and not by chance, this is a deliberate connection. We see the same root appear again in Gen 42:7-8, discernment is a theme running through all these chapters. Judah recognizes his error and pronounces a blessing for her and a condemnation for himself. “She hath been more righteous than I” (Genesis 38:26). This is a sincere recognition of his guilt. According to 1 Chron. 4:21 the first son of Shelah was named Er, thus supporting the notion that Judah did eventually let Tamar marry Shelah and that his first son was given to the line of dead brother thus fulfilling that law. Judah not only recognized his wrong, he accepted it and he corrected it.
The next time we see Judah he is a completely changed person.
The narrative then moves to Joseph in Egypt. First, he is in Potiphar’s house, where Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39:12). This event is meant to be juxtaposed with Judah’s actions in Genesis 38. Often, Joseph is praised as the ideal that everyone should aspire to be like, since he flees from temptation. We are constantly taught to be like Joseph, especially in sexual matters. I don’t think there is necessarily anything wrong with holding this high ideal. However, I think we can see sometimes that when kids hear “be like Joseph” but then when they make a mistake they may think they can never go back to being like Joseph. This ideal standard is just not the reality for many good kids. On the other hand, Judah embodies reality. Everyone makes mistakes, even grave ones, yet there is still room for redemption. Let us continue.
Joseph is then imprisoned until he interprets Pharaoh’s dream of the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Pharaoh promotes Joseph to be in charge of preparations for the famine. After the famine begins, Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they don’t recognize him (Genesis 42:7–8). The word nakar appears here again. During the first visit, Joseph takes Simeon hostage until they bring Benjamin to him (Genesis 42:20, 24). It is during Joseph’s tests of his brothers that we see the repentant man Judah has become. Back in Canaan, the family runs out of food and they must go back to Egypt. Jacob does not consent to Ruben’s pleading to let them take Benjamin (Genesis 42:36–38). Again, Ruben is supposed to be the leader, but he fails a second time. It is Judah who successfully persuades Jacob to release Benjamin into his care. “And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever” (Genesis 43:8–9). Jacob believes he has lost two sons, yet Judah successfully persuades him to surrender a third son. This is juxtaposed with Judah's own actions regarding his sons and Tamar in Gen 38. Back in Egypt, Joseph ensnares Benjamin in a plot. It is Judah’s heartfelt pleading (Genesis 44:18–34) that ultimately persuades Joseph to give up his ruse and reveal himself to his brothers. Judah has the longest monologue in the book of Genesis, thus his words are special. This is not the same Judah who used and abused other people in the past. He is a different, more noble man, because he recognized the gravity of his sins and repented. Where before, Judah was willing to sell and buy other people, here we see Judah is willing to put forward himself as the price or “surety” (another word that shows up here and Gen 38) for another person. Not only does he say he is willing to do so, but when Joseph ensnares Benjamin in the scheme, Judah demonstrates his complete willingness to become Joseph’s slave (Genesis 44:33). This is what finally makes Joseph break down and reveal himself. And they all live happily ever after.
As a side note, this whole narrative is etiological in that it explains how the tribes of Judah and Ephraim (Joseph) become the tribes that rule over the kingdoms of Israel, and why Ruben loses out on the leadership role. So even from an exegetical perspective, the Bible recognizes that Judah’s change in character is the reason why the kings come from him. Joseph is the ideal: never sin, always run from sin. Judah on the other hand is the real. We do sin. It is not ok to sin, because sin separates us from God. But if and when we sin, things can be made good and right. The power of Christ’s atonement reaches even sinners. This is clear from ancient and modern prophets. This is why I think us saints can all appreciate Judah, and that we need to see him as the hero of the story. In different ways we are all Judah. And if people who suffer from sexual sins (and any sin really) recognize that the scriptures depict Judah in all his wickedness rising with grace, I think that can be inspiring. It is especially the sexual nature of Judah’s sin with Tamar that is most applicable for the purposes of the subject of Alma 39. Even if people sin, the world is not permanently ruined, the power of Christ's atonement is still in effect if those people will use it, because it is truly infinite. There are of course consequences, but things can still be made right. That is the reality of things. We can hold to ideals, and we should. At the same time, we must recognize the reality of this fallen world: We are all sinners and come short of the glory of God, and yet no matter what our sins are and despite all, we do it is through the grace of Jesus that we are saved.
Guest post by: Tyson Yapias
Faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Scholar, Chaplain, Marine and Soldier. I love Star Wars and Mormonism, as well as scriptural exegesis and theology.
[1] Francis Brown, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peapody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997), 647–48.[2] Harold W. Attridge et. al., The Harper Collins Study Bible (Sacramento: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006), 62.[3] The Law of Moses codifies this in Deuteronomy 25:5–10.
Mental and Spiritual Health Challenge for General Conference
Twice a year we have the wonderful privilege of hearing from our leaders to receive spiritual guidance and counsel. Each year the messages of these amazing men and women seem to have a greater impact on my life. Maybe you're like me and sometimes feel they prepared their message specifically for you. Conference is a spiritual feast that nourishes your soul when so many other responsibilities and life tax your soul.
Twice a year we have the wonderful privilege of hearing from our leaders to receive spiritual guidance and counsel at the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each year the messages of these amazing men and women seem to have a greater impact on my life. Maybe you're like me and sometimes feel they prepared their message specifically for you. Conference is a spiritual feast that nourishes your soul when so many other responsibilities and life tax your soul.
However, if you are like me and many others, conference can also be anxiety-provoking and overwhelming. There are times a leader’s message doesn't seem to align with scriptural or spiritual guidance received in the course of seeking answers to prayers. Other times, the feelings of anxiety become overwhelming as you have spent the last weeks, months and even years doing all you can to be met with a message of "do more." Sometimes a speaker doesn't seem to understand the complexities of life with their overly simplified solutions, which then elicits the guilty, self-reflective, self-punishing idea that maybe you don't have enough faith.
Elder Holland warned about this risk;
"My brothers and sisters, except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.” We should avoid that latter excessive expectation of ourselves and of others and, I might add, of those who are called to serve in the Church—which for Latter-day Saints means everyone, for we are all called to serve somewhere." —Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually
Although I think most don't believe our leaders are infallible, this is this cultural assumption—that ALL things spoken in conference are "right", "true", "doctrine", or "scripture" and are meant as an infallible guide for your personal life. Unfortunately, this cultural belief feeds the toxic perfectionism spoken of by Elder Holland. Therefore, this conference I encourage you to get the most out of every message by taking the “Mental and Spiritual Health Challenge for General Conference.” Here it is:
1. Verbally remind yourself that God is working through imperfect people with their perceptions, bias, family culture and predispositions.
2. Verbally remind yourself that not everything—in fact, most things—spoken in conference are NOT doctrine, but rather personal experiences of imperfect people making sense of an infinite and eternal gospel.
Edited (10/5/19 12:30 pm) to include the following quotes from Elder Oaks Conference address October 5th, Saturday morning session:
At the same time it should be remembered that not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. It is commonly understood in the Church that a statement made by one leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, not meant to be official or binding for the whole Church. -Elder Todd Christofferson, "The Doctrine of Christ," April 2012 General Conference, Sunday Morning Session (1 Apr 2012)
There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find. The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.” (Mormon 9:31) Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (Nov 2012)
3. Verbally remind yourself to conscientiously check in with your Father in Heaven if the message is meant for you and is something you should prioritize in your life.
4. Verbally acknowledge that even leaders say things that are confusing, unclear and even wrong. Trust your ongoing relationship with God and allow clarity to come from HIM.
5. Verbally acknowledge that if you come away from conference with the idea that you need to do more, be better, work harder, read more scriptures, and/or sacrifice more—it’s most likely the influence of toxic perfectionism and not the spirit of Christ. See Elder Hollands talk cautioning against “toxic perfectionism” here: “Be Ye Therefore Perfect — Eventually”
6. Verbally promise yourself that you will not assume a speaker’s words are more important or correct than your relationship and revelation from God.
7. Verbally acknowledge that emotions are NOT the same as spiritual confirmation or revelation.
8. Verbally remind yourself to be present, feeling and thinking about your own experience during conference.
The gospel is joyous. We should be rejoicing and feeling God’s love and learning how to emulate that love. His love is healing, not hurtful or depressing.
Oral Sex
Exploring the Appropriateness of Oral Sex in Marital Intimacy: A Comprehensive Analysis of LDS Church Teachings
Exploring the LDS Church's stance on intimate behaviors within marriage and the cultural and moral inconsistencies that arise
[Editors Note, March 2021: This blog post refers to content that could be found in the LDS Handbook 2. Since this blog was published, that Handbook has now been marked as “obsolete,” and the Church’s website will redirect you to its current handbook. Please keep in mind that some of the quotes/phrases debated in this blog post no longer exist in updated church literature.]
Introduction
The appropriateness of oral sex within a marital relationship has been a topic of great debate for years. This discussion has led to confusion and misinterpretation of various teachings, creating moral and spiritual inconsistency within our culture. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the LDS Church's stance on intimate behaviors within marriage and the resulting inconsistencies that arise from the debate. By dissecting the official LDS Handbook 2, exploring cultural confusion, and examining the implications of past teachings, we aim to shed light on the question: Is oral sex an appropriate sexual behavior, or is it an "unnatural" and "unholy" sexual practice?
LDS Handbook 2 on Sexual Behavior in Marriage
The official LDS Handbook 2: Administering the Church provides limited guidance on sexual behavior in marriage, stating the following:
"Married couples should also understand that sexual relations within marriage are divinely approved not only for the purpose of procreation but also as a way of expressing love and strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife." (21.4.4 Birth Control) [1]
"The Lord’s law of chastity is abstinence from sexual relations outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations, and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the Lord’s law of chastity or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline." (21.4.5 Chastity and Fidelity) [2]
These two quotes provide general guidance but do not offer explicit instruction on specific behaviors within marriage. The debate on the appropriateness of oral sex within marriage arises from the phrase "...and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful."
Cultural Confusion and Subjectivity
The phrase mentioned above has led to differing interpretations and confusion among church members. In their book "Real Intimacy: A Couples' Guide to Healthy, Genuine Sexuality," authors Thomas G. Harrison, Kristin B. Hodson, and Alisha Worthington address this cultural confusion:
"There is a quote from a handbook produced by the LDS Church that advises people to guard against anything "unnatural" within the bonds of their sexual relationship. This is where semantics come into play. What exactly does "unnatural" mean? Is it "unnatural to stick your tongue in your spouse's ear because the ear isn't a "natural" place for a tongue to go? Some people interpret "unnatural" to mean anything other than the traditional missionary sexual position, while others have a much broader definition of the word. Who is right?" (Real Intimacy, pg. 98) [3]
The subjectivity of the term "unnatural" has led to a variety of opinions, some even claiming that sex for any purpose other than procreation is unnatural and an abuse of sacred power. Others argue that oral sex, specifically, is an "unholy, unnatural, or impure practice," often citing President Kimball's January 5, 1982, letter to leadership: "...The First Presidency has interpreted oral sex as constituting an 'unnatural, impure, or unholy practice.'" [4]
Contextual Issues with Quoting President Kimball's Letter
There are at least three significant issues with quoting President Kimball's letter out of context.
First, the quote often omits the following sentence: "If a person is engaged in a practice which troubles him enough to ask about it, he should discontinue it." [5] This sentence highlights the importance of individual conscience, but it also raises additional questions regarding the influence of family, culture, taboo, and traditions on feelings of being "troubled" by specific behaviors.
Second, the January 5, 1982 letter was specifically addressed to the interviewing leadership of the Church. The First Presidency emphasized the importance of saving souls and provided guidance on conducting worthiness interviews. In the context of discussing "no unclean thing" entering the temple, they list several potential "unclean" practices, including oral sex. However, it can be interpreted that the context implies oral sex as an abuse of power within a marriage. Thus, oral sex, when engaged in mutually and without coercion, is between the couple and the Lord and is not inherently abusive or unnatural. [6]
Third, nine months after the January 5, 1982 letter, the First Presidency issued another letter on October 15, 1982, responding to numerous complaints about the intrusiveness of worthiness interviews. They reminded leaders to follow the "temple recommend book" precisely and not to inquire into personal, intimate matters involving marital relations. Leaders were also instructed not to pursue questions about the propriety of specific conduct if asked by a member. [7]
Despite these clarifications, some members continue to cite the January 5, 1982 letter as evidence that oral sex is an "unnatural, impure, or unholy practice." They often argue that a Prophet's words are as good as a command, citing Doctrine & Covenants 21:4 ("Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you"). [8] This selective interpretation creates a paradox in which church members demand clarity in all things while also proclaiming that "it is not meet that [God] should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant" (D&C 58:26). [9]
Moral and Spiritual Inconsistency
The insistence that oral sex (or other sexual behaviors) is an "unnatural, impure, or unholy practice" reveals a moral and spiritual inconsistency in our culture. Those who argue against oral sex often simultaneously argue that birth control is between the couple and the Lord. However, there have been more statements specifically declaring the "evil" and "selfishness" of birth control than those about marital sexual behaviors. [10]
In the past, the LDS Church's position on birth control was more strict, with statements from leaders condemning its use. However, over time, this stance has softened, and the current church teachings allow couples to decide for themselves the appropriateness of using birth control. [11]
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the appropriateness of oral sex within marriage highlights the importance of understanding the context and intent of church teachings. When examining the official LDS Handbook 2, we can see that there is limited guidance on specific sexual behaviors within marriage. The subjectivity of the term "unnatural" has contributed to confusion and varying interpretations among church members.
It is crucial to remember that past teachings must be understood in their proper context, as seen with President Kimball 's January 5, 1982 letter. Failing to consider the context and intent of the letter can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. The First Presidency's October 15, 1982 letter further emphasizes the importance of respecting the privacy of marital relations and not delving into personal, intimate matters.
The paradox of seeking clarity in all things while asserting that God should not command in all things can create confusion and inconsistency within the church. As church members, it is essential to acknowledge that individual conscience and the relationship between the couple and the Lord should guide marital sexual behavior.
Furthermore, the inconsistency in the cultural perspective on oral sex and birth control illustrates the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of church teachings. Recognizing the changes in the church's stance on birth control can help provide a more balanced approach to understanding the guidelines around sexual behavior in marriage.
In conclusion, the question of whether oral sex is appropriate sexual behavior within marriage should be approached with understanding, respect, and consideration of the context of church teachings. It is essential to remember that marital sexual behavior is a deeply personal and private matter, and it should be guided by individual conscience and the relationship between the couple and the Lord. Ultimately, open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to nurturing emotional and spiritual bonds can help couples navigate the complexities of sexual intimacy within marriage.
References:
[1] LDS Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 21.4.4 Birth Control
Previous handbook: "Married couples should also understand that sexual relations within marriage are divinely approved not only for the purpose of procreation, but also as a way of expressing love and strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife." 21.4.4 Birth Control
New Handbook: Physical intimacy between husband and wife is intended to be beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife (see 2.1.2). 38.6.4 Birth Control
[2] LDS Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 21.4.5 Chastity and Fidelity
Previous handbook: "The Lord’s law of chastity is abstinence from sexual relations outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations, and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the Lord’s law of chastity or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline." 21.4.5 Chastity and Fidelity
New Handbook: [Removes the language of ‘unholy, unnatural…’] “Physical intimacy between husband and wife is intended to be beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife.” 38.6.5 Chastity and Fidelity
[3] "Real Intimacy: A Couples' Guide to Healthy, Genuine Sexuality" by Thomas G. Harrison, Kristin B. Hodson, Alisha Worthington pg 98
[4] "The First Presidency has interpreted oral sex as constituting an 'unnatural, impure, or unholy practice.'"
[5] "If a person is engaged in a practice which troubles him enough to ask about it, he should discontinue it."
[6] January 5, 1982 letter, context, and interpretation
[7] October 15, 1982 letter, responding to complaints about the intrusiveness of worthiness interviews
[8] Doctrine & Covenants 21:4 ("Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you")
[9] Doctrine & Covenants 58:26 ("it is not meet that [God] should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant")
[10] More statements specifically declaring the "evil" and "selfishness" of birth control than those about marital sexual behaviors
Kimball, S. W. (1969). "The Role of Marriage in America," Ensign, September 1976.
McConkie, B. R. (1966). "Birth Control: Is It Up to Man?" Ensign, August 1971.
Benson, E. T. (1972). "To the Mothers in Zion," Ensign, May 1987.
Smith, J. F. (1907). "Marriage and Birth Control," Juvenile Instructor, vol. 42, pp. 40-41.
Clark, J. R. (1969). "God's Free Children," Ensign, November 1987.
These sources contain quotes from various LDS leaders in which they explicitly express their opposition to birth control and describe it as "evil" or "selfish." However, it is worth noting that these quotes are not the only statements made by LDS leaders on the topic of birth control, and that there is a range of opinions within the church on this issue.
[11] Evolution of the LDS Church's position on birth control
Hardy, B. (2018). “Birth Control,” in The Mormon Church and Birth Control: A History. University of Illinois Press.
Flake, K. (2004). The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle. UNC Press Books.
Quinn, D. M. (1997). The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power. Signature Books.
Staker, M. A. (2017). “The Birth Control Controversy,” in Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith’s Ohio Revelations. Greg Kofford Books.
Walch, T. (2019). Church Historian’s Press Announces Publication of “The Diaries of Emmeline B. Wells”. Church News.
Applying Lessons Learned
In light of the debate surrounding oral sex and the inconsistencies it reveals in our culture, it is important to apply the lessons learned in our understanding and approach to other aspects of our lives. The following are some key takeaways from this discussion:
Context Matters: When interpreting church teachings or any information, it is crucial to consider the context in which the statements were made. This helps to prevent misunderstandings and the perpetuation of misinformation.
Respect for Privacy: Personal and intimate matters, such as marital sexual behavior, should be treated with respect and privacy. Intrusive questions and discussions can cause unnecessary discomfort and may lead to the spread of false or outdated information.
Emphasize Individual Conscience and Spiritual Guidance: Recognize that individuals and couples have unique experiences and perspectives. Encourage reliance on personal conscience and spiritual guidance from the Lord to navigate the complexities of life, including decisions about sexual intimacy in marriage.
Foster Open Communication: Encourage open communication between couples, helping them to discuss their feelings, desires, and concerns about sexual intimacy. This can help to create a healthy foundation for their relationship and ensure mutual understanding and respect.
Be Mindful of Cultural Inconsistencies: Acknowledge the potential for cultural inconsistencies in our approach to various topics, such as oral sex and birth control. Seek to understand the evolution of church teachings and strive for a more balanced and informed perspective.
Adaptability and Growth: Recognize that church teachings and societal attitudes can change over time. Be open to adapting your understanding and approach to various issues as new information becomes available.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding the appropriateness of oral sex within marriage offers valuable insights into the importance of context, privacy, individual conscience, and open communication. By applying these lessons, church members can cultivate a more balanced, informed, and respectful approach to a wide range of topics and issues. In doing so, they can create an environment that fosters growth, understanding, and spiritual unity.
Additional Resources
LDS therapists often approach the topic of oral sex in the context of a healthy, consensual, and respectful marital relationship. They emphasize the importance of open communication, consent, and individual agency in making decisions about sexual intimacy within marriage. Here are a few quotes and citations from sex-positive LDS therapists:
Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, a licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach who specializes in working with LDS couples, has spoken about the importance of a healthy sexual relationship within marriage. In an interview with Rational Faiths, she said:
"I think people have to be thoughtful and prayerful about their sexual relationship and what feels good to them and what feels right to them. I think it's okay to be uncomfortable and to push your comfort zone some, but I also think it's okay to have your own sense of what feels right to you and to honor that." Link: https://www.finlayson-fife.com/podcasts/conversations-with-dr-jennifer/podcast/rational-faiths
Natasha Helfer, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex therapist, has addressed the topic of oral sex in the context of LDS marriages. In an article for the Mormon Mental Health Association, she wrote:
"Many couples report that oral sex is an important part of their sexual repertoire and helps increase not only pleasure, but emotional connection and intimacy. As long as both parties feel comfortable and consensual with any sexual activity, there should be no shame or guilt associated with it." Link: https://www.mormonmentalhealthassoc.org/_blog/mmha_blog/post/oral_sex/
Dr. Kristin Hodson, a licensed clinical social worker and certified sex therapist, co-authored "Real Intimacy: A Couples' Guide to Healthy, Genuine Sexuality," a book for LDS couples seeking to build healthy and satisfying sexual relationships. In the book, Hodson and her co-authors discuss the subjectivity of the term "unnatural" in the context of sexual behaviors:
"What exactly does 'unnatural' mean? Is it 'unnatural' to stick your tongue in your spouse's ear because the ear isn't a 'natural' place for a tongue to go? Some people interpret 'unnatural' to mean anything other than the traditional missionary sexual position, while others have a much broader definition of the word. Who is right?" Link: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Intimacy-Couples-Healthy-Genuine-ebook/dp/B007C8NRC6
Laura M. Brotherson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and author of "And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment," has discussed a variety of topics related to sexuality and marriage from an LDS perspective. In her book, she encourages couples to openly communicate about their desires, boundaries, and comfort levels to foster a healthy, satisfying, and intimate connection:
"Mutual understanding and agreement about sexual practices within marriage is essential for a couple's physical and emotional intimacy. This includes discussing and agreeing upon personal preferences and boundaries regarding any aspect of sexual expression, including oral sex." Link: https://www.amazon.com/They-Were-Not-Ashamed-Strengthening/dp/1587830347
Julie de Azevedo Hanks, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and owner of Wasatch Family Therapy, has shared her insights on sexual intimacy within marriage from an LDS perspective. In an interview with KSL, she emphasized the importance of communication, consent, and individual agency:
"Every couple needs to decide what they feel comfortable with in their intimate relationship. Couples need to communicate openly about their desires, boundaries, and comfort levels to foster a healthy, satisfying, and intimate connection. This may include discussing preferences and comfort levels regarding oral sex." Link: https://www.ksl.com/article/46430115/ask-an-expert-how-to-talk-to-your-spouse-about-sex
While these LDS therapists may not specifically mention oral sex in their public interviews or writings, their approach to sexual relationships within marriage encourages couples to communicate openly about their desires, boundaries, and comfort levels to foster a healthy, satisfying, and intimate connection, which can include discussing preferences and comfort levels regarding oral sex.
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Sunday School Lessons
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The following slides are for examples only. They are NOT intended to provide definitive, exhaustive lesson details but rather demonstrate the progression and types of outlines used in the Sunday School for Parents with Toddlers post. If there are any doctrinal errors or mistakes, I take full responsibility, and this is not intended to represent the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint views.
Due to the size of the slides and limited space, I have removed the video and audio associated with the respective slides. Additionally, as shared in the blog post "Sunday School for the Noisy," these slides are not intended to present everything in the lesson. Where possible, I have found it best to keep the slides as simple as possible.
Check back often for new slides. I have over 100 presentations I am eventually going to post. It’s fun to look through them and see each week’s slides improved in quality and conciseness. Enjoy!
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Goodly Parents
Here’s something to consider when reading 1 Nephi 1:1.
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."
Ben Spackman (a PhD student at Claremont, studying history of religion and science, with a focus on issues of fundamentalism, literalism, creationism, and evolution) provides the following interpretation:
"This is a long-standing argument among a few bloggers, including me. In the first few verses, Nephi explains that, because his parents were ‘goodly,’ he was taught not just to read (very unusual in the ancient world) but to write (even more unusual), and moreover, to write in two scripts or languages (depending on how we understand the ‘Egypt’ reference). That degree of learning is much more dependent upon Lehi’s financial status than his goodness. Context thus favors the interpretation of ‘well-off.’ The (weaker, in my view) counter-argument comes from dictionaries, which don’t list something like ‘well-off’ as a meaning, so it would be fairly idiomatic usage there in 1Ne 1:1.
Read more of Ben Spackman’s thoughts here.
You Are Probably A Mormon Fundamentalist
Have you ever said something like, "I believe all the words of the Prophet." Or, "No matter what the Prophet says, I will do it or I will believe it." Or have you dismissed uncomfortable ideas or unfamiliar concepts from sound, faithful scholarship and defaulted to a comment similar to, "The Prophet is silent on this; therefore, I don't need to know." Or even made a general statement of, "Always side with the Prophet in intellectual and spiritual matters."
If you have, you are most-likely a Mormon Fundamentalist. Interestingly, by making comments or believing this way you are in fact NOT believing the words of the Prophet. Elder Harold B. Lee in quoting Brigham Young said the following:
“‘I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are being led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give their leaders if they know for themselves by the revelations of Jesus Christ that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves whether their leaders are walking in the way the Lord dictates or not.’
To me, there is a tremendous truth. It is not alone sufficient for us as Latter-day Saints to follow our leaders and to accept their counsel, but we have the greater obligation to gain for ourselves the unshakable testimony of [1] the divine appointment of these men and [2] the witness that what they have told us is the will of our Heavenly Father.” —Quoted by Elder Harold B. Lee of the Quorum of the Twelve in Teachings of the Living Prophets (p. 47; Conference Report, Oct. 1950, pp. 129-130)
I've seen this happen too many times: men and women of profound faith attacked, condemned, judged and called to repentance for solid scholarship and sincere questions. Although I don't consider myself a scholar, I have also been on the receiving end of those who've been rebuked for doctrinal exploration. But I have also repeatedly seen brilliant individuals who are established scholars — whom the apostles refer to on their specialties — called out and condemned by Mormon fundamentalists. (Take for example Daniel A. Petersen, who was rebuked for not following the manual, of which he was the author/contributor.)
Because the scholars’ perspectives don't fit within narrow fundamentalist views, the fundamentalists feel they have to proclaim the prophetic view, as opposed to faithfully seeking out truth.
What prompted this post was this exact exchange with one such scholar on Facebook:
Today's encounter with unthinking LDS (non-polygamous) fundamentalism, directed at me.
"Wow. I cannot believe they are letting you teach the youth. Brother ---, all I can say to you is I wish you well. I will believe the words that come out of the Prophet's mouth. I am one who would wear purple socks every Thursday if that is what he says to do. You can cite non-LDS sources. I'll stick to the church approved. My salvation isn't worth dabbling in the philosophies of men. Have a great life."
FWIW, I wasn't citing non-LDS sources or doing any of these other things, but this kind of worldview is very fragile and easily threatened.
In his insightful, faith-saving/-strengthening book "Shaken Faith Syndrome," Michael Ash addresses this rigid perspective of fundamentalism:
"Having interacted — for over two decades — with people whose testimonies have been weakened or destroyed by something they have ‘discovered’ about the Church, I have generally found that those who are prone to fundamentalist ideology about certain facets of the gospel or early LDS historical events, are more likely to apostatize when they encounter challenging issues.
I use the term 'fundamentalist' in a way that may differ from other usages of the term. In LDS circles, for instance, the term 'fundamentalist' commonly denotes those who still practice polygamy. This is not how the term is used in this book.
Among many Christians, the term generally refers to conservative evangelicals who actively affirm what they see as fundamental Christian beliefs such as an inerrant Bible, which is literally interpreted and historically accurate despite any conflicting claims from science and modern scholarship. By association, the term 'fundamentalist' is also used to describe all those (of various religious beliefs) who take a very ridged, dogmatic, uncompromising, and unchanging approach to their ideologies (or belief systems). This definition more accurately depicts the way the term is used ..." (pg. 5)
Elder Hugh B. Brown in his book, “An Abundant Life” said the following:
“I admire men and women who have developed the questing spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas as stepping stones to progress. We should of course respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent – if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression … This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable. Neither fear of consequence or any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it.
With respect to people feeling that whatever the brethren say is gospel, this tends to undermine the proposition of freedom of speech and thought. As members of the church we are bound to sustain and support the brethren in the positions they occupy so long as their conduct entitles them to that. But we also have only to defend those doctrines of the church contained in the four standard works — the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Anything beyond that by anyone is his or her own opinion and not scripture. Although there are certain statements that whatever the brethren say becomes the word of God, this is a dangerous practice to apply to all leaders and all cases. The only way I know of by which the teachings of any person or group may become binding upon the church is if the teachings have been reviewed by all the brethren, submitted to the highest councils of the church, and then approved by the whole body of the church.
I do not doubt that the brethren have often spoken under inspiration and given new emphasis — perhaps even a new explanation or interpretation — of church doctrine, but that does not become binding upon the church unless and until it is submitted to the scrutiny of the rest of the brethren and later to the vote of the people.
And while all members should respect, support, and heed the teachings of the authorities of the church, no one should accept a statement and base his or her testimony upon it, no matter who makes it, until he or she has, under mature examination, found it to be true and worthwhile; then one's logical deductions may be confirmed by the spirit of revelation to his or her spirit, because real conversion must come from within." —Hugh B. Brown, A Final Testimony
Furthermore, Michael Ash points out the logical fallacy in clinging to prophet’s words.
"And why should we follow their counsel if they might be wrong?
The truth is that we already pick and choose when we follow the words of the prophets. We also pick and choose the counsel we follow from the scriptures, our boss, the law, health professionals, our parents, spouses, etc. Since we are not perfect and not robots, it always comes down to personal choice ..." (pg. 33)
We are commanded to seek further truth, to study from all good books, to even question concepts, traditions and doctrines. It is the very purpose of our agency; it is what builds our faith and testimony. Not questioning/exploring is a lack of faith.
One scholar, Ben Spackman, has posted these insightful words to his social media of Eugene England, quoting B.H. Roberts:
"I believe 'Mormonism' affords opportunity … for thoughtful disciples who will not be content with merely repeating some of its truths, but will develop its truths; and enlarge it by that development ... The disciples of ‘Mormonism,’ growing discontented with the necessarily primitive methods which have hitherto prevailed in sustaining the doctrine, will yet take profounder and broader views of the great doctrines committed to the Church; and, departing from mere repetition, will cast them in new formulas; cooperating in the works of the Spirit, until they help to give to the truths received a more forceful expression, and carry it beyond the earlier and cruder stages of its development.”
England then comments,
"President Roberts, of course, is not suggesting that the intellectual's task is to create new doctrine, but rather to take revealed doctrine and give it new formulations that will relate to the changing world we live in, that will enable us, for instance, to more effectively criticize our flawed social, political, artistic and intellectual environment by using the great germ-truths of the gospel." Dialogue 9:4 (Winter 1974), 47
I encourage you to seek out truth from all sources, to engage in meaningful dialog, to apply faith in your curiosity versus running to "safety" under a Prophetic blanket. We need more Saints who are well informed and can, as it says in Peter, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [faith]." (1 Peter 3:15)
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Additional Supporting Quotes:
Encouraging all to read, study, research and learn, apostle Charles W. Penrose (who would later serve as counselor to President Smith) declared,
“President Wilford Woodruff is a man of wisdom and experience, and we respect him, but we do not believe his personal views or utterances are revelations from God; and when ‘Thus saith the Lord’, comes from him, the saints investigate it: they do not shut their eyes and take it down like a pill.” (Millennial Star 54:191)
“And none are required to tamely and blindly submit to a man because he has a portion of the priesthood. We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark, that they would do anything they were told to do by those who presided over them, if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God … would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without asking any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their minds to do wrong themselves.” (Millennial Star, vol.14 #38, pp. 593–95)
Brigham Young said:
“What a pity it would be, if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.” (JD 9:150)
“How easy it would be for your leaders to lead you to destruction, unless you actually know the mind and will of the spirit yourselves.” (JD 4:368)
“I do not wish any Latter-day Saint in this world, nor in heaven, to be satisfied with anything I do, unless the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spirit of revelation, makes them satisfied …Suppose that the people were heedless, that they manifested no concern with regard to the things of the kingdom of God, but threw the whole burden upon the leaders of the people, saying, ‘If the brethren who take charge of matters are satisfied, we are,’ this is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord.” (JD 3:45)
“Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the nfluences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another’s sleeve, will NEVER be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, [Gordon] or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory,immortality, and eternal lives; never can hold scepters of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer.” (JD 1:312)
“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel [see, for example, verses 9-10: ‘If the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing … the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him.’] … said the Lord had declared by the Prophet [Ezekiel], that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church — that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls — applied it to the present state [1842] of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall — that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves …” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pp. 237-38)
George Q. Cannon, Counselor to three Church Presidents, expressed it thus: “Do not, brethren, put your trust in man though he be a bishop, an apostle, or a president. If you do, they will fail you at some time or place; they will do wrong or seem to, and your support be gone.” (Millennial Star 53:658-59, quoted in GospelTruth, 1:319)
Subdivisions In The Celestial Kingdom
The traditional view of the Celestial Kingdom divided into three subdivision and its respective requirements (D&C 131:1-4) appear to be problematic, specifically the interpretation of “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest …”
What we have here is something called “doctrines in transition.” I’ll explain this in a moment.
But first let’s review two absolutes we do know: the Atonement and agency. These two concepts are eternal and have been promised for our salvation. You cannot have one without the other. A good test of pure doctrine is to ask yourself if this "doctrine" contradicts the doctrine of atonement and agency. The traditional reading of D&C 131, would suggest the only way for one to obtain the Celestial Kingdom, would be dependent on the choice of a future spouse. This seems to contradicts the Plan of Salvation and its fundamental law of agency.
Additionally, this traditional idea seems to promote a type of gospel perfectionism that makes even the most faithful members and believers in Christ wonder if they have "done enough." The Atonement is infinite in its power, and God has made it possible for us all to return in the FULLNESS of his Glory, IF you accept Him — not if your spouse (or lack of one) chooses otherwise.
It’s important to understand that agency must remain to correctly understand this scripture. As such, the traditional interpretation of this passage (being that the Celestial Kingdom is divided into three sub-degrees of glory, and its requirement of eternal marriage) makes your salvation dependent on another’s covenant keeping — which seems to negate agency.
Although it is possible for the celestial glory to be divided into MANY different “kingdoms” or levels (as in “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”), John 14:2 doesn’t say exactly what this means. But in the context of D&C 131:1-4, it has transitioned over the years and morphed into concepts never taught by Joseph Smith. The fact that Joseph Smith didn’t teach it doesn’t mean modern-day revelation can’t clarify the teaching. But there has never been further “revelation” on the topic, only “logical” conclusion, which is based off a potentially faulty understanding of the passage. Let’s look at the first verse a little differently.
“In the celestial glory …”
To correctly understand, we first need to understand a common fallacy called “presentism”, which is the act of applying current understanding and word meanings to historic events. In other words, words don’t have the same meaning throughout history. It’s a logical fallacy to read this scripture, specifically “celestial glory” with its NOW concrete definition, as though Joseph Smith also had that same definition. Not the case. “Celestial glory” was an expression of what we now refer to as the universe or all the space above. Also, if he was referring to the specific kingdom, Joseph Smith would have used the same language as he did in every other mentioning of it: “celestial kingdom” not “celestial glory.”
“there are three heavens or degrees”
With the understanding of word usage and presentism, we can now clearly see Joseph Smith’s usage of “three heavens or degrees.” Let me write the scripture in modern day language. “In the celestial glory (the plan of salvation, this universal creation) there are three heavens or degrees (God created three degrees of heaven/glory).” Furthermore, if there were “subdivisions” and it was important enough to not only mention it, but as you’ll see in the next part, Joseph Smith says there is a strict condition for obtaining the “highest” degree within the Celestial Kingdom. It would be logical to believe he would have clarified (or at the very LEAST alluded to this concept in D&C 76, or any of his other sermons), but it’s not mentioned anywhere.
What I believe confuses the topic and potentially perpetuated and continued to solidify this mistaken idea is what the scripture says next: “And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.”
One can still interpret (with the understanding of presentism/word usage) this second verse correctly. But this concept of “marriage” is added! Then it’s further reinforced with, “If he does not, he cannot obtain it.” We learn in D&C 76 and other teachings that baptism (acceptance of Christ) is required for Celestial Glory. But this “additional” requirement seems to make it sound like there are further levels that we have to qualify within the Celestial Kingdom. This is problematic because it places your eternal salvation on the righteousness of your spouse — that is if you ever marry in the first place.
This would suggest that, for example, if never get married, you (or any other righteous, covenant keeping individual) would never reach the highest glory within the Celestial Kingdom. This concept seems to negate our personal agency, no matter how righteous we are. In another example: if you were married in the temple to your spouse for 40 years (or any length of time)—keeping covenants all the while— but then your spouse leaves The Church, you are no longer qualified for eternal glory in the highest Celestial Kingdom?
Sure, we can qualify this condition by supposing, “God will make it right it the eternities and bless the spouseless with an eternal companion.” Is it possible? Of course, God is God. But nowhere is that revealed. It’s complete speculation, used to fill the gap of our understanding.
Two things about this second and third need to be understood. First, “meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” was NEVER in the revelation. The words in the brackets were added by and from William Clayton’s journal, where they were only one notation of his thoughts on the revelation. Not Joseph Smith’s actual words. These words represent comments on the priesthood from Joseph to Benjamin F. Johnson and his wife on May 16, 1843, at the home of William G. Perkins in Ramus, Illinois, as recorded by William Clayton in his journal — which is the source for them. This material was first published in the Deseret News on September 24, 1856, and was included in the 1876 edition of the D&C (which is when the bracketed editorial insertion was also made).
The second thing is that “order of the priesthood” does not mean specifically “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.” Additionally, it is doctrinally redundant and possibly confusing to refer to marriage as the “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.” Because marriage is only one of the things within the new and everlasting covenant, marriage is NOT the entirety of the new and everlasting covenant. I’ve included quotes below that support this idea.
Is it still possible that there are multiple levels or glories? Sure, its possible. But this is not evidence of that doctrine or teaching. As a result of the traditional teaching, this concept of “Doctrines in Transition” has occurred — more correctly, doctrines morphing into speculation. I’ve included quotes below that show how leaders of the church have “supposed” that if there are three degrees in the Celestial Kingdom, then it’s logical to conclude there are three in each kingdom … do you see how this is perpetual and speculative?
What Is The New And Everlasting Covenant?
President Joseph Fielding Smith defines the new and everlasting covenant in these words:
“What is the new and everlasting covenant? I regret to say that there are some members of the Church who are misled and misinformed in regard to what the new and everlasting covenant really is. The new and everlasting covenant is the sum total of all gospel covenants and obligations, and I want to prove it. In the 66th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 2, I read: ‘Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fullness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old.’
More definitely stated is the definition of the new and everlasting covenant given to us in section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Now I am going to say before I read this that marriage is not the new and everlasting covenant. If there are any here that have that idea I want to say that right to them. Baptism is not the new and everlasting covenant. In section 22 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says that baptism is ‘a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.’ Marriage in the temple of the Lord for time and for eternity is ‘a’ new and everlasting covenant. (Doctrine of Salvation, 1:156.)”
As to why it is called a new covenant, President Smith wrote,
“Each ordinance and requirement given to man for the purpose of bringing to pass his salvation and exaltation is a covenant. Baptism for the remission of sins is a covenant. When this ordinance was revealed in this dispensation, the Lord called it ‘a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.’
This covenant was given in the beginning and was lost to men through apostasy, therefore, when it was revealed again, it became to man a new covenant, although it was from the beginning, and it is everlasting since its effects upon the individual endure forever. Then again, whenever there is need for repentance, baptism is the method, or law, given of the Lord by which the remission of sins shall come, and so this law is everlasting. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:152.)”
This covenant includes all ordinances of the gospel— the highest of which are performed in the temple. To quote President Smith again,
“Now there is a clear-cut definition of the new and everlasting covenant. It is everything — the fulness of the gospel. So marriage properly performed, baptism, ordination to the priesthood, everything else — every contract, every obligation, every performance that pertains to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise according to his law here given, is part of the new and everlasting covenant. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:158)”
Three Degrees In Each Kingdom???
Here are a couple of quotes that indicate that this would seem to be the case:
Elder James E. Talmage
“The three kingdoms of widely differing glories are organized on an orderly plan of gradation. We have seen that the telestial kingdom comprises several subdivisions; this also is the case, we are told, with the celestial; (D&C 131:1, 2 Cor 12:1-4) and, by analogy, we conclude that a similar condition prevails in the terrestrial. Thus the innumerable degrees of merit amongst mankind are provided for in an infinity of graded glories. The celestial kingdom is supremely honored by the personal ministrations of the Father and the Son. The terrestrial kingdom will be administered through the higher, without a fulness of glory. The telestial is governed through the ministrations of the terrestrial, by “angels who are appointed to minister for them.” (D&C 76:86-88) 1
Bruce R. McConkie
“Glory of the stars: Telestial glory found only in the telestial kingdom. ‘In the infinite mercy of a beneficent Father it [telestial kingdom] surpasses all mortal understanding, and yet it is in no way comparable to the glory of the terrestrial and celestial worlds. Telestial glory is typified by the stars of the firmament, and ‘as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world’ (D& C 76:81-112; 1 Cor. 15:41), meaning that all who inherit the telestial kingdom will not receive the same glory.’” 2
“Rewards granted individuals in eternity will vary between and within kingdoms. Only those who are sealed in the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and who thereafter keep the terms and conditions of that covenant will attain the highest of three heavens within the celestial kingdom. (D&C 131:1-4.) Inhabitants of the telestial kingdom will differ in glory among themselves “as one star differs from another star in glory.” (D&C 76:98; 1 Cor. 15:41.) Similar variations will exist among inheritors of the terrestrial kingdom. (D&C 76:71-79.)” 3
John A. Widstoe
“These gradations in salvation may be innumerable, since all members of the human family are different. The many gradations are however reduced to three classes: (1) the celestial, the highest, as of the sun in glory; (2) the terrestrial, the next, as of the moon; (3) the telestial, the lowest, as of the stars.” 4
Elder James E. Talmage
“The three kingdoms of widely differing glories are severally organized on a plan of gradation. The Telestial kingdom comprises subdivisions; this also is the case, we are told, with the Celestial; and, by analogy, we conclude that a similar condition prevails in the Terrestrial. Thus the innumerable degrees of merit amongst mankind are provided for in an infinity of graded glories. The Celestial kingdom is supremely honored by the personal ministrations of the Father and the Son. The Terrestrial kingdom will be administered through the higher, without a fulness of glory. The Telestial is governed through the ministrations of the Terrestrial, by “angels who are appointed to minister for them.” 5
Notes
1. James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968], 83. In the 4th printing of this book (the 1962 printing) this quote is found on page 99.
2. Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 778.
3. Mormon Doctrine, p. 420.
4. John A. Widstoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p.199.
5. James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, p. 409.
Word of Wisdom: A Modern Interpretation (Full Book)
Word of Wisdom: A Modern Interpretation
BY JOHN A. WIDTSOE AND LEAH D. WIDTSOE
Published by
DESERET BOOK COMPANY 1937 Copyright 1937
THE DESERET NEWS PRESS
Printed in the United States of America
TO PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT
Life-long observer, defender and expounder of the WORD OF WISDOM
Whose vigor of body and mind at four score and one years is evidence of the benefits derived from compliance with this divinely given code of health This book is affectionately dedicated.
PREFACE
The Word of Wisdom, a code of health dealing primarily with human nutrition, was promulgated as a divine revelation in 1833 by Joseph Smith, the "Mormon" Prophet. It is a part of the religious system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which declares that the care of the body is a sacred duty; and it has been practiced measurably by members of the Church with very favorable results.
Three objectives have been kept in mind in the preparation of this book. First, to make clear the meaning of the Word of Wisdom in terms of modern knowledge. Second, to show that the learning of the last century confirms the teachings of the Word of Wisdom. Third, to furnish some information for the guidance, through proper nutrition, of those who seek to retain, improve or recover their health.
The Word of Wisdom is not another food fad, of which there have been thousands in the world's history. It is a simple, rational dietary system conforming to general human experience and to accurate scientific knowledge; and is an important guide to physical welfare. Those who are well should practice the Word of Wisdom as a prevention of disease. Those who are ill should not only practice the Word of Wisdom, but should also seek professional help from the well-trained and reliable physicians of this day. The recent advances in the science of human nutrition are gradually being included in the curricula of medical schools; and the medical profession is aware as never before of the importance of proper nutrition in the maintenance of health and the curing of disease.
More than a generation ago the authors of this book sought out and studied with the world's leaders in the sciences underlying nutrition, and have been connected at various times since then with the scientific and practical aspects of the subject. Out of this life-long, intimate association with the Word of Wisdom and the sciences back of it have come two main convictions: that this health code promotes human welfare; and that the full accord of the Word of Wisdom with advancing science is a convincing evidence of the divine inspiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The books listed at the end of each chapter offer opportunities for more detailed study of the subjects herein discussed as parts of the Word of Wisdom.
Latter-day Saints and all others would do well to acquaint themselves with the truths, positive and negative, taught and implied in the Word of Wisdom, and to practice its precepts so that disease may be prevented. Thereby they would win the fundamentals of life's happiness.
Grateful acknowledgment is made of the assistance rendered by many friends in the preparation of this book. Elders Joseph Fielding Smith, Joseph F. Merrill, Charles A. Callis and Albert E. Bowen of the Council of Twelve, and Prof. N. I. Butt and Dr. Vasco M. Tanner of the Brigham Young University, and Richard L. Evans, of the Improvement Era, have read the manuscript and given valuable suggestions. James H. Wallis, Glyn Bennion and Hugo D. E. Peterson have given much assistance in the proof-reading of the book.
THE WORD OF WISDOM
A revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833 1 (see chapter 3).
I. Introduction 2 (see chapters 2 to 4)
1. A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—
2. To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3. Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
4. Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
II. Negative Health Factors (see chapters 5 to 7)
5. That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7. And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8. And again, tobacco is not 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.
9. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
III. Positive Health Factors (see chapters 9 to 16)
10. And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11. Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
12. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13. And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
14. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
16. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17. Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
IV. Rewards (see chapters 2 and 18)
18. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20. And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
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Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants Section 89.
2. Division headings I, II, III, IV, ours.
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Chapter 2
NEED OF HEALTH INFORMATION
"All things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; yea for food and raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." 1
Present Health Conditions. The preservation of human health has not been forgotten by the scientific explorers of the present day. Now as never before the conditions that determine health and disease are understood. The length of human life has been extended, and information is available for maintaining health while life lasts.
Nevertheless, while science has conquered many a dread disease, the death rates from others are rising. Before them, at present, humanity stands powerless. Infectious diseases are diminishing; chronic or degenerative diseases are increasing. The death rate in infancy is decreasing, but the death rate in later life is increasing. Cancer, heart disease, stomach ulcers, and diabetes are increasing in civilized countries at an alarming rate. The rich and educated are as susceptible as those whose finances demand a low output for food.
AVERAGE DEATH RATES FROM FIVE CAUSES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PER 100,000 OF POPULATION--1900-1934 [fn. 2]
1900-04 1910-14 1920-24 1930-34 Typhoid 26.7 14 4.2 1.7 Tuberculosis 162.2 127.5 80.5 53.6 Cancer 67.5 86.2 103.6 118.5 Diabetes Mellitus 12.2 18.2 21.4 25.5 Diseases of the Heart 47.4 82.9 207.5 244.5
The preceding table confirms these statements. In the United States of America, from 1900 to 1934, the deaths from typhoid and tuberculosis have been steadily decreasing, while deaths from cancer, diabetes and heart diseases have been as steadily increasing. This is one of the most serious problems confronting the civilized world.
Poor Nutrition as a Cause. This condition is the effect of many causes. One of the most potent is the failure to observe the recent findings of science in the field of nutrition; for as we eat so is the composition of the blood stream, the nature-provided healing agent of the body. The world could with much profit consider its dietary habits and mistakes.
While the science of foods in its relation to health and disease may be said to be in its infancy, yet, in laboratories over the world, it is advancing, and enough truth has been discovered to make everyone conscious of the relation which exists between daily food and the health enjoyed or the ill health that follows broken laws.
Some of the most prominent workers in this field hold that the American diet as a whole, as well as that of most civilized nations today, is not as wholesome as it was two generations ago. Too much of the modern food supply comes from tin cans or packages, for often women as well as men work in factories and offices, and the can opener is coming to be the most used kitchen implement. Certain classes of our so-called civilized people, who in this "machine age" are industrially rather than agriculturally minded, have come to subsist in large measure upon a diet of soft, highly refined and concentrated foods, a diet which is often predominantly acid-forming, lacking in fiber or residue and poor in mineral salts and vitamins. A typical modern diet of meat, white bread, refined cereals, potatoes and sweets, crowding milk, fruits and vegetables to a minimum, is especially likely to be deficient in calcium (and other minerals), roughage and vitamins. The results are unquestionably bad.
Constipation has become a "national complaint", while colitis, appendicitis, poor bone development and tooth decay and the more serious diseases already mentioned are increasing. Underweight (or overweight), nervous irritability, poor digestion, general weakness and lowered vitality are regarded to be other signs of malnourished tissues which are becoming more frequent due to unbalanced food and other imperfect health habits.
The question is not wholly one of length of life, but one as well of good health while life endures. Undoubtedly, the ill effects to be expected from wrong dietetic habits reduce the joy of living and drive many to the use of artificial, injurious stimulants.
"A report on diets in the Proceedings of the Mayo Clinic (Barborka) of August, 1931, states that 'the American diet contains a large proportion of concentrated foods low in vitamins, residue and alkaline minerals, and high in carbohydrates and acid minerals. Such a diet lacking certain protective foods, a term applied to milk, eggs and fresh leafy vegetables, conduces to an early advent of degenerative diseases. Not only is this true, but diet each day bears evidence of its immediate influence on the emotions and nature of individuals.'" 3
On the other hand there is some improvement, for the use of more milk, vegetables and fruits is now being encouraged. An increased consumption of citrus fruits is being made possible by improved transportation facilities. Yet there remains too much underweight and illness among children, with overweight, frequent colds and other illnesses among adults. The campaign for good health must not be relaxed.
There is a growing concensus of belief among professional as well as lay members of society that faulty nutrition is a contributing factor in many of the diseases that plague civilization. It has come to be believed that degenerative diseases do not attack healthy tissues. That is, predisposing conditions precede disease. The problem of health then becomes a matter of prevention by keeping the bloodstream, the natural health-provoking agent of the body, of the correct composition. This implies the intake of suitable food as a major factor of health. Reliable observations indicate that the prevention of cancer may possibly be found through a more natural diet, such as is set forth in the Word of Wisdom. Dr. Hindhede, famous nutritionist of Denmark, in a careful study of this subject concludes that:
"The most frequent and dangerous form of cancer, that of the stomach and alimentary canal, may be due to a wrong diet, which irritates the muccus membrane, leads to catarrh and possibly later to cancer . . . the use of vegetables instead of meat, of natural instead of refined food reduces the chances of stomach and intestinal cancer." 4
It is a notable, well-attested observation that primitive peoples are largely freed from the diseases that trouble civilized man most. These matters are being subjected to the scrutiny of science and as new light comes the prejudices and superstitions of the past will be overcome.
Health Among the Latter-day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had since 1833 a health code called the Word of Wisdom, dealing primarily with nutrition. Alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee are to be eschewed, meat is to be eaten sparingly, and grains, fruits and vegetables are to be used liberally. Many members of the Church have obeyed, in part at least, the injunctions of this health code. Even the partial observance of the Word of Wisdom has affected notably and favorably the comparative health status of the Latter-day Saints, as indicated by the following table.
COMPARATIVE DEATH RATES PER 100,000 (1926-1927)
Six Nations Latter-day Saints Tuberculosis 120 9 Cancer 119 47 Diseases of the Nervous System 123 52 Diseases of the Circulatory System (heart) 196 115 Diseases of the Respiratory System (pneumonia) 167 105 Diseases of the Digestive System 73 56 Kidney and Kindred Diseases (Nephritis) 44 23 Maternity (per 1,000 births) 45 10
It is seen at a glance that the health rating of the Latter-day Saints far exceeds that of the nations listed.
Excellent as it is, it is none too good considering the possibilities of good health offered by the Word of Wisdom. Moreover it must be observed that Latter-day Saint vital statistics indicate danger signals that should be heeded. Deaths from typhoid and tuberculosis have been reduced greatly since 1914, when full vital records were first made by the Church, but the death rate from diabetes has decreased only slightly, and cancer and heart diseases have definitely increased. These statements are confirmed by the data of the following table:
AVERAGE DEATH RATE FROM FIVE CAUSES AMONG THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS, PER 100,000 OF POPULATION—1914-1934 [fn. 5]
1914-16 1924-26 1932-34
Typhoid 13.4 6.4 2.2
Tuberculosis 11.6 9.1 7.0
Cancer 31.3 40.9 49.8
Diabetes Mellitus 11.6 9.2 8.2
Diseases of the Heart 82.4 80.6 113.3
Why Not Better Latter-day Saint Health? The environment of the majority of the Latter-day Saints is favorable. Many live in mountain valleys where the climate is invigorating, the water pure, and in the larger centers the care of conscientious medical men and Boards of Health is available. In addition they possess a religion or life philosophy which not only answers the deep questions of life and keeps them spiritually active, but which also tends to make them socially equal and economically secure—all of which make for contentment in life and peace with men and God. Such a condition of mind is always conducive to physical health and well-being. It may be asked, however, why, under such a healthful environment, the percentage of deaths from the diseases enumerated should be even as high as shown in the above table. The answer is obvious: It is evident that the people of the Church are not observing fully all the factors of health as given in the Word of Wisdom, else they would have an even greater immunity from all diseases.
Since the diseases which take most lives among the Latter-day Saints have distinct nutritional relationships, it is safe to conclude that the dietary life habits of the people are at least partly at fault. One can not say that to refrain from smoking and from drinking tea, coffee or alcohol is to keep fully the Word of Wisdom. That is a big step toward maintaining health but it is not full obedience to the law. The many "do's" in the inspired document are as important as the "don't's". Unquestionably, the Word of Wisdom is not lived completely or the people would receive a greater fullness of the promised reward—a long life of physical health, while the destroying angel of sickness and death would pass by and not slay them.
Cumulative Effects. It must not be overlooked that the mistakes of living have a cumulative effect. Daily errors may not be noticed at the time they are committed but they finally break down the resistance of the body and allow disease to take possession. The errors of youth must often be paid for in later years. Therefore, those who have disobeyed the laws of health in childhood and youth, whether ignorantly or wilfully, must seek with redoubled care, to preserve their health during maturity. Likewise, to make most certain of a joyous life, obedience to the laws of health must begin in the earliest years and continue throughout life. Men may break the laws of health for years yet seem to feel no ill effects, but sooner or later the penalty must be paid by them and too often by their progeny. Nature has no favorites.
It is understood that human appetites are tyrants and difficult to vanquish. That to which the taste is accustomed creates an imperative desire. Therefore, many fail to observe any substantial portion of the Word of Wisdom, and others observe it only in part. There can be no progress except as the will is directed towards obedience to law. The results already attained, as shown in the preceding table, and in chapter 18, indicate that greater health may be secured by observing this divine law.
Economics of Health. The economic side of this problem must also be kept in view. Men in indifferent health cannot work as efficiently as those who are in full possession of their powers. The equivalent of billions of dollars is lost annually because men and women are not able to work or to do their work well. When the loss to the country from every premature death is added, the total is increased greatly. Aside from such losses, the actual cost of caring for the sick is enormous. The Committee on the Costs of Medical Care in 1932 reports that the United States spent in that year $3,600,000,000 for medical and dental care, more than was spent for recreation or education. 6
To these losses must be added the actual waste of money, running into billions of dollars, when things injurious to the body such as alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea are bought. Add together the monetary equivalent of the loss of man power due to ill health and premature death, the cost of caring for the sick, and the money wasted for substances not only useless but injurious to the body, and a staggering total is reached. The national debt could be wiped off quickly if the laws of health were fully understood and obeyed. This economic phase of the Word of Wisdom has been repeatedly stated by President Grant in public and private addresses. For example:
"I believe that if every dollar of money that is expended in Utah for liquor and for beer, tea, coffee and tobacco, were saved, Utah would need no help from the United States government to take care of the poor, but that peace, prosperity, happiness and abundance would be given to the people of our fair state, and of every other state in the Union. If in addition we observed the suggestion by the Lord, which is a very wise one, that once a month we refrain from eating two meals, which would be physically beneficial to every living soul, and give the equivalent to help those who are poor it would go far towards solving our financial problems." 7
A close and careful study of the Word of Wisdom in the light of the modern knowledge of nutrition—really the study of health maintenance and resistance to disease—is of prime importance, and should engage the thoughtful attention of all people, especially of those responsible in the home for the food supply. Knowledge and the use of knowledge give health and power.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Dublin and Lotka, Length of Life, 1936.
Fisher, I., and Fisk, E. L., How to Live, 1931.
Lane, Sir W. A., The Prevention of Diseases Peculiar to Civilization, 1929.
Lane, Sir W. A., Blazing the Health Trail, 1929.
Lane, Sir W. A., Secrets of Good Health, 1928.
League of Nations, International Health Year Book, 1928.
Nethersole, O., The Importance of Diet in Relation to Health, 1926.
U. S. Health Service Publications.
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Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 59:18, 19.
2. Based upon the reports of the Bureau of the Census, for the registration states of 1900.
3. Ullmann, E. V., Diet in Sinus Infections and Colds, 1934, p. 15.
4. Hindhede M., Kraeft og Diaet, II, 1936, p. 35.
5. Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, United States, from International Health Year Book, League of Nations, 1929.
6. Gathered by the Presiding Bishopric of the Church.
7. Compiled from records in the office of the Presiding Bishopric.
8. Fortune, October, 1936, p. 221.
9. General Conference Report, October, 1935, p. 9.
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Chapter 3
"THE ORDER AND WILL OF GOD"
"A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—to be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints." 1
Historical. The revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was received by the Prophet Joseph Smith on February 27, 1833, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was not quite three years old. The young Prophet had received revelations from time to time, as occasion demanded, for the building and guidance of the Church that he had been commissioned to restore.
According to the custom of the day, a number of the early converts to the Church were users of tobacco. In fact, several who had been called into the higher councils of the Church had the tobacco habit. Some were accustomed also to the use of alcoholic beverages, chiefly such as were brewed by the people of the "pioneer fringe". There was little or no drunkenness. Coffee and tea were favorite family drinks when they could be secured. In the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee the early Church members were much like their pioneer neighbors, perhaps more temperate.
These habits did not seem to the Prophet to comport with the sacred nature of the work entrusted to and accepted by the Church. Especially did it seem out of keeping with the spirit of the occasion to have the odor of tobacco in the council rooms of the Priesthood. This was aggravated when, as occasionally happened, a tobacco chewer brought his "cud" into the council chamber. That explains the reference to the "council of high priests" in verse one of the revelation. It was the use of tobacco by this body of Priesthood that brought the matter to a head.
The practice of the Prophet was to lay before the Lord all questions that arose, and await answers. Such an appeal was made with respect to tobacco, and in due time the revelation called the Word of Wisdom was received. The inquiry may have been confined to tobacco; the response covered the whole field of food and drink. It was often so. A simple question was the beginning of a vast unfolding of truth.
While the inquiry was occasioned by experiences among the "council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland" and the answer directed in part to them, the revelation was also for "the church and the saints in Zion" and "all saints, who are or can be called saints," that is, for the Church everywhere. It was so interpreted by Joseph Smith and has been so taught by his successors.
A Law of the Church. The words, "to be sent greeting, not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God", have led to much discussion, chiefly by those who do not conform in their habits to the principles laid down in the Word of Wisdom.
Mankind is never compelled or "constrained" to accept or obey the words that come from the Lord. Man's free agency should ever be respected. That is the fundamental principle of human action; it is stated or implied in every divine communication. In the Word of Wisdom it is but stated more boldly. Even when the Lord says, "I command", it is a statement of cause and effect. Unless obedience is yielded, certain rewards are forfeited.
Moreover, this forthright statement was a protection to Joseph Smith. The Word of Wisdom enters into personal daily habits, always difficult to change. The Lord was supposed in those days, as frequently in our day, to confine Himself to spiritual matters. It might have been thought by those weak in the faith that Joseph's personal predilections lay at the bottom of the new order, and that he was using his high office in the Church to interfere (command and constrain) with matters that were beyond his jurisdiction. As far as he was concerned, it was "to be sent greeting", as are all the commandments of the Lord.
The words that follow clear up the question fully. It was given "by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and the will of God." It came by "revelation" and not because of the likes or dislikes of the Prophet. Whatever is "the will of God", men are required to do, if they wish full salvation. The Word of Wisdom is the will of God, hence binding upon all who desire to show full obedience to the principles of the plan of the Lord for human welfare. God's human children may accept or reject the truths of the Word of Wisdom—it is their privilege—but they lose by disobedience the blessings promised the obedient.
Whether the Word of Wisdom is a law of the Church or merely a kindly suggestion was discussed soon after the revelation was received. The history of the Church shows clearly that it has been regarded as a law by all of the sustained leaders of the Church. In the early days of the church, men were suspended from office because they were breakers of the Word of Wisdom; others were excommunicated because of continued disregard of the Lord's law of health. 2 At a High Council meeting held on February 20, 1834, under the presidency of Joseph Smith, Orson Hyde and Oliver Cowdery being clerks, it was decided that "No official member is worthy to hold an office after having the Word of Wisdom properly taught him and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with or obey." 3 On April 8, 1838, President Joseph Smith, Jr. spoke on the Word of Wisdom, giving the reason for its coming forth, saying it should be observed. 4 At a general meeting of the Church, called by the First Presidency, held at Far West on May 28th, 1837, at which were present representatives of the Apostles, Seventies, and Presiding Bishopric, was enacted a resolution which reads:
"Resolved unanimously that we will not fellowship any ordained member who will not, or does not, observe the Word of Wisdom according to its literal reading." 5
President Brigham Young said,
"I know that some say it [the Word of Wisdom] is not given by way of commandment. Very well, but we are commanded to observe every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. . . . I now again request the authorities of this church . . . to sever from this society those who will not cease getting drunk." 6
At the October, 1937, General Conference, President Heber J. Grant spoke as follows:
"We expect all the General Officers of the Church, each and every one of them, from this very day, to be absolute, full-tithepayers, to really and truly observe the Word of Wisdom; and we ask all of the officers of the Church and all members of the General Boards, and all Stake and Ward officers, if they are not living the Gospel and honestly and conscientiously paying their tithing, to kindly step aside, unless from this day they live up to these provisions.
"No Latter-day Saint is entitled to anything that is contrary to the mind and will of the Lord, and the Word of Wisdom is the mind and the will of the Lord." 7
A Principle with a Promise. In common with all other laws of the Lord, obedience to the Word of Wisdom brings certain rewards. It is for the "benefit" of the people.
Special reference is made in verse two to the value of this law in the "temporal salvation of all saints in the last days". Clearly, a healthy body permits a person to perform his "temporal" labors more effectively. Moreover, in these days of keen competition, the man who complies with the Word of Wisdom, and thereby wins greater physical stamina, and saves the money others expend for alcohol, tobacco, and habit-forming drinks, has a decided "temporal" advantage. (see chapters 2 and 18)
President Heber J. Grant said in the General Conference of the Church in October, 1933:
"Do you want to know how to obtain temporal salvation? Not only the Latter-day Saints, but all the world would have the solution of that problem if there were no tea, coffee, liquor nor tobacco used in the world. Peace, prosperity and happiness would come to the entire world." 8
Adapted to the Capacity of the Weak. Conformity to the Word of Wisdom brings quick results in improved health of body and in increased spiritual power. It should not therefore be difficult to obey.
Bad habits are persistent enemies. Those of the body clamor for attention; yet once overcome they remain silent. Conquest of self may always be accomplished if the will is born of strong enough desire. The training of the will is the beginning of personal power; and such training is always initiated by sincere, continuous desire.
Obedience to the positive aspects of the Word of Wisdom have the effect of increasing bodily health, thereby reducing the taste for the things warned against in the negative division. Thus there lies within the Word of Wisdom itself the means of full obedience to it. It may be that in some such sense the Word of Wisdom is adapted "to the capacity of the weak and the weakest".
However, there is a larger view. The successful life is ever training its will in obedience to principles of truth. These principles are of a temporal and a spiritual nature. In the last analysis spiritual laws are more difficult to obey than temporal ones, but the blessings enjoyed are increasingly greater. In that sense the Word of Wisdom is adapted to the capacity of the weakest of all saints, "who can be called saints". A person who cannot obey a temporal law, such as the Word of Wisdom, seldom can obey spiritual laws, which reach more profoundly into the nature of man. That is, those who are living the high spiritual laws of the Gospel, true saints, must have achieved sufficient desire and power of will to obey the temporal commandment known as the Word of Wisdom. Unless they have done so, the spiritual integrity of such persons may be called into question.
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Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:1-3.
2. History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 482.
3. History of the Church, Vol. II, pp. 34-35.
4. Far West Record, p. 111.
5. Discourses, pp. 283-284.
6. Improvement Era, Vol. 40, p. 665.
7. Conference Report, October, 1933, p. 9.
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Chapter 4
"EVILS AND DESIGNS"
"In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—" 1
A Word of Warning. The special reason for giving the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom is set forth in the above quotation. Due to evil-minded persons, mankind may be led away from the natural mode of living which insures good health and happiness. That is, innocent persons may often be misled by those of evil designs to do things injurious to health. The Word of Wisdom is therefore a warning as well as a guide. This is of especial importance in our day.
The Progress of Fraud. Fraud and deceit have been practiced since the beginning of history. The ancient Egyptians bought expensive hair restorers made chiefly of date refuse; and we of this day pay a ten-fold price for flavored chalk labeled fancifully as a magic tooth powder. Brass has been called gold; glass has been sold as diamonds; and poison has been hawked as excellent food. The story of fraud throughout the ages forms an ugly chapter of human history.
Those who practice fraud are evil-minded, a menace to society, whose subtle designs are against the welfare of their fellowmen. Without hesitation they deliberately and knowingly sacrifice others to secure their own purposes. They are impelled by insatiable, merciless selfishness and greed. Avarice is their god. They gloat over their profits as their dupes lose money, health and often life. They frequently "conspire" together to accomplish their "designs". They are many times more dangerous than the open enemy.
In earlier days the methods of fraud were simple, often crude. Knowledge was limited, and the people were not generally enlightened. The appeal was often to ignorance and superstition. In this latest day of advancing science when men are more generally educated, fraud has been compelled to employ more refined methods. Fraud now uses the best knowledge of the day, and clothes its wolfish nature with a lamblike vesture of apparent truth, therefore its dangers have been multiplied in recent years.
Many observing men have recognized this evergrowing evil. As early as 1879, a bill was introduced in the United States Congress to protect the public against food and drug adulteration, but it was defeated through the efforts of the powerful combinations of men whose financial interests were involved. Repeatedly, the bill was introduced and rejected. Not until 1906 did it become law, and legal weapons secured to control partially the monstrous evil of fraud. Since that time fraud has been concerned, often successfully, in circumventing the law. Attempts to secure legislation to improve and strengthen the law have so far failed. So-called "pressure groups" are well organized and ever alert to protect those whose finances are involved, while the consumers are unorganized and unprotected. 2 Pure food and drug laws have been passed within the last generation by most civilized countries; but the difficulties encountered there are much like those of the United States. Fraud continues to prosper exceedingly.
At times, informed groups of private citizens have taken up arms against fraudulent offerings and advertising. Such helps to the efforts of the Government and the resulting publicity have checked temporarily this or that violation of the law, but another crop of frauds under other disguises has soon followed and flourished until the organization of another reform campaign.
The warning against fraud, particularly with reference to the materials mentioned in the Word of Wisdom, is greatly needed today, when wicked men have at their command the resources of science and the glare of modern advertising with which to connive against the welfare of man.
Adulterations. With the advent of new knowledge, the means of adulteration have been multiplied, and a great variety of dishonest commodities, many injurious, now appear on the market.
Formerly, simple forms of adulteration were common. White, inert matter, gypsum perhaps, was added to flour, or potatoes were soaked in water, to increase weight, or water was added to milk to increase the volume. Today, such easily detected attempts at deceit are seldom made. More subtle adulterations, much more difficult to trace, are now employed. An elusive chemical adulterates Jamaica ginger; olive oil is blended with a cheaper oil and offered as pure olive oil; a gelatin consists largely of glue; glucose is mixed with a trifle of honey and sold as pure honey; "maple syrup" is often chiefly a solution of cane or beet sugar artificially colored and flavored; and a strawberry jam may contain an insignificant amount of strawberries.
Another phase of modern food adulteration is the attempt to make an inferior article so attractive in looks that it may be sold at a first-class price. For example, old meat is made to acquire a fresh red color by the use of sodium sulphite, a substance injurious to man; tomato paste made chiefly of materials other than tomatoes is colored and flavored to resemble the real article; canned goods with brilliant labels bear no relationship in price to quality.
A menace to health is the use of preservatives to prevent the decomposition of perishable substances, meats or vegetables. Formaldehyde, salicylic acid and boric acid, injurious to the body, formerly in common use, are now, under legal pressure, seldom used as preservatives; but benzoate of soda and sulphur dioxide gas, banned in some countries, are still employed in America. While the quantity used may be small, yet no doubt it endangers human health; for as one author has aptly said, "Whatever will kill bacterial protoplasm will kill human protoplasm".
A distorted public taste frequently leads to food treatments of possible danger to the consumer. In answer to utterly foolish demands by the public, the naturally slightly yellow wheat flour is bleached snow white by chlorine, nitrogen trioxide or other distinctly harmful agents; dried fruits, naturally discolored by sun and air in the process of drying, are bleached with sulphur dioxide gas; ketchup and a variety of other condiments and soda water drinks are usually colored with coal-tar dyes, many of which are causes of disease. 3 Little of the bleaching or coloring agent may remain in the food or drink, but that which does remain injures health, especially in cases where the effects are cumulative.
It is moral depravity that makes it possible for a manufacturer to place the meats of diseased animals on the market, or to can putrifying materials for public consumption. Yet this is often done, and the unsuspecting purchaser wastes his money and invites disease.
A dangerous variation of food adulteration is the production of candies, gum, crackers and bread mixed with drugs or bacteria, supposed to relieve some disorder of the human body.
An unpremeditated food adulteration is the small deposit of arsenic and lead salts on apples and other fruits that have been sprayed with these substances for the control of orchard pests. Legal regulation has compelled safer and more moderate types of spraying, especially in Europe and some states in America. Meanwhile, all consumers should make it a practice to wash thoroughly all fruit before it is eaten.
It is of course elementary dishonesty more injurious to the purse than to health that leads to selling milk of the same character at different prices by labeling one "Grade A" and the other "Grade B"; or canning or drying inferior meat, fish, eggs or vegetables and selling them as first class articles.
The public should also be informed concerning cosmetics and toilet articles used so extensively by women. Many of these contain dangerous, often poisonous substances, which have led to pitiful injury, even death.
Human suffering beyond computation has followed the various forms of food adulteration above mentioned, and there are hundreds of others. The whole story, written by man's love of gold, is revolting to the last degree.
A mass of recent literature sets forth the present status and menace to man of food adulteration.
Agencies exist to inform the public on these important matters. Foremost among them are the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and the American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois. A letter of inquiry to these agencies regarding any product will bring an honest reply. Support should be given to state and local boards of health which to some degree protect the consumer against frauds in foods. The Consumers' Research Corporation in Washington, D. C., is also giving good help in the battle against dishonest methods.
The best protection against food fraud is to use natural foods and food products, even though the cost may seem higher.
False Advertising. Governmental supervision is making it more difficult to practice food adulteration. The attention of producers has been directed therefore to methods by which increased sales may be won for their products. Driven by competition, greed and avarice, men have resorted to fraudulent advertising almost as foul as direct adulteration.
By law the label on a bottle, can, or package must show the presence, if any, of an adulterant or injurious substance. To circumvent this requirement and to deceive the public, the notation of the adulterant is often printed in very small letters, sometimes difficult to decipher with normal eyes, while the wholesome ingredients are printed in type so large as to shout from the shelf to the customer. Many an unwary person is led by this device to the use of unwholesome or adulterated foods or drinks.
A more prevalent method of false advertising is to print the truth on the label as required by law, and then on a wrapper to distort the truth by printing all the imaginary properties and virtues of the article in question. The same distorted truths may be told over the radio, for there is no present law to control satisfactorily this means of advertising.
Another method is to print on the package or loaf—of a wheat product for example—that the whole wheat kernel is used, that neither the bran nor the germ (containing the minerals and vitamins) have been removed; but it does not state that in the process of preparation the vitamins have been destroyed. While a part of the truth is told, the deceived purchaser thinks that he is buying a vitamin-rich product.
A contemptible deception is to place false bottoms in containers, making the quantity contained look larger than it really is; or to fill the container so loosely as to have the same effect. Bottles are frequently made with sunken bottoms and sides, thus made to look larger than they really are.
Deceiving titles of probably wholesome food products are commonly employed. A can containing cheap fish is labeled "white meat fish"; a bottle labeled "salad bouquet" contains a cheap kind of vinegar; a peanut spread is a mixture of peanut butter and starch; chicken and noodles are chiefly noodles and water. Such misleading names are used, apparently, in the hope that the purchaser may think the fish to be an expensive variety, the salad bouquet to be cider vinegar, the peanut spread to be true peanut butter, and the can of chicken and noodles to be filled with chicken. A long list of such articles is on the market. This type of fraud, while perhaps not injurious to health, does improperly divert money from the consumer to the producer.
Misinformation concerning food products becomes most dangerous when concerned with the effects upon the body. Producers point out, irrespective of the facts in the case, the virtues of their product in healing disease or maintaining health. Desire for such a perfect product is engendered in the reader. The product becomes popular. The commonest of articles are thus "boosted" by misleading statements. Bread may be advertised to make a person fat or thin; honey to contain elements that practically insure against old age; canned foods to be superior to fresh meats and vegetables; radio-active waters to bring youth back to age; grape juice to supply every element missing in the blood; a weak chocolate, under a fancy name, to banish sleeplessness; alcohol to give joy to life; tobacco to promote digestion and to soothe nerves when great work is to be done; coffee and tea to be less harmful to the body than clear mountain water; an inferior quality to be in reality a superior one. Such deliberately dishonest statements, distorting scientific facts, are spread broadcast over the land by printed page and radio until many people come to believe them.
The means used in this improper propaganda are many. The mails are used widely. Most persons receive unsolicited literature recounting the merits of this or that article of food or drink. Billboard advertising is extensive. The radio and the motion picture are being used more and more. Advertising in newspapers and magazines is, however, the most widely used means of spreading false as well as true propaganda. Indeed, the American advertising bill is enormous. A few years ago it exceeded one billion dollars; today it is no doubt larger. To give a few examples: one food firm spent four million dollars annually for advertising in periodicals; one breakfast food manufacturer alone spent one million dollars; three tobacco firms spent during the first six months of 1937 nearly six millions of dollars in magazine and radio advertising. The money spent for education and medical care is small compared with the vast sum spent for advertising unnecessary or harmful commodities on the modern market. In the end the consumers pay these huge bills.
The statements made in many of these advertisements are misleading or fraudulent, but are within the law. Nevertheless, a manufacturer who stoops to mislead the public cannot expect to be classed with honest men.
Any intelligent person who will sit down for a few hours to study the current advertisements of foods and beverages will discover the fraud that runs through many of them. Only honest advertisers should be patronized. Pressure from advertisers frequently masks the true feelings of periodicals towards fraud.
Making Use of Fads. The rapid increase and dissemination of knowledge have necessarily led to wide public interest in the application of man's new knowledge to human needs. Nutrition and matters of health have not escaped. The recent accession of facts concerning nutrition has sharpened interest in the relation between food and health, especially in view of the recognition of the fact that the science of nutrition is far from being complete.
Food fads and fancies have therefore multiplied. Some of these rest upon sound knowledge; many of them are worthless and dangerous. Systems proposed for preserving health and lengthening out life are innumerable. Here are some of them: use no meat; eat no vegetables; eat only fruit; pay attention only to vitamins; minerals are the only concern; eat very little, fast a great deal; drink nothing but grape juice; eat salads to reduce, eat salads to grow fat; etc., etc. Dried vegetables are mixed and sold as "mineral broth" at an exorbitant price, while ordinary senna leaves are mixed with other dried leaves, given a fanciful name, and sold as a famous natural laxative. Those engaged in fraud have taken advantage of such situations, and have undertaken advertising propaganda of some food fad for the purpose of popularizing their own products.
This kind of fraud has been and is very harmful, physiologically and economically, to the public at large.
Refined Foods. Modern knowledge has given man the power to refine his foods, until some of them may become very much changed from the natural conditions in which they are found. The common use of such refined, and in most cases concentrated foods, has at times, for want of adequate knowledge, led to injurious results. Occasionally, also, unscrupulous advertising, unmindful of the facts in the case, has increased the possible danger from the unwise use of refined, concentrated food products. (see chapters 12 and 13)
Since these foods are often advertised inaccurately, the subject comes properly under the warning given by the Word of Wisdom as quoted at the head of this chapter. The power of modern man to refine his foods is not an unmixed blessing. Public education and honest advertising are necessary here as elsewhere.
"Conspiring Men with Evils and Designs". All persons should inform themselves about the practice of fraud in their country. Before purchasing, one should be sure of the value of the article. Those known to be falsely labeled, or misrepresented by advertising, should be shunned as a matter of public service.
The American nation is fast becoming a people who eat out of packages and cans and drink out of bottles, thus furnishing the opportunity for unscrupulous persons to practice fraud upon their fellowmen.
The principles of the Word of Wisdom point securely to the safe and sane way to health through proper nutrition and the use of natural food products, without becoming subject to the attacks of frauds.
In view of the food frauds perpetrated upon the public, compelling legal action and continual supervision, the warning in the Word of Wisdom concerning evil and designing men who will conspire to harm their fellow men, is fully justified. Indeed, it is a prophetic utterance.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
American Medical Association Publications.
Fishbein, M., Fads and Quackery in Healing, 1932.
Harding, T. S., The Popular Practice of Fraud, 1935.
Jordan, E. O., Food Poisoning, 1931.
Kallet, A., Counterfeit, 1935.
Phillips, M. C., Skin Deep, 1934.
Schlinck, F. J., Eat, Drink and Be Wary, 1935.
Schlinck, F. J., and Chase, S., Your Money's Worth, 1927.
Schlinck, F. J., and Kallet, A., 100,000,000 Guinea Pigs, 1933.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bulletins of the Bureau of Chemistry.
U. S. Senate, Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, Hearings on S. 1944, 1934.
U. S. Senate, Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 73rd Congress, Report 493, 1934. ___________________________________
Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:4.
2. Herring, E. P., Public Administration and the Public Interest, chapter 14.
3. Life, March 13, 1937, p. 13. ___________________________________
Chapter 5
ALCOHOL
"That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, . . . and, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies." 1
Historical. Alcoholic drinks (those containing the substance ethyl alcohol. CH3CH2OH, commonly known as alcohol) have been used from time immemorial. In every land, wine and other forms of fermented liquors have been well known beverages. The warning of the Word of Wisdom is directed against one of the oldest human practices.
The recognition of the injurious effects of alcoholic drinks was not new in Joseph Smith's day. In almost every country, coincidentally with the record of the existence of alcohol, opposition to its use has been voiced. The Bible, from Noah to the later prophets, contains numerous references to the evil of drunkenness: "Do not drink wine nor strong drink." (Lev. 10:9); "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1); "Wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps." (Deut. 32:33); "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess." (Eph. 5:18).
Little progress had been made, at the time that the Word of Wisdom was given, in the scientific study of alcohol and its effects on man. However, through long and world-wide human experience many of the evil effects of wine and strong drinks were better understood than before. There was no difference of opinion among intelligent people concerning the excessive use of alcoholic drinks, with the attendant drunkenness, disease and squalor. Perhaps a majority were ready to admit that serious danger lurked even in the moderate use of alcohol. It was only to be expected therefore that the Word of Wisdom, a modern code of health, should speak out against this ancient and widespread evil.
The movements against alcohol, from antiquity to recent days, have fought valiantly for the suppression of this ancient and dangerous dietetic habit of man. Curiously enough, the modern organized effort to stamp out the liquor evil, under the advocacy of total abstinence, began about the time that the Word of Wisdom was received. This agitation culminated on September 1, 1832, in Preston, England, when total abstinence pledges were signed by seven persons. 2 It was in the Preston Society also that the word "teetotalism" was coined. There is slight probability that the Prophet Joseph Smith knew anything of this activity.
At various times, legislation has attempted to regulate or eliminate the traffic in alcoholic liquors. While the results have not been all that was desired, yet much good has been accomplished. Manufacturers, who by improper means have encouraged the use of alcohol, have been forced by law into less activity, and there has been a general enlightenment concerning alcohol and its physiological, moral, and economic effects. A most notable episode in the history of alcohol was the prohibition experiment of the United States, which unfortunately was not allowed to go on long enough to secure reliable results.
The unqualified statement against alcohol in the Word of Wisdom was courageous, as it was spoken in the name of the Lord in a day of advancing and progressive science. Does the latest knowledge and most modern thought concerning the effects of alcohol on the human body confirm this phase of the Word of Wisdom?
The bitter controversy which has raged around the liquor question has had the good result of inspiring many careful research workers to study the effects of alcohol on the human body and mind. There is now a vast literature on the subject which has been compiled, collated and reduced to a reasonable compass for everybody's use. All such works must be read, however, with due reference to the likes and dislikes of the authors, for wherever differences are slight, conclusions are likely to favor the appetites of the writers. Yet, out of the labors of such trained investigators much has been learned upon which all now agree.
Consumption of Alcohol. It is very difficult, almost impossible, to secure full and correct facts regarding the consumption of alcohol. According to the annual report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the United States in 1936, consumed 286,316,731 gallons of distilled and rectified spirits and wine; 179,152,628 gallons of still and sparkling wines, and 1,657,985,984 gallons of beer, or a total of over two billions of gallons of alcoholic liquors. That meant per capita in 1936, 11.8 gallons of beer, .6 gallon of distilled liquors, and .3 gallon of wine were consumed, and the consumption is steadily rising. The approximate retail value of this quantity of intoxicating liquor approaches five billions of dollars. Clearly, the money now spent on alcoholic beverages would in a few years wipe out the national debt, and go far towards removing poverty from the land. The world's liquor bill shows how men and women by catering to unnatural appetites may bring disaster upon themselves and their loved ones. It is rather foolish to set up systems of political philosophy for the cure of economic and other ills, without including the correction of injurious habits such as those of alcohol, tobacco and the like.
Is Alcohol a Food? The advocates of drink claim as a favorite argument that alcohol is a food.
A food is a substance, that when taken into the body, builds, repairs and nourishes the tissues and cells of the body; provides heat and supplies energy for the processes of life. By this definition alcohol is not a food. It contains no nitrogen with which to rebuild or repair cell waste; no sugar, starch, mineral matters, fats or vitamins, all essential in maintaining the body in good health. It is true that alcohol taken in small quantities is removed from the body largely by combustion and that it does in that way supply some heat, but since it fails utterly to meet the other requirements of a food, and may even cause excessive loss of protein, and besides interferes as a narcotic with all normal functions of life, it cannot be classed as a food. 3 Authoritative science is conclusive on that point. Besides, alcohol acts as an irritant to the organs of the body, predisposing them to disease, and it develops a vicious, compelling habit—things not done by a food.
Beer, which has been widely advertised as a liquid food, also fails to meet food requirements. Compared with a glass of milk, as is often done, beer shows its deficiencies.
"Milk contains a valuable nutritive fat (cream), beer none. Milk contains a large amount of useful and nutritive sugar; beer contains only a small amount of sugar, the rest of the carbohydrate being useless for purposes of nutrition. Beer contains about one-fourteenth of the protein found in milk, and even much of this is, to say the least, of very doubtful nutritive value. Milk, unless it has been contaminated through neglect and carelessness, contains no poison; beer contains a powerful poison, alcohol. Then again, milk contains valuable vitamins; beer contains none, or practically so." 4
The best that can be said about beer, as about certain weak wines, is that the percentage of alcohol in it is smaller (from 2.5% to 6.5%) than in the so-called strong drinks; but the continual use of even small doses of alcohol has been shown to produce harmful results.
Neither wine (often containing 12% of alcohol), beer (about 3.5% of alcohol), nor a distilled liquor (more than 50% of alcohol) has true food value. To claim that alcohol in any form is a food betrays, in this enlightened day, gross ignorance or a purpose to deceive.
All these statements have been confirmed by many careful experiments. Alcohol is not a food; it is a poison, a powerful drug which exerts a marked effect upon many of the organs of the body. The desire for alcoholic drink is not a result of a normal need, but of an acquired appetite. By frequent use this appetite too often becomes the master of the will.
Temperate Use of Alcohol. Is there such a thing? No one argues for drunkenness. Its ugly brood are too evident. The question among intelligent people has always been as to the effect of the moderate indulgence in alcoholic beverages. This matter has been put to frequent experimental test, with results definitely against the use of alcohol in even small amounts. Since human beings react to small doses of alcohol, the effect upon the body and mind is merely one of degree. This has been shown to be so by numerous experiments. It has been wisely said that "a man under the influence of even small doses of alcoholic liquor becomes an altered individual—always altered for the worse."
Alcohol and the Mental Faculties. Alcohol acts as a narcotic upon the brain. That is, it depresses or benumbs mental activities. The drinker seems to gain a feeling of well-being while under the influence of alcohol, even in small amounts. He feels himself freed from the anxieties and bonds placed upon him by the obligations of life. He rises in self-importance; his moral vision is blurred. If alcohol is used intemperately he moves into forgetfulness; all his mental faculties are impaired—he is "drunk". When he recovers he craves the experience again; the habit grows upon him, and before he is aware, it is his master. Only with the greatest effort can the habit be overcome—and only too often it is never overcome.
The higher brain centers, the voluntary and most intelligent, are paralyzed by alcohol, leaving the lower centers uncontrolled, which, no longer restrained, often run riot. The ship has lost its captain. That is the most familiar fact in connection with the use of alcohol. This loss of control has been shown to extend from the moral field into that of involuntary body movements, even under the influence of from two to three glasses of the lightest beer on the market.
The impairment of the higher mental faculties, occasioned often by as little as one glass of light beer, is of first concern. The moderate drinker suffers a weakening of his perceptive faculties, such as seeing and recognizing signals; or acting promptly under set regulations. The power of memory is likewise diminished; in one experiment nearly one-fifth of the usual memorizing power was lost under the influence of little more than one glass of beer. The ability to give close, steady attention to any subject in hand, to concentrate upon it, is lowered greatly under the influence of a glass or more of beer. The learning process is slowed up when alcohol is in the system. The average school standing of abstainers, if otherwise alike, is always highest. A diminution of mental alertness and keenness is the price paid for alcoholic indulgence, however slight. Since lapses of memory or consciousness are common, the victims, when they recover, are usually unable to remember what has happened. Clearly, such conditions are not only hurtful to the individual but dangerous to society. Our day needs clear brains.
The words of an eminent psychologist, Dr. Hugo Munsterberg, himself a moderate user of alcoholic beverages, are notable:
"If I were to take a glass of beer now in the morning, I should certainly be unable to write the next page of this essay with the same ease. The ideas would flow more slowly,—of course, alcohol before serious, intellectual work disturbs one—psychologically the case stands thus: Alcohol has indeed an inhibitory influence on mind and body. The feeling of excitement, the greater ease of motor impulse, the feeling of strength and joy, the forgetting of sorrow and pain—all are at bottom the result of inhibitions; impulses are let free because the checking centers are inhibited." 5
But after this cool analysis of the effect of alcohol, he proceeds to argue for its moderate use when the day's work is done! He ignores the natural way to refreshment, renewed vigor and happiness. It shows the effect of an unnatural appetite, habit, even on a trained mind.
No one can rationally argue that constant interference with the higher mental faculties, from the moderate use of alcohol, can benefit the brain and nervous system. The effect is clearly deleterious. The mind naturally weakens under the repeated influences of alcohol and often becomes diseased.
Dr. F. R. Mott, British mental specialist, declares that in his opinion, alcoholic intoxication is insanity in miniature. In fact, drunkenness often leads to insanity. The U. S. Census for 1910 shows that of all admissions to mental hospitals, 10.1% were due to alcohol, and of the males admitted, 15.3%.
Alcohol and Physical Fitness. The disorders of the brain, occasioned by moderate drinking, necessarily affect all bodily activities, for all are under the control and direction of man's mental organization.
One of the commonest observations in connection with drunkenness is the lack of coordination between the brain and the body, resulting in clumsiness. The fumbling of a drunken man with the key and the lock is the most familiar illustration. A drunken man cannot thread a needle. Such lack of muscular control is carried into all the operations of life. Under the influence of alcohol, though only a glass of wine or beer is used, the speed of the typist is diminished and errors increased; and the accuracy of the mechanic and all skilled workmen reduced. The unsteady hand, slow judgment and confused head are effects of alcohol, which more and more disqualify men and women for trustworthy positions and expected promotions.
Fatigue and hardship are endured best by abstainers. The safest automobile drivers are those who do not drink alcohol. The aviator who drinks does the poorest work. During the Great War it was demonstrated that non-drinking pilots could last at the front twice as long as drinkers.
Alcohol is an enemy to success in athletics. Experienced coaches are unanimous on that point. Connie Mack said he "wouldn't bother with a youngster who drinks"! Knute Rockne insisted that his players should abstain from "poisons such as alcohol". Many athletic champions are abstainers. 6
Alcohol and physical fitness do not travel together.
In the case of women, the future mothers of the race, the evils of alcohol are of even graver consequence, for the mother tainted in body by the use of alcohol, of necessity produces a weaker offspring.
Alcohol and Disease. It is unthinkable that the daily ingestion of any poison will not in time affect the human body unfavorably. In fact, studies in this field have shown correlations between alcohol and disease that cannot be ignored. The particular disease developed depends on the individual, for the weakest organ is usually first attacked.
Alcohol disturbs the body mechanism by its direct effect upon the blood stream. Contained in the blood are many mineral constituents such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, chlorine, etc. Calcium has been shown to perform functions of special importance to the body. Alcohol in the blood causes a large diminution of the calcium content and other mineral constituents of the blood. (see chapter 9)
The stomach, which receives all drinks, is definitely affected by alcohol. The digestive process is slowed up in the presence of alcohol. In the course of time, inflammation of the stomach tissues usually ensues and gastritis and other disorders appear. The suggestion has been made that injury to the digestive organs by alcohol may be responsible in part for other disorders attendant upon the continued use of alcohol.
Derangements of the liver have been definitely traced to the effects of alcohol. According to many reports from hospitals in the United States, Canada and Europe, the majority of cases (four-fifths) of cancer of the liver are due to the use of alcoholic beverages.
The following instructive table, based upon the Supplement of the 75th Annual Report of the Registrar General of Great Britain (1927), shows the number out of 10,000 of each class afflicted with syphilis and cirrhosis of the liver. Note how brewers and barmen head the list under cirrhosis of the liver. 7
Occupations Syphilis Cirrhosis Lowest Groups: Ministers 85 531 Anglican Clergy 114 521 Iron Miners 140 313 Bank officials 207 1,521 Railway Officials 214 406 Bus and Tram Conductors 247 0 Highest Groups: Brewers 4,808 8,000 Actors 4,649 4,646 Waiters 2,598 2,354 Cellarmen 2,284 1,537 Bargemen 2,144 646 Barmen 2,137 5,833
The heart and the circulatory systems are also sensitive to alcohol. Under alcoholic effect the heart is compelled to do more work; the chambers of the heart enlarge abnormally, and the circulation of the blood is interfered with; arterial disease may be set up. The kidneys, always sensitive to disturbances of the circulatory system, suffer from the presence of alcohol. Bright's disease is a frequent accompaniment. The lungs and other organs of the body likewise suffer from the effects of the ingestion of alcohol.
It must be added and emphasized that the use of alcohol reduces the resistance of the body to infection and other similar dangers. Statistics show that the mortality of drinkers is much higher than of abstainers; barmen and brewers are the highest among occupational groups. A survey of the existing literature convinces the student that abstainers from the use of alcohol have the longest expectation of life.
Alcohol and Society. The behavior of any drunken person is sufficient to show that alcohol leads a person to forget or ignore the usual standards of conduct. The moral sense is blurred by even a small amount of alcohol. Tipplers are not exempt. This is said with due deference to the host of good people who are users of alcoholic beverages, and whose high characters and accomplishments are maintained in spite of this habit.
Certain types of criminals are nearly always drinkers. The United States Department of Justice estimates that 80% of the factors making jails and similar institutions necessary are due to the use of alcohol; that 75% of the causes leading to cruelty to children result from the use of alcohol. The disordered brain, following the use of alcohol, seldom acts properly. Crimes and misdemeanors result from the use of alcohol. This is not unexpected. When the higher, controlling faculties are benumbed, the lower faculties assume the power of directing the acts of man.
Poverty is another fruit of alcoholism. Much of our pauperism may be traced directly to alcohol; more of our child destitution may be followed to the same source. The liquor habit dulls all human emotions. Degradation, disgrace, misery and death are results of the use of alcohol. Even one drink gives effects that point to the evils of intemperance.
A vast number of automobile and other accidents, shooting scrapes and rioting, are found associated with the use of alcohol. In the interest of public safety in this automobile age only abstainers from alcoholic liquors should be allowed to use the public highways. While many factors enter into automobile accidents, it is strikingly suggestive that during the period 1933-1936, traffic deaths in the United States paralleled the consumption of liquor.
The famous, longstanding, "Rule G" of the railroads forbids the use of "intoxicants or narcotics", by employees. Air pilots, likewise, must refrain from the use of intoxicating beverages for 24 hours preceding a trip and during any time on duty, and they must not frequent liquor-dispensing places.
Sexual immorality usually accompanies alcoholism. The dimming of the moral sense weakens the character of the individual. Soon the defenses that education and religion have built up are broken down. Acts of immorality are committed which at the beginning seemed intolerable. It is noteworthy that in the preceding table syphilis increased in almost every instance with cirrhosis of the liver. The conclusion is inevitable: Alcohol causes moral as well as physical disease. Alcoholism is a menace to society.
Alcohol as a Racial Poison. In yet another way is society deeply interested in this question. Alcohol is a racial poison. The injury from it does not cease with the person who uses it, but harms his children and children's children as well. This difficult but important subject has been under experimental study, the results of which point consistently to the inheritance of certain of the evils of alcoholism.
An authority on this subject asserts that:
"Alcohol taken in excess, or freely and continuously, has the power of breaking through all the defensive barriers and producing the most profound effect upon the sex glands and consequent interference with the sperm or germ cells. In such cases the alcohol causes degeneration of the protoplasm of the germ-plasm, interferes with what is called spermatogenesis (that is to say, the formation of mature sperm cells), and if the germ-plasm is not actually destroyed, its architecture may be so interfered with as to cause imperfect offspring in the next, immediate generation." 8
Thus the very future of the race depends upon the use or avoidance of alcohol.
"Because the continuity and essential well-being of the race depends upon germ-plasm, the sex organs are naturally of profound significance, and although remarkably resistant in many ways, it is an accepted fact today that they can be damaged by certain substances and thus cause injury to the immediate and succeeding generations. In 1906 Dr. C. W. Saleeby termed these substances Racial Poisons. The term has passed into current scientific language, and is applied to those substances which may not only damage the individual but the race as well. The three great racial poisons are lead, venereal diseases, and alcohol." 9
The effects upon the coming generations are altogether too evident to be ignored. Drinking parents have more than the average of mentally and physically defective children; their children also have a high early mortality; in those that survive and are normal there is often a persistence of the weaknesses developed in their parents by intemperance.
The Indictment Against Alcohol. The evidence against alcohol in any form as a beverage is overwhelming. One needs only examine the voluminous literature on the subject to become convinced of the truth of this statement. Let the indictment be summarized.
Alcohol is a poison which injures body and mind, the degree of injury depending upon the amount used. Its use causes poverty, since money that should be spent for food, clothing, shelter and recreation is paid out for this harmful beverage. Alcohol also dulls the moral senses, for a person ever so little under the influence of alcohol, is no longer his natural self, but irresponsible, inexact, careless, often cruel. The unhappy after-effects of alcohol increase the desire for the forgetfulness induced by more alcohol. Thus the habit grows, and becomes the master of the man. In the wake of alcohol are poverty and sorrow, misery and ruin, disease and death.
Almost the worst indictment against alcohol is that those who do not drink are injured through its use by others. The workman spends his week's earnings on drink and leaves his wife and children to starve. The drunkard loses his job and drags his children down to woe of body and soul. In the presence of alcohol as a beverage, the finer instincts of man vanish, the atmosphere becomes tainted, the finer human impulses stifled. There is no denial of these charges and a hundred others.
The consumption of alcohol has been a monstrous evil throughout the ages and the human misery caused thereby is beyond computation. Its use among intelligent people rests upon two counts: Weakness of the will in the face of the tempting but ugly desire for alcohol; and the lustful greed for money by those who make and sell the poison.
The defender of the alcohol habit declares that he is a moderate user of alcohol, therefore the indictment does not fit him. That is but subterfuge, a vain excuse. It is the moderate drinker who often becomes the immoderate user, and it has been amply demonstrated that small doses of alcohol affect the drinker unfavorably, both temporarily and permanently.
The claim is sometimes made by those who should know better that the use of alcohol does not shorten life. The drinker will point to the drinker who has attained a high age. He is the exception and the argument is unsound. Judgment must be formed from the behavior of a group. The use of alcohol is not the only factor that tends to lengthen or shorten life. From statistics compiled by insurance companies and others it is safe to say that abstinence from alcoholic liquors tends to lengthen out the span of life; and what is of almost greater consequence, to increase health and the joy of living. The fact remains that for one drinker there are many abstainers who reach old age. The one drunkard who lives a long life is uncommon and therefore obtains publicity. Insurance companies with financial interests involved hold moderate as well as heavy alcohol users as poorer risks than those who abstain from the beverage. The user of alcohol must therefore pay more for his insurance. Insurance statistics show that the death rate increases steadily with the degree of alcoholic intemperance.
The indictment against alcohol is complete. Specious arguments by those addicted to the habit do not change facts.
An Official Verdict. In no respect can alcohol as a beverage be said to increase physical or mental efficiency. So well is this understood that the practice of using alcohol in hospitals has almost ceased. Other means, more adequate and less harmful, are now employed. The hospital milk bills have gone up and the alcohol bills down.
The American Medical Association has gone on record against the general use of alcohol in medical practice in resolutions formulated and adopted in 1917 by the House of Delegates:
"Whereas, we believe that the use of alcohol is detrimental to the human economy, and
"Whereas, its use in therapeutics as a tonic or stimulant or for food has no scientific value; therefore,
"Be it Resolved, that the American Medical Association is opposed to the use of alcohol as a beverage; and,
"Be it Further Resolved, that the use of alcohol as a therapeutic agent should be further discouraged." 10
On the other hand, alcohol is being used, as suggested in the Word of Wisdom, for external use—for rubbing to reduce fevers, for hardening the skin to prevent bedsores, for sterilizing instruments and skin for hypodermic injections and for many other similar purposes. The validity of the Word of Wisdom with respect to alcohol is fully vindicated.
What to Do? Education is the first and perhaps the last step in the fight against alcohol. If the dangers of alcohol were impressed upon the minds of the public as are the rules of arithmetic, alcoholic beverages would lose their present social standing. The foolish hostess who serves a cocktail to her guests, presumably her friends, to ensure a more sparkling conversation at her dinner table, is usually unaware of the fact that "the amount of alcohol contained in a cocktail produces a greater effect on the central nervous system than three or four times its alcoholic content administered as beer" (Dr. W. E. Dixon), that she is helping to destroy the health and ultimate happiness of her friends.
It is very probable that if temperance education in schools, churches and all welfare organizations had accompanied the American prohibition experiment, the vicious, unrelenting propaganda by those interested in making money from alcoholic drinks would not have succeeded in defeating the prohibition amendment.
Alcohol is a poor pick-me-up compared to other, harmless drinks. The story is told that F. W. Kraemer, the famous English film director, while directing the play "Tin Gods", in the midst of a long, trying work period, called to a new property man to get him some "dynamite". Half an hour later the man returned with the report that dynamite was not to be had, even at the arsenal! What Mr. Kraemer really wanted as a drink was a special non-alcoholic pick-me-up, which had been found to be so successful in "toning up" the tired actors that it had been nick-named "dynamite". It was a glass of milk into which two eggs and the juice of an orange were beaten! Alcohol is a poor and injurious tonic; there are others, better and harmless.
The personal methods of overcoming the habit are like those suggested for the conquest of the tobacco habit. (see chapter 6)
Wine for the Sacrament. The Word of Wisdom provides that wine used for the Sacrament, should be "pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make." This statement is understood to mean new or unfermented grape juice, since the Word of Wisdom declares unequivocally against the internal use of alcohol in any form.
This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that under divine command, water was early in the history of the Church substituted for wine, for sacramental purposes. The revelation reads:
"For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins." 11
Water is always used by the Church in partaking of the sacrament.
Reference is often made to the supposed use of wine by the Savior at the last supper. It is well known, however, that the words "the fruit of the vine" have been translated as "wine". It is equally well known that in the Old Testament, three different words are translated "wine", two of which, used most commonly, refer clearly to unfermented grape juice. In the New Testament two Greek words, not necessarily representing fermented grape juice, are translated "wine". Intoxicating wine was not a common beverage among ancient Israel. 12
The Word of Wisdom Confirmed. Certain it is that the prohibition in the Word of Wisdom against the use of alcohol as a beverage is in full concord with the best knowledge of the day. The direct statement of the Word of Wisdom implying that alcohol is not good for man must be looked upon, in consideration of the knowledge of Joseph Smith's day, as an evidence of divine inspiration.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogen, E., and Hisey, L. W. S., What About Alcohol, 1934.
Chapple, W. A., Evils of Alcohol, 1911.
Corradini, R. E., Narcotics and Youth Today, 1934.
Crichton-Browne, Sir James, What We Drink, 1930.
Emerson, H., Alcohol and Man, 1932.
Fisher, I., Prohibition At Its Worst, 1926.
Fisher, I., and Broughamp, Prohibition Still At Its Worst, 1928.
Gordon, E., When The Brewer Had The Stranglehold, 1930.
Harkness and Fort, Youth Studies Alcohol, 1937.
Horsley, Sir Victor, and Sturge, M. D., Alcohol and the Human Body, 1915.
Koren, J., Alcohol and Society, 1916.
Palmer, B. R., A Syllabus of Alcohol Education, 1935.
Pearl, R., Alcohol and Longevity, 1936.
Samuelson, J., History of Drink, 1878.
Transeau, E. L. B., Effects of Alcoholic Drinks, 1933.
Weeks, C. C., Alcohol and Human Life, 1929.
Williams, A. D., and Stoddard, C. F., The Scientist Experiments with Alcohol, 1935.
Alcohol: Its Action on the Human Organism, British Medical Research Council, 1923.
A Review of the Effects of Alcohol on Man, under the auspices of a British Committee, 1931. ___________________________________
Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:5, 7.
2. Evans, R. L., A Century of "Mormonism" in Great Britain, 1937, pp. 44-49, Deseret Book Company.
3. Weeks, C. C., Alcohol and Human Life, 1929, p. 63.
4. Weeks, C. C., Alcohol and Human Life, pp. 67, 68, 1929.
5. Munsterberg. H., American Problems, 1910, p. 81.
6. Transeau, E. L. B., Effects of Alcoholic Drinks, 1933, p. 42.
7. Weeks, C. C., Alcohol and Human Health, 1929, p. 107.
8. Weeks, C. C., Alcohol and Human Life, pp. 110-111, 1929.
9. Ibid., pp. 103-104.
10. Manual for Teaching in Massachusetts, p. 25.
11. Doctrine and Covenants 27:2.
12. Gall, An Interpreting Concordance of the New Testament, 1863; Ritchie, Wm., Scripture Wines, 1870; Emerson, R. E., A Lay Thesis on Bible Wines, 1902. ___________________________________
Chapter 6
TOBACCO
"Tobacco is not 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." 1
Historical. The use of tobacco by civilized man dates from the discovery of America by Columbus. The early explorers observed that the North American Indians smoked the leaves of the tobacco plant for ceremonial purposes. Some of the early colonists adopted the practice, and carried it to Spain, England and other European countries. The practice spread slowly over Europe and became current among the American Colonists.
At first it was thought that tobacco-smoking was beneficial and health-giving, but later and longer observation of tobacco users convinced the majority of people that it was injurious to the human system. Laws and royal proclamations forbade the use of tobacco, and smoking became a punishable offense. Victims of the tobacco habit found, however, that these laws were not enforced, and the practice grew.
There were always sharp differences of opinion between the smokers and the non-smokers concerning the effect of tobacco on the user of it. Books and pamphlets were written and speeches delivered, for and against the practice; but in that day, when the scientific treatment of human problems had scarcely begun, neither side could bring convincing evidence to its support. All agreed, however, on two points of major importance: that tobacco was not necessary for human welfare, and that the tobacco habit was exceedingly difficult to overcome.
Such was the condition of the tobacco question in 1833, when the Prophet Joseph Smith received the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom. What is the verdict on the use of tobacco, and therefore on this phase of the Word of Wisdom, by the century since then, the period of the world's greatest scientific progress?
Financial Cost. The use of tobacco has increased greatly during the last half century. During the sixty-year period from 1870 to 1930, the production of tobacco in the United States of America increased from 225,000,000 pounds to 1,635,210,000 pounds or nearly eightfold, far in excess of the increase in population. The per capita tobacco consumption by the American people in 1931 was 3 pounds of snuff and smoking tobacco, 43 cigars and 943 cigarettes—a tidy offering for every man, woman and child in the land. And since there are countless people who are not addicted to its use, some idea may be gained of the per capita amount consumed by those who do use it. In 1934 the national consumption was 134,607,741,257 cigarettes, 4,763,883,947 cigars, 95,875 tons of pipe tobacco and 18,030 tons of snuff. 2 In 1936, the consumption had increased to 139,968,684,406 cigarettes and 4,863,191,852 cigars.
America produces about 35% of the world's supply of tobacco. It also consumes more tobacco than any other country. In 1930, when the total per capita consumption of tobacco in the United States of America was 5.92 pounds, it was 4.90 in Belgium, 4.76 in Egypt, 2.95 in the British Isles, 2.90 in France, and 2.35 in Italy.
During this period of increased tobacco use, from 1914 to 1931, the per capita number of cigars consumed decreased from 73 to 43; pounds of smoking tobacco from 4.2 to 2.7; while the per capita number of cigarettes consumed rose from 172 to 943, implying a tremendous shift towards the cigarette, which is a most notable factor in any discussion of the tobacco problem. In further illustration of this shift: During the decade 1926-1936, the annual consumption of cigars has fallen from nearly seven billion to less than five billion, while the consumption of cigarettes has risen from ninety-two billion to nearly one hundred and forty billion.
Dr. Henry Smith Williams has calculated that:
"The cigarettes smoked annually in America would suffice, if packed sardine-like, to pave a highway eighty feet wide from New York to Los Angeles. The cigars smoked annually would supply material for a three-foot shoulder on the highway, also from coast to coast. And there would remain 150,000 tons of tobacco for chewing and pipe-smoking, which would load, obviously, 30,000 five-ton vans." 3
The recent increase in the use of tobacco, with the shift towards cigarettes, is undoubtedly due, in chief measure, to the whip of an advertising campaign in behalf of tobacco and cigarettes, unprecedented in the world's history. Page advertisements, cleverly designed, artistically drawn and beautifully colored, setting forth the supposed merits and desirability of the cigarette and of tobacco in general, have been published in every magazine of consequence, irrespective, apparently, of the facts in the case. Men and women of influence have allowed their names, often for money, to be used in behalf of the campaign. To fasten the tobacco habit upon youth, moral depths are reached by some manufacturers. Cigarettes are "doped" with habit-be-getting drugs. The desire for the repetition of the experience becomes correspondingly urgent. The advertising campaign for tobacco illustrates as nothing else the warning of the Word of Wisdom against "evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men". 4 It is true that some manufacturers are producing denicotinized cigarettes. Some of these are relatively free from nicotine, but the majority contain nearly as much nicotine as the ordinary cigarettes.
The world's tobacco bill is colossal. The value of manufactured tobacco produced in America in 1859 was $30,890,000; in 1929 it was $1,246,242,000. The value of property destroyed annually by fires caused by the matches and cigar and cigarette stubs of smokers is estimated at $30,000,000. The American people pay, therefore, at least $1,276,242,000 annually for the tobacco that they consume in chewing and smoking; and the retail value of these tobacco products is very much greater, approximating $1,500,000,000.
There can be no justification for the expenditure of so vast a sum of money, for an article which is conceded to be unnecessary and decidedly harmful to human welfare. Education, the conquest of poverty, needed national developments, the reduction of the national debt—all point to a better use of the money now spent for tobacco. The people engaged in the industry could with profit to all concerned be redirected into other industries providing the necessities and comforts of man. The economic verdict of the century is against tobacco.
Effects on the Body. In 1822, several hundred years after civilized man began the use of tobacco, it was discovered that tobacco leaves contain a highly poisonous substance, called nicotine, for the French Ambassador to Portugal about 1560, Jean Nicot, who helped spread knowledge concerning tobacco. Nicotine in its pure state is a colorless, oily liquid, a drop of which (as much as is found in a large cigar), taken internally is sufficient to kill a man. In former days, when tobacco was employed in medicine, numerous deaths resulted from the administration of tobacco, due to the presence of the deadly poison, nicotine. Today, tobacco is seldom used in medical practice. The amount of nicotine found in tobacco varies from about one to nine percent.
In the plant, nicotine is combined with various organic acids, forming nicotine salts which are easily soluble in water. Therefore, when tobacco is chewed, the nicotine is dissolved in the saliva and absorbed into the blood; when it is smoked, the heat of the burning material volatilizes the nicotine which is then brought into the body in a gaseous condition. Whether tobacco is chewed or smoked, the poison, nicotine, enters the body; when smoked, a number of combustion products, such as carbon monoxide, acrolein and furfurol, highly injurious to the body, are also inhaled. The first attempt to smoke, as is well known, usually produces an intense illness because the body reacts against the introduction of the inhaled poison. By repeated use, a certain tolerance is acquired, though the body continues to be injured by the practice. Immediate serious results following the chewing or smoking of tobacco are prevented by the gradual introduction of the injurious substances, a process which gives the body an opportunity to distribute them before they accumulate in excessive amounts. Therefore, tolerance for an otherwise poisonous substance is established.
This information should be sufficient to declare that tobacco injures the human frame. A person who takes poison into his system naturally should expect injury to follow. Yet in the face of the knowledge of the composition of tobacco and tobacco smoke, many smokers and chewers insist that no injury to the body results from the use of tobacco. This has led to a more careful study of the problem.
In 1918, a Committee to Study the Tobacco Problem was formed, consisting of 59 men eminent in their respective fields, some smokers, others non-smokers. Dr. Pierre Schrumpf-Pierron, a distinguished French leader in medical science, was appointed by this committee to gather the world's knowledge concerning the effects of tobacco upon the human body. The results of his studies were published in 1927 under the title, Tobacco and Physical Efficiency. In this work are gathered the reliable clinical data concerning the subject from all countries. "It is the first really complete compendium of the vast amount of literature of various countries concerning the effects of tobacco upon the human system."
The general findings of this elaborate study are concordant:
1. Tobacco cannot be freely indulged in without injury to the normal action of the heart. The heart-beats are increased 5 to 10 per minute; the blood pressure rises; there is often palpitation and pains in the head. In the lower animals there are marked changes in the walls of the arteries, which may also be the case with man.
2. The respiratory system is affected adversely by the use of tobacco. Hoarseness, coughs, bronchitis, tonsilitis, smokers' laryngitis, asthma and tuberculosis, are frequent results of smoking.
3. Disturbances of the digestive tract likewise follow tobaccoism. There is frequent loss of appetite, inhibitory action of the salivary glands, chronic pharyngitis, tobacco dyspepsia, cancer of the mouth, intestinal catarrh, duodenal ulcer and changes in the liver.
4. It has been observed also that the use of tobacco tends to delay growth, sometimes causes skin eruptions, dimness of the eyes, and other human ailments.
5. The reproductive powers and functions are interfered with by tobacco. It has been observed that a high death rate exists among children born to habitual smokers, especially where the use is excessive and indulged in by both father and mother. Even sterility may be noted as a result of excessive tobaccoism. 5
6. The degree of injury resulting from tobaccoism depends on the soundness of the individual and the extent of the habit. Those who are subject to degenerative changes, who are diseased, will suffer most directly from the evil effects of tobaccoism.
7. Cigarettes seem worse than pipes or cigars.
8. There is some evidence to indicate that the taste for tobacco may be inherited.
9. Tobacco acts as a narcotic upon the nervous system. It usually acts as a depressant, but it may at times, depending upon the condition of the user, serve as a stimulant. It is a sedative, giving the sensation of rest. This of course is the reaction that makes it so appealing, especially to those who are not in full normal health. The effect of the tobacco wears off, however, in a short time, and the process must be repeated. Thus the habit becomes fixed. Meanwhile the nervous system is subjected to chronic tobacco poisoning, and there often follows, in time, neuralgia, headaches, dizziness, irritability and loss of memory, sometimes even paralysis of vision, hearing, taste and smell.
Dr. Schrumph-Pierron suggests that undoubtedly, as more direct and refined studies of the subject are made, the evil effects of tobacco upon the human body will become even more apparent than they are today.
The author urges a more sober use of tobacco, or better still, complete abstinence or abandonment of it. One cannot deny that, upon the world's substantiated knowledge, tobacco must be declared seriously harmful to the human body.
The Word of Wisdom is again confirmed.
Effects on the Mind. The Committee to Study the Tobacco Problem appointed Professor M. V. O'Shea of the University of Wisconsin to study the mental aspects of tobaccoism. His findings were published in 1923 under the title Tobacco and Mental Efficiency.
In this investigation, the difficulty of comparing smokers with non-smokers was greater than in securing direct evidence of injured bodily tissue. No one would urge non-smokers to take up smoking for experimental purposes, and it became necessary, therefore, to ask smokers to desist from the practice for certain periods, for comparative purposes. Since smokers were used it was not easily determined what a man might do or have done, had he not been a smoker. Nevertheless, in the face of such handicaps, the investigation resulted in some very valuable and definite conclusions.
Seventy thousand high school records were examined. Intelligence tests showed that smokers and non-smokers did not differ much in native ability. When, however, the scholarship performances of smokers and non-smokers were compared, an "antagonism of a serious nature" was found between smoking and scholarship; "they were incompatible in marked degree".
The principals of 206 high schools further cooperated in the study. The general results were the same. Scholarship and deportment decreased with the use of tobacco. Professor O'Shea declares that "one cannot go over the reports from these 206 schools without forming the conviction that tobacco is either directly or indirectly playing a tragic role in the high school."
A number of school principals have from time to time made studies of the mental efficiency of their students afflicted with the smoking habit. Invariably the conclusion is the same: Tobacco is a hindrance to mental efficiency. Professor R. L. Sandwick of Durfield High School, Highland Park, Illinois, made a study of a typical high school:
Average Grade
77 had never smoked……………………..84.5
24 had quit smoking……………………...80.5
55 habitual smokers, in school……………76
45 habitual smokers, quit school………….69
Average grade of 10 highest non-smokers: 90.9
Average grade of 10 highest smokers: 78.9
Dr. George H. Meylan, of Columbia University, made a study of 223 college freshmen and sophomores:
Average Entrance Grade:
110 non-smokers: 91%
113 smokers: 89%
Average Grade During First Two Years:
110 non-smokers: 69%
113 smokers: 62%
Failures During First Two Years:
110 non-smokers: 4%
113 smokers: 10%
Dr. Frederick J. Pack of the University of Utah obtained records from twelve colleges and showed that the scholastic standing of 81 non-smokers was 79.4 and of 81 smokers was 74.5. 6
Other investigations could be cited, but with the same conclusion: Smoking lowers scholarship.
A few attempts have been made to determine just "what happens to the intellectual activities of a pupil who uses tobacco". Can he reason as well, add as accurately, read as rapidly, operate a machine as safely? Such experiments are difficult to conduct in view of the many factors to be considered, and especially since, as already suggested, habitual smokers are commonly used in the tests. As far as such experiments have gone, their verdict is against tobacco, for it tends to slow down cerebral activity. This field offers opportunity for most interesting observations.
A paragraph from Dr. Schrumph-Pierron bears directly on this subject:
"It appears from these experiments [on mental efficiency] that smokers who attribute to smoking an increase in their capacity for intellectual and physical work are subjects of autosuggestion; or the increased cerebral circulation from increased heart frequency may seem to produce an increased mental activity." 7
It may be said, safely, that the use of tobacco decreases mental efficiency. Again, the Word of Wisdom is shown to be correct.
Moral and Social Effects. Large numbers of honorable, industrious, capable people have acquired the tobacco habit. Nevertheless, there are moral aspects to the tobacco problem that cannot well be ignored.
The will of the smoker is unquestionably weakened. He finds it difficult, often impossible, to overcome the habit, once established. Any injury to the will has a moral equivalent. A will too weak to resist the lure of tobacco may at times find itself too weak to resist other evil offerings. Perhaps man can suffer no more serious handicap than the possession of a weak will. There are few more pitiable objects than the youth who, weakened in body and mind by the early and excessive use of tobacco, does not have the necessary power of will, even under kindly leadership, to throw off the habit and save himself for life's more complete happiness.
It is commonly observed that the smoker becomes careless of little matters of propriety. The cigar or cigarette stubs are thrown into the ash tray; if they miss the receptacle they are allowed to lie where they fall. One need only to note the burned spots in hotel and apartment carpets or in restaurant table cloths. Burning cigarettes are left carelessly on furniture until they burn through the paint into the wood. Cigarette stubs are flung about in the open, resulting in fire damage running into millions of dollars annually. The finer sensibilities of man deteriorate clearly as the tobacco habit grows upon him.
A type of selfishness develops with the tobacco habit. The rights of others are ignored. The smoker on the front seat of the bus will unconcernedly blow his smoke into the faces of the people behind him. He growls if he is asked on a train to confine his smoking to the smoking room. He fills a public dining-room, and often a private one, with tobacco smoke, with utter indifference to the desires of others to whom the habit may be highly offensive. He buys a dime's worth of cigarettes and assumes that thereby he is entitled to foul the air wherever he goes. The disregard of others, a moral weakness, is most easily observed among smokers, though they themselves, by their very condition, are unconscious of it.
Perhaps the most impressive evidence of moral deterioration due to the use of tobacco is the established fact that other injurious habits are usually associated with tobaccoism. While it cannot be said that all tobacco users drink alcoholic beverages, it may be safely asserted that few if any persons addicted to the use, especially the large use, of intoxicating liquors, are free from the tobacco habit. Tobacco and liquor are bond brothers. Moreover, the path to the use of opium and related drugs is usually via tobacco and alcohol. Likewise it is beyond controversy that criminals are in the great majority of cases users of tobacco. Liquor, tobacco and crime always form a close association.
Several investigations on this subject, notably with respect to high school boys, are in agreement as to the results obtained. Superintendent H. D. Hervey, of Malden, Massachusetts, 8 obtained with the aid of his teachers, the following convincing statistics on the moral conditions of the smokers and non-smokers in his schools:
Smokers Non-Smokers
Weak of will ..…….........32………………….1
Coward ..........................15.............................0
Liar ................................16..............………...0
Degenerate ................…..7.........................….0
Vulgar ............................12.........................….0
Influence bad .................15..........................…0
Disobedience .................18..............................1
Disrespectful .................11..............................0
Truant ..........................16............................…0
Another interesting study was made of boys in the average public schools of New York City by P. L. Lord. 9 Twenty boys were chosen by lot from non-smokers, twenty from smokers, in the same classes in the same schools. Their ages ranged from ten to seventeen years. The two groups were under observation for several months, and reported upon by ten teachers. The results follow:
Smokers Non-Smokers
Nervous ..................................14.............................1
Impaired hearing .....................13............................1
Poor memory ...............…........12............................1
Bad manners ...........................16............................2
Low deportment .....................13............................1
Poor physical condition ...........12.........................…2
Bad moral condition ........…....18............................1
Street loafers .....................…....16...........................0
Out nights ...............................15............................0
Careless in dress ......................12.............................1
Truants ..................................10...............................0
Low ranks in studies ....……..18..............................3
Failed in promotion .......……79 times................2 times
Older than average in grade....19..............................2
The evidence at hand points clearly to a reduction of moral power from the use of tobacco.
Personal Opinions. The personal opinions of thoughtful men, based upon general observation, are always of value. However, when questions of habit or self-interest arise, answers are likely to be colored with personal desires. Only two classes of people are involved in the tobacco question: Those who praise the tobacco habit, and those who condemn it. Smokers and a few others praise it; non-smokers, and a few others condemn it. It is difficult to accept unsupported testimony from either class. Other evidence must be sought.
Among the eminent men of Europe and America since the introduction of tobacco, many smokers as well as non-smokers will be found. Each group have defended their own practice. When, however, the lives of the smokers are carefully studied, the evil effects of tobacco often appear, as in physical disorders, temperamental vagaries, or early death. This subject also is worthy of careful study.
At various times, studies of the subject have been made by asking men, smokers, who have risen high in the activities of life, to give their opinion of the effects of the tobacco habit. The answers have been various; but, so far, none has claimed that his success was won through the use of tobacco. Any testimony in favor of tobacco from such persons is likely to be faulty, for they belong to a highly selected group, of unusual physical and mental strength, sufficient perhaps to offset temporarily the evil effects of tobacco. How many of these prominent people might have achieved more, done better, and found more happiness without the use of tobacco? The real question is, however, concerning the masses of men, those perhaps of lesser inborn gifts. How many of them have been held back, suffered defeat and tasted the bitterness of life because of the tobacco habit? Were such a survey to be made, the evidence already at hand predicts that tobacco would be condemned in unmeasured terms. Perhaps such studies may yet be made.
However, certain facts of value as to personal opinions concerning tobacco still remain.
Nearly every civilized country has enacted laws against the use of tobacco by minors. Few business enterprises will employ juniors who smoke. This must reflect an international experience which cannot be ignored. The united observation of many peoples against the use of tobacco by youth must be given proper consideration.
Numerous men of highest eminence, usually employers of labor, have pronounced directly against the tobacco habit. Dr. W. J. Mayo, Chauncey Depew, Hudson Maxim, Thomas A. Edison, Luther Burbank, E. H. Harriman, Charles A. Lindbergh, Coach A. A. Stagg, Connie Mack, Madame Schumann-Heink, and Henry Ford, are but a few of hundreds who might be enumerated. The smoker would have you believe that everybody smokes. That is not so. The words of Harvey W. Wiley, internationally famous chemist and food scientist may well be pondered by all.
"I commend Mr. Henry Ford, Mr. Thomas A. Edison, and all people who join them in efforts to curtail or restrict, obliterate or destroy the pernicious habit of cigarette smoking. The use of cigarettes is making inroads on the strength of the nerves of all who smoke them, especially boys of tender years or women who smoke them because they think that the practice is smart. The effect may not be so bad on people of more mature years, but not in any case, no matter how old a man or woman, is smoking helpful. Besides constituting a nuisance, the financial strain connected with the use of tobacco stands between millions of people and home comforts.
"A man should so order his activities that he needs no comforter except wholesome food, illuminating literature, a fond family, and a progressive community. He who has to seek consolation in a drug store is going wrong. There is something out of condition in his make-up. He has a false view of life. Happiness consists in accomplishment, contentment, in satisfaction with the environment, not in Lethean passivity. There is no place in the normal life for an illusory delight nor a drug-provoked contentment. Tobacco never has brought and never will bring any real happiness to humanity." 10
Effects on Girls and Women. Evil as are the effects of the use of tobacco on men, they are worse on girls and women. Since the World War, girls and women smokers may be seen almost everywhere. Since woman's nervous organization is more delicate than man's it is injured more by tobacco; and women, for the same reason, become more abject slaves to the tobacco habit. It has been well established that women who smoke suffer all the evils of tobaccoism and become prematurely aged, because of the effect on the entire body, especially the complexion. The managing director of the National Beauty Shop Association has said:
"The features of women who smoke grow sharper as the nicotine habit fastens upon them, the skin becomes taut and sallow, the lips lose their rosy color, the corners of the mouth show wrinkles, the lower lip shows a tendency to project beyond the upper lip, the eyes acquire a stare, and the lids rise and fall more slowly." 11
More serious however is the effect of smoking on motherhood. Nicotine is a deadly poison to the life germ. The unborn babe is surrounded by fluids containing nicotine. The milk from the breasts of a smoking mother contain nicotine. 12 The babe often comes into the world sick; and is kept sick. Often it is stillborn or malformed. And such cases are much more frequent among smokers. It is always handicapped for life's journey. In time sterility on the part of the mother may ensue. Motherhood, the crown of womanhood, holy and pure, is exchanged for the cigarette. The future of the race is thus bound up with the use of tobacco. Dr. Hugh S. Cummings, former Surgeon General of the U. S. Public Health Service, declares that "If American women generally contract the [tobacco] habit the physical tone of the whole nation will be lowered—the habit harms a woman more than a man." Tobacco is a racial poison, but especially when used by women. 13
Tobacco and the Creative Gift. Tobacco is not necessary to accomplish great artistic creations. Some modern workers in the creative fields, notably in literature, claim that their creative ability depends on the use of tobacco. This is folly. In answer, one need only recite the names of the great ones of old, who, before tobacco was available or who were not tobacco users, produced the major classics of literature and art, such as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, Goethe, Phidias, Dante, Rousseau, Raphael, Michael Angelo, Locke, and countless others.
The ancient and medieval classics of literature, the masterpieces of sculpture and painting, the models of architecture, the profoundest of philosophies, the most notable explorations, the sublimest examples of faith and heroism, the seven wonders of the world, and a host of other creative products of man came into being before humanity had general access to tobacco. It cannot be maintained that the original and creative activities of the human mind, the greatest, are dependent upon the stimulus given by this narcotic. 14
General Conclusions. Examined from every point of view, in the light of modern knowledge, the prohibition against tobacco in the Word of Wisdom is fully upheld and sustained. The welfare of the race demands the cessation of the use of tobacco. Latter-day Saints should absolutely refrain from its use, both in the interest of their own health and as an example to others. Health of body, clearness of mind, spiritual power and the respect of fellow men will be gained by strict observance of this and the other provisions of the Word of Wisdom.
Curing the Tobacco Habit. It is relatively easy to acquire the tobacco habit. A few days of nausea, headache and vomiting, and the habit sits astride its victim. To stop smoking is quite another matter. It requires the most earnest effort, a fight to the finish. The enemy does not propose to be dislodged.
Many tobacco cures have been suggested. The essence of the successful ones is included in the following six suggestions:
1. There must be a resolute desire to overcome the habit, sufficient to bring the will into action. Usually it is best to make up one's mind to stop at once and then to stop!
2. Find interesting mental, physical, social activities to help take the mind off tobacco.
3. Eat no stimulating foods. Avoid pepper, mustard and other spices; also all hot or highly seasoned sauces. Drink no alcohol, coffee, tea, or other drug-containing beverages.
4. Adopt a natural diet, in harmony with the positive factors of the Word of Wisdom. That is, plenty of fruit and vegetables, with grain foods and very little meat. (see chapters 8 to 16)
5. Drink plenty of water—six glasses and upward daily.
6. Secure ample physical exercise, and live normally in every way.
It has been found in repeated hospital experience that the best cure of the tobacco habit comes when a rational mode of living is followed.
Proper Uses of Tobacco. The quotation from the Word of Wisdom at the head of this chapter, indicates that tobacco may be put to beneficial uses. It is in fact used very extensively as a disinfectant and insecticide. The poison that it contains kills living organisms and is therefore useful in destroying those inimical to the growth of agricultural crops. Likewise the antiseptic value of tobacco would make it useful in emergencies in cleansing wounds and preventing suppuration. It has long been known that tobacco may be used in treatment of the diseases of the lower animals, though seldom so used now. Modern scientific discoveries have replaced older methods; but the disinfecting power of tobacco as indicated in the Word of Wisdom, and fitting the day it was given, still remains.
A Word of Warning. Tobacco is only one of various narcotics used by man. The story of opium and related substances is one of awful human degradation. So evident have been the evil effects of the use of opium [the juice of the poppy] that by international agreement the sale of opium and its products is confined to the medical profession, to be used strictly and exclusively for medicinal purposes. Despite the earnest efforts of official agencies for the control of the narcotic traffic, the illicit trade in opium is destroying great numbers of human beings annually.
Among the many plants containing narcotic poison to come to the front in very recent days is the ancient Hashish, or Marijuana, often known as Indian Hemp, now occurring as a weed (loco weed) throughout the United States. The dried plant is usually smoked. Its destructive effects upon body and mind are terrible. In its wake are "murders, suicides, robberies, criminal assaults, holdups, burglaries, and deeds of maniacal insanity," 15 with the final deterioration of every natural power of the user.
The conscienceless vendor of marijuana and similar narcotics makes youth his chief victim. The first taste demands repetition; the habit is established; the victim is soon enslaved, too often for life, if life it can be called to live under the thraldom of the drug. Fortunately, for the addict, he cannot live long. The hopes of youth are lost in indescribable misery.
The United States Commissioner of narcotics has warned the public that the vendors of marijuana are operating chiefly among high school students, and he declares that the marijuana cigarette is "as dangerous as a coiled rattlesnake." 16
It is said that cigarettes may be bought on the open market, made of a mixture of tobacco and marijuana, so that the tobacco smoking habit may be the more quickly and securely fastened upon the beginner. It is difficult to believe that such moral degeneracy may be found in the world of commerce; but parents and all good citizens should be alert in fighting the enemy. Tobacco, while perhaps not as evil as some other narcotics, comes of an evil brood.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Alcott, W. A., Tobacco, 1894.
Anslinger and Cooper, Marijuana, Assassin of Youth, American Magazine, July, 1937.
Bastedo, W. A., What The Physician Should Know About Tobacco Smoking, 1935.
Brown, W. H., Tobacco Under The Searchlight, 1925.
Corradini, R. E., Narcotics and Youth Today, 1934.
Crossland, F. B., The Tobacco Habit, 1928.
Fink, B., Tobacco, 1915.
Fisher, I., Tobacco: A Threefold Study, 1924.
Fisher, I. and Fisk, E. L., How to Live, 1920.
Fisher, G. J. and Berry, E., The Physical Effects of Smoking, 1917.
Ford, Henry, The Little White Slaver, 1916.
Kellogg, J. H., Tobaccoism, 1921.
Kress, D. H., The Cigarette as a Physician Sees It, 1931.
Lander, M., The Tobacco Problem, 1885.
Macfadden, B., The Truth About Tobacco, 1922.
Mendenhall, W. L., Tobacco (Harvard Health Talks), 1930.
Oaks, L. W., Can I Quit Tobacco? Yes, 1932.
Oaks, L. W., Medical Aspects of the Word of Wisdom, 1929.
O'Shea, M. V., Tobacco and Mental Efficiency, 1923.
Pack, F. J., Tobacco and Human Efficiency, 1918.
Roman, F. W., Nicotine, 1923.
Schrumph-Pierron, P., Tobacco and Physical Efficiency, 1927.
Sims, A., The Common Use of Tobacco, 1894.
Slocum, C. E., About Tobacco.
Towns, C. B., Habits That Handicap, 1916.
Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men, 1935.
Wood, Frank Leighton, M. D., Smoking and Other Habits.
The Case Against Tobacco, L. D. S. Social Advisory Committee, 1921.
Flowers and Bowers, The Menace of Morphine, Heroin and Cocaine.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:8.
2. Time, Vol. 28, No. 25, p. 23.
3. Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men, 1935, p. 111, Robert McBride Co.
4. During the first six months of 1937, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Liggett and Myers Tobacco Co., and American Tobacco Co., spent for advertising in magazines and over the radio, $5,854,000, or during the year at the same rate, nearly twelve millions of dollars. Huge sums are spent in addition for other advertising such as in newspapers, by mail advertisements, free cigarettes, etc. (Printer's Ink, Aug. 7, 1937.)
5. Schrumph-Pierron, P., Tobacco and Physical Efficiency, 1927, p. 53.
6. Journal of Education, 65:485-487, 1907.
7. O'Shea, M. V., Tobacco and Mental Efficiency, 1923, p. 122.
8. Good Housekeeping, January, 1916.
9. Kress, D. H., The Cigarette, p. 32, 1931.
10. Hatcher and Crosley, American Journal Diseases of Children, 38:152, 1927; Emanuel, American Journal Diseases of Children, 44:428, 1931; Sherbon, The Child, p. 202, 1934.
11. Kress, D. H., The Cigarette, 1931, p. 30.
12. O'Shea, M. V., Tobacco and Mental Efficiency, 1923, pp. 112-115.
13. Anslinger and Cooper, American Magazine, July, 1937.
14. See, McCormack, G. R., Hygeia, October, 1937.
15. Dr. Frank Leighton Wood in Smoking and Other Habits, page 58, states: "Temporary, partial, or even complete impotency results in men."
16. Pack, F. J., Tobacco and Human Efficiency, 1918. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 7
HOT DRINKS
"Hot drinks are not for the body or belly." 1
The Meaning of "Hot Drinks". When the Word of Wisdom was first promulgated in 1833, the question was at once asked: What is the meaning of "hot drinks?" Was it an injunction against consuming beverages so hot as to burn the tongue or mouth? That did not seem reasonable. Did it mean that the consumption of warm drinks should be reduced? That did not, even in that day, seem so unreasonable, for it was recognized that the stomach lining might be made unduly sensitive by frequent large ingestions of hot liquids. In fact, some clinical results of the modern day indicate that hot beverages, continuously used, predispose the stomach to certain serious disorders.
The question concerning the meaning of "hot drinks," as used in the Word of Wisdom, was at last brought to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He defined "hot drinks" as tea and coffee, the two common household beverages of the day. Joel H. Johnson, with whose family the Prophet was intimate, relates that on a Sabbath day in July (1833) following the giving of the "Word of Wisdom," when both Joseph and Hyrum Smith were in the stand, the Prophet said to the Saints: "I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said 'hot drinks' in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. Tea and coffee are what the Lord meant when he said 'hot drinks.'" 2 On March 17, 1838, when the body of Seventies were preparing for their pilgrimage to the "land of Zion," they agreed that they should see to it that "the commandments are kept, and the Word of Wisdom heeded, that is, no tobacco, tea, coffee, snuff or ardent spirits of any kind to be taken internally". 3 Sometime later, in 1842, Hyrum Smith, the Prophet's brother, in speaking upon the Word of Wisdom concerning the term "hot drinks" said, "There are many who wonder what this can mean, whether it refers to tea or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea and coffee." 4 Brigham Young, who, as the President of the Council of Twelve, was very near to the Prophet, always taught that "hot drinks" meant tea and coffee.
He once said:
"I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom; 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." 5
Moreover, from the time that the Word of Wisdom was received, until the present day, the Church as a whole has understood and taught that the term "hot drinks" refers to tea and coffee and all similar beverages. This definition may be extended to include all drinks whether hot or cold in temperature which, like coffee and tea, contain any stimulating substance, for such are detrimental to health.
This definition of "hot drinks" furnishes the key to this part of the Word of Wisdom.
One may well ask: what has modern scientific investigation to say about this definition of the term "hot drinks"? Has the statement been interpreted arbitrarily or are there good scientific reasons why such drinks are injurious to human welfare?
Historical. Coffee and tea are among the oldest beverages used by man. The origin of their use is lost in antiquity. Coffee appears to have come from Abyssinia, the present Ethiopia, and from the neighboring countries, especially Arabia. Tea on the other hand has come from the Far East, India, China, where it has been used from time immemorial.
Both coffee and tea made their appearance in Europe towards the middle of the seventeenth century, about the time of the introduction of tobacco. Today, coffee and tea are the most widely used beverages of man.
Joseph Smith was not the first to advise against the inclusion of coffee and tea in the human dietary. Mohammed, in the Koran, forbade the use of coffee (also alcohol.) At various times, men, observing the deleterious effects of these drinks upon the human system, have written and spoken against them. Even laws have been passed against coffee and coffee houses.
Economics of Hot Drinks. The coffee and tea habit has spread over the world. In the United States alone, in 1936, the consumption of coffee was 1,739,184,000 pounds or a per capita consumption of 13.48 pounds. The value of this quantity in the raw state was $133,961,369. In the same year the United States used 82,476,599 pounds of tea, about two-thirds of a pound per capita, with a value of $17,885,001. To these vast sums the cost of manufacture and distribution must be added. The combined value in the raw state of these two luxuries, which are detrimental to human health, reached in 1936 the great sum of $151,846,370. The cost to the ultimate consumer was undoubtedly several times as large, approximating $650,000,000. Besides, and of most consequence, "the amount of tea and coffee consumed in America is adequate to supply every adult in the land about three grains of caffeine (a large dose, medicinally speaking) every day in the year." 6 When one considers the numbers of those who do not use these drugs it may be guessed how many over-use them.
The world consumption of coffee in 1933 was not far from five and one-half billion pounds, valued approximately in the raw state, at four hundred million dollars. The world consumption of tea is even larger, but difficult to estimate. Great Britain alone consumed, in 1929, 559,167,758 pounds of tea, valued in the raw state at $187,791,410. China and Great Britain are the chief tea-drinking countries in the world; America and the Scandinavian countries, the chief coffee consumers.
Since all of these and similar beverages are not only unnecessary for human welfare, but actually injurious to the body, the huge expenditures for tea and coffee and similar substances cannot be defended. The money might better be used for the normal, necessary requirements of man.
It seems clear that the "hot drinks" habit has increased greatly in recent years. For example, in the United States the per capita consumption of coffee in 1830 was 2.99 pounds; in 1933, 12.52 pounds—a four-fold increase. The increase in the use of tea in the United States, not a tea-drinking nation, while not so great is substantial.
Composition of Coffee and Tea. At the time of the receiving of the Word of Wisdom little was known of the composition of tea or coffee. The study of the ingredients of the natural products of the plant kingdom was in its infancy, as indeed was the whole science of chemistry. It was of course assumed, since these beverages had a distinct effect upon the body, that they contained some "active principle."
In 1821, a white, silky substance, odorless and bitter to the taste, was extracted from coffee and named caffeine. Six years later, the same substance was found to exist in tea. Thousands of chemical analyses of tea and coffee have been made during the last century. Coffee contains small quantities of several substances of questionable value to man, such as trigonelline and the depsides; and also from one to two percent of caffeine. Tea, in addition to several other somewhat harmful substances, contains three to six percent of caffeine and over ten percent (at times as high as 25 percent) of tannin. A small quantity of tannin is found in coffee also. A cup of tea or coffee contains about one to one and one-half grains of caffeine.
Caffeine has been shown since that time to be one of a series of chemical compounds known as purin derivatives. These compounds, alkaloids, are found rather widely distributed in the plant kingdom. In their chemical nature they are related to urea, a waste product of the animal body. Whether these purin derivatives, alkaloids and poisons, are the products of the disintegration of the protein substances in the plant, as the corresponding substances are formed in the animal body, is not yet known. The suggestion has been made that they serve the purpose, because of their taste and after effect, of protecting the plant against destruction by wild animals.
Three substances are of special concern in the study of "hot drinks": caffeine and its near chemical relatives, theophylline, and theobromine. These have to some degree the same or similar physiological effects. They are usually associated in nature, though caffeine predominates in coffee and tea, and theobromine in chocolate and cocoa. The special importance of theophylline is that it is made synthetically and is no doubt often used in commercial beverages.
Effects Upon the Body and Mind. Caffeine found in tea, coffee, and other foods and drinks, is a drug, an alkaloid, related to some of the most violent of poisons. When it enters the human body, it produces at first a feeling of stimulation, followed in due course by a period of depression, relief from which is sought by the use of more caffeine. It is, therefore, habit-forming, so that the power of the will is weakened. It deceives the user into the belief that he is better off, when in fact he is laying the foundation for an increasingly worse condition. The causes that led to the taking of the drug remain just the same, for they cannot be removed by drug taking. Drugs cannot build up the body; they merely mask the truth, temporarily. Only by natural processes such as rest and proper food can fatigue be overcome and new power acquired. Like all other drugs of its class, these alkaloids—caffeine, theobromine, theophylline—fasten their hold upon the victim with a firm, unyielding grasp.
In recent years it has been found that trigonelline, which occurs in coffee to the extent of about one-fourth of one percent, may act as a poison upon people with "acid" stomach. Trigonelline is hydrolized by acids into methyl nicotinic acid, a near relative of nicotine. This acid is a poison to the human body. An "acid" stomach changes the trigonelline into this injurious acid, often with serious results. Aged and sedentary people, for this reason, if for no other, should avoid the use of coffee.
Tannic acid, found in coffee in small quantity as tannin, but in tea to a large extent, is an astringent. It is found in oakbark and is the active substance in the tanning of leather. When tannic acid is taken into the body, its astringent nature affects the lining and the contents of the stomach and intestines, tending to cause many serious disorders. A practical recognition of the injurious effect of tannic acid is the advice to steep tea quickly in hot water, so that the caffeine, which is very soluble, may go into solution, while the less soluble tannic acid in large part remains behind. Long continued steeping of tea leaves brings the tannic acid into more complete solution and makes the resulting tea a more dangerous beverage.
Coffee and tea, very much alike in their immediate physiological action, both contain dangerous drugs. Like all other such poisons, their effects differ with the quantity given and the condition of the user. A person with a sensitive nervous system or one not in full strength is affected most quickly. A small amount of a drug may give a feeling of exhilaration while a large dose may produce death. Nevertheless, the constant taking of small doses of a poisonous drug has a cumulative effect and leads eventually to disease.
The physiological effects of caffeine have been studied experimentally by many investigators, especially in Europe. All have come to practically the same conclusion. All agree that the use of caffeine-containing beverages is harmful to the body and reduces normal health. No principle laid down in the Word of Wisdom has received more complete vindication by progressing science.
Coffee and tea act directly upon the brain. A small dose of caffeine, as found in a cup of coffee, stimulates the mental powers and banishes drowsiness. Connected thought becomes more difficult, for impressions come more rapidly. However, the period of reaction and depression more than offsets the artificially induced brilliance. Throughout a period of a week, month or year, the person who depends upon normal foods, rest and play for the regeneration of the power spent in daily activity will produce more and better work than the person can possibly do who resorts to artificial unnatural stimulation to accomplish the tasks before him.
The wider effect of caffeine upon the brain was put to experimental test by Professor Storm van Leuwen, of the University of Leyden, Holland. A dog was confined in a cage which registered every movement of the animal. After a small dose of caffeine, the movements of the dog increased more than three times; and a very small dose resulted in extreme restlessness during sleep. Caffeine has the same effect upon human beings. All coffee and tea drinkers may suffer, sooner or later, and usually do so, from insomnia, irritability, loss of memory, high blood pressure, headaches and other nervous disorders.
Dr. Hawk administered coffee "over a prolonged period," one to three times daily to 100 normal young men. The nervous system was "very definitely" and unfavorably affected and as a result the mechanical and mental efficiency of the coffee drinkers was materially lowered and they became less efficient human machines. 7
The heart and circulatory system are likewise affected by caffeine. Several investigators have demonstrated that not only are the heartbeats somewhat increased after coffee or tea drinking, but there follows also an irregularity of the heart, and an increase in the blood pressure. This means that more work is placed upon the heart. The increased rate of breathing after a cup of coffee is well known to every coffee user. There is direct action also upon the muscles, which has given rise to the statement that more muscular work may be done by men under the influence of caffeine. This is true, for a brief period, but as with the apparent mental brilliance after coffee drinking, the work done over a longer period of time is greater by a non-user of caffeine.
The irritation or injurious stimulation of the kidneys by caffeine, is a major evil of coffee and tea. These delicate organs should not be unduly, improperly and frequently excited as in the case with the habitual user of coffee and tea.
The whole body is more or less directly affected unfavorably by the use of caffeine-containing drinks. It has been reported that injury to eyes and ears and various glands has come from this habit. It seems clear that normal metabolism is interfered with by caffeine, since it disturbs the equilibrium that should exist between the nervous system and the various parts of the body. Indigestion and loss of appetite are often found among coffee and tea drinkers. Coffee poisoning is a malady of frequent occurrence.
All informed persons, whether users or not of "hot drinks," advise against allowing children the use of them, for the coffee or tea habit disturbs the nervous system, hinders nutrition and retards the normal growth and development of children. The reason, then, why the habitual adult caffeine-user does not at first suffer as much is that he possesses greater resistance, but to some degree he does suffer as does the child from the invariably injurious effects of habitual coffee and tea drinking.
Dr. L. W. Oaks calls special attention to the effect upon her child of the coffee and tea consumed by the nursing mother. The caffeine taken in by the mother is passed on in part through the mother's milk to the infant with corresponding injury.
"Many nervous, crying babies no doubt owe their unstable and irritable temperaments to the absorption of caffeine from the milk of tea or coffee-drinking mothers." 8
The expectant mother who uses caffeine-containing beverages is laying a foundation for failure in life for the unborn child. The human misery due to the caffeine habit is beyond estimation.
The best knowledge of the day fails to produce any good argument for the use of coffee or tea or any similar habit-forming drug. The fact that many people use them or have used them is no argument in their favor. Injurious things are often consumed through ignorance or because of the wilfulness of man. Those who never acquire the habit are better off, physically, mentally and economically. Undoubtedly, the habitual use of tea and coffee shortens many thousand lives each year and is the indirect cause of much suffering and inefficiency.
Other Stimulating Beverages. The drug caffeine is found in many other plants than tea and coffee, such as yerba, mate, Cola nuts, guarana paste and yonpon tea. 9 Decoctions of these and similar plants are often used where found for their stimulating effects and for commercial purposes the world over. They do not bear the names coffee and tea but have the same effect, because they usually contain the same poisonous drugs.
Caffeine is separated in large quantities from the coffee bean, to make decaffeinated coffee on the one hand, and caffeine-rich soft drinks on the other. Stimulating substances of this class are also made synthetically and given fancy names. Whenever a drink is advertised to "give you a lift," the "lift" is likely to be caused by the drug which it contains. Such soft drinks are decidedly harmful and habit-forming, even though sold by the millions. Such caffeine-containing drinks, offered by every soda fountain and most eating places, and consumed in large quantities, should be known and avoided. There is an added danger from the association of the caffeine with the syrup of the drink, for then one is apt to take much more caffeine than one would do if taking tea or coffee. Often the amount of caffeine in a portion of these drinks is larger than in a cup of strong coffee. The caffeine habit is soon developed, difficult to overcome, and body and mind are injured. Many unnecessary failures in life may be traced to the caffeine-habit as acquired elsewhere than by the use of coffee or tea.
Cocoa and Chocolate. The most common of the substances similar to caffeine widely distributed in nature and largely used by man, are the products of the cocoa bean—chocolate and cocoa. The United States consumes about 40 percent of the world's production of cocoa beans, which with other cocoa and chocolate importations amounted in 1936 to 631,883,818 pounds, with a value in the raw state of $33,000,803. The cocoa bean contains about 50 percent of fat and varying amounts up to 3 percent of the substance theobromine, a near relative of caffeine. Cocoa is usually the ground cocoa bean from which some of the fat has been expressed. Chocolate consists of ground cocoa bean from which the fat has not been removed, mixed with white sugar, starch and flavorings. The percentage of theobromine is therefore somewhat smaller than in the bean itself. Theobromine acts upon the body, especially upon the kidneys, very much as does caffeine. While it does not have as strong an effect upon the central nervous system, it is more irritating to the kidneys. Chocolate also contains considerable fat which has food value, but which sometimes is a combination too rich for weak digestions. Chocolate contains less theobromine than cocoa, and chocolate candy still less. However, the accompanying concentrated sugary preparations used excessively, are a menace to human health. (see chapter 12) The chocolate habit, which is related to the caffeine habit, is a matter of common observation, and should be controlled. The wise person tries to emancipate himself from the use of every habit-begetting drug.
Theophylline. Theophylline, less known, is more like caffeine in all of its physiological effects. It occurs in nature in small amounts, but since it is now made synthetically at a reasonable cost, it is a factor to be considered, for it is likely to appear more and more in a variety of beverages offered the public.
Curing the Caffeine Habit. As with the alcohol and tobacco habits, so with the caffeine habit. Assuming a will directed towards the conquest of the habit, the most direct way to success is through a natural, normal life. The observation of the positive factors of the Word of Wisdom—proper food, ample sleep, exercise, recreation and righteous living—would enable a person of reasonable self-control to overcome the caffeine habit. The well-nourished body has no unnatural cravings and does not need a "lift." (see chapters 8 to 16)
Avoid "Hot Drinks." Caffeine, the essential principle of tea and coffee, was discovered, as a chemical substance, a few years before the Word of Wisdom was received. This knowledge was, however, buried in scientific publications. It is very unlikely that the Prophet Joseph Smith had heard of it. It was many years after 1833 that the physiological effect of caffeine was established by science. In the days of Joseph Smith, tea and coffee did not come in for the disfavor shown by some towards alcohol and tobacco. Indeed, people were often advised to use tea and coffee as a means of conquering the liquor habit.
That the expression "hot drinks" was used in the Word of Wisdom rather than "coffee and tea," is notable; for by so doing a host of other injurious habit-forming beverages now used (or that may be used) become subject to the Word of Wisdom. Indeed, the use of the words "hot drinks" implies a knowledge beyond that possessed by man when the Word of Wisdom was received. It is remarkable indeed that Joseph Smith could so boldly declare himself against coffee and tea, as against all similar hurtful beverages, at a time when the world's learning could not safely make the statement.
Human experience, since that day, is all against the use of coffee and tea, and similar beverages. They gradually influence harmfully the mind and the body of the user, especially if excesses are indulged in, and the tendency of the habit is to demand more and more.
W. E. Dixon, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., in an exceedingly temperate study of caffeine beverages (1930) concludes that they tend to produce a condition of neurosis and chronic dyspepsia with all the attendant evils. He says:
"If a man drinks too much spirit his condition is easily recognized, but with tea and coffee the effects are much more insidious, since they act on the brain much as strychnine acts on the spinal cord. . . . Tea and coffee drinking may be directly responsible for, or at all events a contributing cause of, a large number of neurotics, just as surely as these drinks are known to produce chronic dyspeptics; and there is reason to believe that England and America (tea and coffee-drinking countries) show a larger proportion of neurotics in their population than other civilized countries." 10
Dr. Dixon, speaking to Great Britain, suggests that the habit of drinking tea and coffee is becoming sufficiently serious to justify consideration by politicians, public health agencies and temperance societies. One of the gravest dangers accompanying the caffeine habit is the failure to recognize fully the evil until perhaps later middle life, when the harm done to the body may be beyond recovery. Caffeine addiction may seem to give immediate exhilaration, but in the end destroys the joy of life, and also does irreparable injury for the future.
It is to be emphasized that cold or iced tea and coffee come under the ban of "hot drinks". The drug contained is just as injurious in iced as in hot coffee or tea. Moreover, iced drinks of any kind, unless drunk very slowly, may injure health.
Wise people, especially Latter-day Saints, should lay aside the caffeine-habit, if formed, and should avoid the use of all such beverages in the home, as should the whole world. True physical and mental enjoyment, and complete health cannot be won by those who are subject to the habit of drinking "hot drinks"—coffee and tea and related beverages. The waste of money alone, for unnecessary and harmful products, justifies opposition to all caffeine products except for industrial and medical purposes.
A Common Question. Those who defend the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee often ask, "If these substances are abolished by man how can the large numbers of people who will be thrown out of employment be cared for?" The most obvious answer is that moral evil is never justified by economic good. It may also be answered that the money now expended for these injurious substances would more than care for the unemployed in a state of idleness. However, such a solution is not necessary. A redirection of effort would clearly be required. Other crops and activities would have to be found, and would soon develop. Men labor for bread; the tobacco road is not the only avenue that leads to food, clothing and shelter. In our farflung society, if the will were correctly directed, such changes would soon and effectively be accomplished. If civilization has built a false structure, civilization must remedy its faults. Moreover, a new age is dawning, in which the farmer, through cooperation with the manufacturer, will find new, sound markets for present crops and many more for all that he can produce.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Baker, Walter & Co., Cocoa and Chocolate, 1917.
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 1935.
Crichton-Browne, Sir James, What We Drink, 1930.
Cushing, A. R., Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 1928.
Fisher, I., and Fisk, E. L., How to Live, 1932.
Hutchinson, Food and Dietetics, 1914.
Kellogg, J. H., The New Dietetics, 1923.
Leeuwen, W. Storm van, Studien uber die Wirkung von Caffeine.
McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1933.
Oaks, L. W., Medical Aspects of the Word of Wisdom, 1929.
Schulte, R. W., Einfluss des Kaffees auf Koerper und Geist, 1929.
Wilcox, Materia Medica and Therapeutics.
Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men, 1935.
Wood, H. C., Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Toxicology, 1886.
Manual for Teaching the Effects of Alcohol, Stimulants and Narcotics Upon the Human Body, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, No. 11, 1933. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:9.
2. Johnson, J. H., A Voice from the Mountains, p. 12.
3. Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 90.
4. Improvement Era, 4:943.
5. Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 283.
6. Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men, 1935, p. 99.
7. American Journal of Physiology, 90:380, 1929.
8. Oaks, L. W., Medical Aspects of the Word of Wisdom, p. 102.
9. Kola contains as high as 2.00%, mate 1.25%, of caffeine.
10. Bayly, W. W., editor, What We Drink, 1930, pp. 18-19. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 8
FOOD CONSTITUENTS
"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." 1
Positive Instructions. The Word of Wisdom gives quite as many instructions as to what man shall do as to what he shall avoid, to secure and maintain health of body. These are the positive factors of this health law. It is more important to keep the body well nourished, thereby to prevent all unnatural cravings for injurious substances, than to try to cure injurious habits of food and drink once formed. "Prevention is better than cure."
One who is poorly nourished (and malnourishment may be the lot of one whose food is too rich or unbalanced as well as of one who is too poor to buy the necessary foods for health) is greatly tempted to ease the natural craving for the right nourishment with food or drink containing deceiving drugs, such as have been discussed in earlier chapters, and which give only temporary relief with injurious after effects. A well-nourished body is the best defense against an unnatural appetite.
It happens too often that those who have refrained all their lives from the things forbidden in the Word of Wisdom, suffer from grave maladies, all too prevalent today. This must be in part, at least, the result of failure to obey the positive instructions of the Word of Wisdom, whether done willfully or ignorantly. Nature has no favorites; those who break any of the laws of health must suffer the consequences. Only when all the laws indicated in the Word of Wisdom are kept may one claim in full the promised reward that "they shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones . . . . and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." 2 How many today may really claim these precious blessings? Conscientious study and application of this law of health, including its positive directions, will permit all to do so.
This does not mean that one should be always fussing about one's food or be conscious of every mouthful eaten. That would be a bore as well as an unhealthy attitude. It does mean that all should learn the best food practice and why certain foods are conducive to health or disease. One-third to one-half of the average family income is spent for food; it should purchase good health. If circumstances make it necessary to economize in food expenditures, it is all the more important that the money spent for food shall purchase the maximum value in the foods most necessary for growth and health. A taste for the right food may be cultivated and maintained as easily as a taste for that which is imperfect or injurious.
Scientific Confirmation. It is certainly faith-promoting to know that the latest findings within the field of nutrition, as reported in the most authoritative books, are in the main in strict accord with the teachings of the Word of Wisdom.
Reliable scientific knowledge is necessary if one is to be guided safely in this important subject. Feeding experiments with numerous foods are constantly being made, and new truths are gradually coming to light. Advancing science must be understood; then it may be shown to interpret the Word of Wisdom. It is so easy for "food fads" to creep in, and for "food quacks" to give instruction, unsupported by scientific facts, on the vital subject of food and health. On this as on all other subjects, the truth must be learned and practiced.
Necessity of Proof. Many agencies in most civilized countries are today investigating different phases of human nutrition. While many truths pertaining thereto are discovered from time to time, it is not wise to "jump at conclusions" or to accept blindly the unproven hypotheses of investigators.
Occasional statements are made by reputable scientists in opposition to some of the principles of the Word of Wisdom, but further study shows that they are not supported by well-established facts. Up to date nothing has been discovered to set at naught any truth taught in the Word of Wisdom, and if we may judge by the past, all statements made therein will in time be proved true. Members of the Church may feel safe in accepting all views concerning human welfare if and when they agree with the truths taught in this inspired document. New, well-substantiated discoveries in the field of nutrition are welcomed by Latter-day Saints and should be known by them. It is the duty of everyone to learn the facts concerning human nutrition as known today, to accept confirmed truth and to reject unfounded hypotheses, and to avoid all food fads. As new nutritional truth is discovered, it should be accepted and applied in the daily diet. It is not enough to have knowledge; one must apply and use knowledge if one would be wise.
Functions of Food. The first and most important function of food is to build and repair the tissues of which the body is composed. During the first year of life the body doubles or trebles its weight, and a gradual increase should go on to full maturity. During growth and thereafter comes wear and tear upon the body tissues from daily living. If the food is wholesome and sufficient, the body develops normally; if it is poor in quality or robbed of its vitality by being refined or "doctored" for commercial purposes, the body will probably be stunted or diseased; or both. The most obvious function of food is to supply the material needed for growth and the repair of worn out tissues.
Another function of food is to maintain body temperature. Food is burned within the body. Since blood temperature (98.6 F.) is many degrees higher than the air of an average day, it takes much energy to keep the heat of the body up to its requirement for health, especially during cold weather.
Yet another function that food performs is to furnish energy for work. Every act of life requires an expenditure of energy. The source of this energy is the food eaten. The body may be likened to a machine or engine, and the food to the fuel which feeds it. If the fuel is poor the fire burns low, in the body as in a furnace.
The Six Groups of Food Constituents. The constituents of foods are classified under the following headings: (1) proteins, (2) carbohydrates, (3) fats, (4) mineral salts, (5) vitamins, (6) water. One clever writer in this field, Mrs. Lulu Hunt Peters, has called them the "Food Sextette" which makes it easy to remember the different food classes.
(1) Proteins are the body-building foods, essential for growth and repair. They are found in meat, cheese, milk, grains (gluten or gluey substances) and vegetables. White of egg is the purest form of protein. Every day the body must have its full quota of protein foods, for the cells of the body are being constantly destroyed through the activities of life. These must be replaced if health is to continue. (see chapter 15) The amino acids which make up the natural proteins are composed of the elements hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen (the last, the characteristic element); some protein-building amino acids also contain sulphur.
(2) Carbohydrates include the starches and sugars of fruits, vegetables, and cereal grains. They are the energy or fuel foods which keep up the body temperature, and provide energy for all life processes, and for mental and physical work. The source of the fuel foods is mainly from the plant kingdom. (see chapter 12) Carbohydrates are composed of the elements hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
(3) Fats are energy foods like the carbohydrates, but are more concentrated. They are utilized to produce heat and to supply energy for work. They probably have other, more obscure functions, for if absent from food an intense craving for them ensues. In cold countries this need seems to be imperative, but is less in warmer climates. The most used fats are butter, meat and fish fats, and vegetable oils. Animal fats are most valuable because of their content of Vitamin A. (see chapters 10 and 12) Fats, like carbohydrates, are composed of the elements hydrogen, oxygen and carbon but are very different in constitution. A fat is composed of a fatty acid and glycerine. Some of the fatty acids found in natural fats, as for example in butter, appear to be indispensable to complete health.
(4) Mineral salts are the inorganic or non-combustible portions of food, the ash or residue which remains when food is burned. Their importance in the food cannot be overestimated, for they regulate most body processes. (see chapter 9)
(5) The vitamins are essential chemical substances present in minute quantities in many foods but in varying amounts. They act as body regulators, and promote reactions without which full nutrition is impossible. When vitamins are lacking in the diet the body becomes diseased and in time perishes. Vitamins are present in most natural, fresh foods, but may be partially or even totally lacking in certain refined or preserved, or dried foodstuffs. (see chapter 10)
(6) Water is the solvent of all foods and is a part of every living cell. It may be designated a food because of its importance as a regulating substance in nutrition. It is necessary for the blood, digestive juices, and for the processes of elimination.
Only when these six food constituents are present in the daily diet in correct proportions and suitable amounts can full health be expected. Such a well balanced diet must provide: Protein, for building and repairing tissues; Carbohydrates, for producing heat and energy; Fats, for producing heat and energy, and if containing certain fatty acids, to secure in a manner not yet well understood, the nutritive welfare of man; Minerals, for building bones, teeth, blood and for regulating body fluids; Vitamins, for promoting the assimilation of foods and giving vigor to body cells and membranes; Water, for the health of every living cell and for all life processes. All natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk and nuts, contain all these food constituents in varying amounts. They are the storehouses of nature's food wealth.
The positive instructions of the Word of Wisdom provide for this complete and balanced diet, as will be shown in the following chapters.
The essential thought remains, that to abstain from the things forbidden in the Word of Wisdom as injurious to health is not sufficient; it is equally important to partake of foods that build the body properly and meet bodily needs.
Men may heed the natural laws of life and live; or they may ignore or pervert them and suffer disease and finally perish. It is so written, and has been so proved throughout thousands of years of history.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Atwater, W., The Chemistry and Economy of Food, 1895.
Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition.
Eddy, W. H., Nutrition.
Kellogg, J. H., The New Dietetics, 1923.
Lusk, G., The Science of Nutrition, 1919.
McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1933.
McCollum, E. V., and Simmonds, N., The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition, 1925.
Rose, M. S., The Foundations of Nutrition, 1937.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934.
Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, 1937.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, 1934.
Stanley, L., and Cline, G. A., Foods, Their Selection and Preparation, 1935.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 88:118.
2. Doctrine and Covenants 89:18, 19. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 9
"OUT OF THE GROUND"
"That which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." 1
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;" 2
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." 3
"Dust Thou Art". This describes the body of man—not his soul. If a portion of "dust" or fertile soil be taken to the chemical laboratory and analyzed, it will be found to contain many elements, so-called, of which oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and iodine are among the best known by name, though there are other elements equally as much a part of the soil. It is from these and other necessary elements that the body of man is formed.
Under the influence of sunlight and soil moisture, plants feed upon the inorganic constituents of air and soil. From the air they take the gas known as carbon dioxide, which supplies the element carbon, the basis of the organic or combustible portion of plants. From the soil they take water and minerals, the latter incombustible and remaining in the ash when the plant is burned. The water is the solvent by means of which nutritive materials are carried from the soil to plants and from place to place within the plants. Part of the water combines, in the process known as photosynthesis, with the carbon taken from the air to form starch. This, in turn, combines with nitrogen and other elements to form protein and the great variety of substances occurring in plant structures. In all these transformations, resulting from plant growth, the mineral substances taken from the soil, "the dust of the earth", are indispensable. If mineral food is not available in suitable variety and quantity, the plant is stunted or fails to mature. In short, through the processes of plant growth, simple inorganic compounds are transformed into intricate and varied organic plant compounds and structures.
The complex body of man cannot use directly the elements of air and soil and is therefore dependent for its life and growth upon the substances prepared by the plant. Thus the elements of plant products—won in part from the soil—become incorporated into the body of the one who eats them. Indeed, the mineral substances necessary for life are in the main available to man only through the food which comes directly or indirectly from the plants and fruits of earth.
Composition of the Body. If the body of man be analyzed, the elements from which it is made are found to be those which exist in the air and in the soil, that is, the earth's crust. The following comparison between the composition of the human body and that of the earth's crust shows the close relationship existing between the body of man and "the dust of the earth"
Approximate Elementary Approximate Elementary Composition of the Earth's Composition of the Adult Crust with its Oceans and Human Body Atmosphere (Clarke)
Chemical Element Percent Chemical Element Percent
Oxygen .......... 65.0 Oxygen .......... 50.02
Carbon .......... 18.0 Carbon .......... 0.18
Hydrogen ........ 10.0 Hydrogen ........ 0.95
Nitrogen ........ 3.0 Nitrogen ........ 0.03
Calcium ......... 1.5 Calcium ......... 3.22
Phosphorus ...... 1.0 Phosphorus ...... 0.11
Potassium ....... 0.35 Potassium ....... 2.88
Sulphur ......... 0.25 Sulphur ......... 0.11
Sodium .......... 0.15 Sodium .......... 2.36
Chlorine ........ 0.15 Chlorine ........ 0.20
Magnesium ....... 0.05 Magnesium ....... 2.08
Iron ............ 0.004 Iron ............ 4.18
Manganese ....... 0.0003 Manganese ....... 0.08
Iodine .......... 0.00004 Silicon ......... 25.80 Copper,zinc, very minute Aluminum ........ 7.30 flourine, silicon, amounts Titanium ........ 0.43 (aluminum?) Fluorine ........ 0.10 Barium .......... 0.08 Others in lesser amounts.
The inorganic elements of air and soil are built by plants into forms suitable and necessary for the use of man. Thus, all life depends upon Mother Earth. In very deed man is made of the "dust" of the earth.
Effects of Soil Upon Plant Composition. Since the mineral constituents of plants are derived from the soil, it follows that the composition of the soil will measurably determine the quantities and relative amounts of these elements in plant tissues. Plants grown on soils rich in calcium generally contain relatively more calcium. Those grown on soils containing calcium in the available form of carbonate will contain more calcium than those grown on soils in which the calcium is in the less available form of silicates. It is so with all the other essential mineral plant foods.
This matter has been tested by the artificial application of different mineral foods to the soil and noting the effects upon the composition of the crops. It has been found possible by this means to change the relative amount and the quality of all crop constituents, protein, fats and carbohydrates, also to influence size, structure, quality, flavor, resistance to disease, and reproductive power, etc. Indeed, the presence of proper mineral food in the soil produces almost spectacular results in the size and flavor of crops grown, as well as their resistance to pests and various plant diseases. 4
Some soils contain mineral substances that may prove injurious to the animal body. Crops grown upon such soils are often valueless in animal nutrition. Recent investigation has shown large areas of land on which, for the above reasons, crops should not be grown for animal consumption.
Since the composition of the food eaten determines largely the effect upon the body, this subject becomes of prime nutritive interest. This whole field is somewhat new, but of vital importance. As it is explored, a new understanding of the relationship of foods to the place of origin will develop. Farmers in various localities will learn what substances to add to their soil to obtain health-giving crops.
Necessary Minerals in Foods. According to present knowledge, thirteen "mineral elements" are necessary for full health. There may be others, but if so, they are probably present in minute, though sufficient quantities in all natural foods, unless grown on impoverished soil. The mineral elements, now known to be necessary, are: Calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, sodium, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, chlorine, iodine, zinc and possibly cobalt.
The total mineral substances in the commonly used foods vary from a small fraction of one percent to five percent or more. The proportions of the essential minerals in the total are not the same. Unless the source of the food product is known, the amount and kind of minerals in it cannot be foretold.
A diet which contains amounts of any of the necessary elements below the daily requirement cannot maintain the body in good health. One element may not be substituted for another. Each one is essential. In most fertile soils all of these are present in sufficient quantities for plant production, though potassium, chlorine, calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine and copper must sometimes be added to the soil of certain regions for full plant production.
Drs. Greaves and Greaves and others have shown that the mineral composition of foods affect directly the composition of the body. In one experiment two kinds of wheat, one high-calcium, the other low-calcium, were fed. 5 In every instance the animals receiving the high-calcium wheat had more calcium and phosphorus in their bones, and more calcium and phosphorus in their blood. The relation of the mineral composition of foods to human health is a subject that should be given careful attention.
Minerals and Body Functions. Each of the essential elements promotes some life-functions. For example, calcium, which is of first and utmost importance, is found as the chief ingredient of bones and teeth. Dr. Henry C. Sherman states that:
"Calcium is in many ways the outstanding mineral element, both in the purely scientific study of the chemistry of nutrition and in the every day practical problem of meeting the nutritional needs of our own and our children's bodies. . . . To be normal and healthy the full-grown human body must be richer in calcium than in any other mineral element; yet every human being is born calcium-poor." 6
Calcium is essential to the activity of every cell of the body—and their number runs into the billions. It is necessary in the blood; without it the heart will not beat and the muscles will refuse to function properly. Its importance in bodily functions generally is most essential. The body demands more calcium than any other mineral element, and from birth to age one must make sure that the food eaten contains its full share of this mineral. Iron is needed by the blood to enable it to become purified by the oxygen of the air and is also otherwise used. Chlorine is needed in the blood for the same reason, and for others as well. Iodine is necessary for the health of the thyroid and other glands. So indeed are all the minerals essential for bodily well-being—each has a definite purpose and place in maintaining health.
This view is reiterated by all present day reliable scientific workers in the field of nutrition. 7 Much illness results from the lack of certain essential mineral elements in the food of man. One should be informed on this subject because of its vast importance in human diet.
A normal adult under average conditions of activity and diet excretes daily through the organs of elimination, 20 to 30 grams (about one ounce) of mineral salts as chlorides, phosphates, sulphates, etc. This loss must be made good through the daily food or the body suffers. 8 Indeed it is impossible to overestimate the importance of the mineral content of food.
Minerals and Psychological Attitudes. Psychological as well as physiological effects are conditioned upon the presence or absence of certain minerals in the food. A study made by Dr. Walter Timme of the Neurological Institute was reported in an address given before the New York Academy of Medicine. He stated that:
"Crossness, tiredness, misbehavior and all the other symptoms of problem cases, both child and adult, result when the blood has too little calcium."
When the supply of calcium is reduced:
"There is apparently a disturbing effect on the nerves and subsequent conduct of the individual who then misbehaves, showing inordinate fatigability, irritability of temper and at times even incorrigibility, non-amenability to discipline or even assaultiveness.
"Such cases are easily aroused to a high pitch of anger at the slightest provocation, a word, an insinuation or even a glance being sufficient to arouse intense antagonistic reaction. These patients became problem cases at home, at school or in whatever environment they found themselves. Occasionally, their behavior became so exaggerated that apparently hypomaniac states developed therefrom and several of these patients had to be confined in institutions until the symptoms were ameliorated. At home, a harsh word from any member of the family, at the table for instance, would result in a plate or knife or some other utensil being thrown at the aggressor. In school, a blow, a shout or a curse would be hurled at a fellow student or even at the teacher."
A shortage of this element seems to produce abnormal functions in the:
"Relationship of the glands and nerves which are responsible for many of the drug and alcohol habitues and the easily led characters among the criminal classes." 9
There is a definite relationship between the mineral content of the food and the healthy functioning of all glands and nerves. Parents and teachers should therefore be very sure that they themselves or their so-called "naughty children" are not innocent victims of mineral shortage and improper nutrition. Many cases of so-called "nervous collapse" in adults may have some such dietary lack as the primary cause.
Shortage of Minerals. Mineral shortage in the food predisposes to many conditions of disease. The part played by phosphorus, iron, iodine and other minerals is of as great importance as that of calcium. The lack of iron is first felt in the blood and is one cause of the disease anaemia. The lack of iodine is known to upset the normal activity of the thyroid gland producing the condition known as goitre in one of its many forms. Drs. McCollum and Orent found that magnesium also plays a vital role. If it be absent in the food of rats for eleven days it would cause death in the vast majority of them. They state that:
"When magnesium is omitted from the diet, calcium and phosphorus are drained out of the body so that not enough is left to make an X-Ray picture of the rat's skeleton." 10
Source of Minerals. Vegetables, grains and fruits form nature's storehouse of food minerals. If grown on fertile soils all the edible plants and vegetables usually contain, in varying proportions, all the minerals vital in maintaining bodily health. For example, vegetables rich in calcium are beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower,
CONTENT OF MINERAL ELEMENTS IN FOODS Other Foods Foods Rich In: Good for Foods Poor Mineral in Mineral Calcium Phosphorus Iodine Iron Salts Salts Milk Cheese Sea Foods Egg yolk Nuts Fat Pork Cheese Egg yolk Iodized Leafy Legumes Bacon Vegetables, Milk salt vege- Dried Lard and especially Meat Vegetables, tables fruits Suet leafy ones Whole fruits Meat, Fresh Butter Egg yolk grains and espe- fruits Salad Oil Whole grains cially and Sugars grains from liver vege- Confec- non- Whole tables tionery goiterous grains Purified regions starches White flour
parsnips and turnips; those rich in phosphorus are cauliflower, legumes and greens of all kinds, parsnips and potatoes; those rich in iron are legumes, nuts and nearly all greens, especially dandelion greens, spinach and cress. All grains, nuts and fruits are rich in minerals, especially in calcium, phosphorus and iron. Milk and eggs are rich in calcium and phosphorus, but poor in iron. Meat is rich in iron and phosphorus but poor in calcium. Onions are rich in iodine though sea foods are perhaps its best source. Since the proportions of minerals are not the same in all plants, the use of all edible vegetables is advisable to secure a full mineral ration.
Daily Supply of Minerals. To insure enough minerals in the diet, each adult should have daily, at least 1 pint of milk (children 1 quart), the liberal use of all vegetables in season, especially leafy ones (and always some of them raw in salads), "eggs or cheese frequently and meat occasionally but not all of them every day", the frequent use of sea foods, fresh or canned, if in a goiterous region, and the use of whole grain breads and cereals, especially for growing children. 11
A grave warning is given by students of this subject with respect to reproduction. When the food is impoverished in its mineral or vitamin content, miscarriage is apt to result even though the mother may remain in seeming health. This need is imperative and should be understood by all parents and future parents.
The Minerals Most Lacking. In the American and European diet the minerals most lacking are calcium, phosphorus, iron and iodine (in certain sections).
Most authorities agree that there is probably a greater lack of calcium than of any other chemical element. 12 Since milk is a ready source of calcium it has been said that to be unable to take milk is a dietetic tragedy! There should be an ample supply of green leafy vegetables as well.
In the sections of the country where iodine is lacking in the soil (and the Great Basin of North America and portions of the Rocky Mountain area are two such sections), the food should contain some supplemental source of iodine. The American Medical Association's Committee on Foods has approved iodized salt for general use. Most scientific opinion agrees that iodized salt can be safely used and is a convenient means of meeting the nutritional need of iodine. 13 This advice is for normal people; those with an abnormal thyroid gland should use iodine only on the advice of a reliable physician.
One should study the subject of food minerals and be wise in applying it to the personal and family food supply.
The Teeth as an Index. Mineral starvation is felt throughout the entire body and character, as indicated, but it shows itself definitely in the structure and composition of the teeth. It is most important that the pregnant mother shall have foods that contain the necessary minerals, else the babe comes into life with a severe handicap. Few people realize that the first set of teeth begins to form during the fourth month of pregnancy, and is completely formed at birth, though embedded in the jaws. Also, that during the seventh month of pregnancy, the foundations are laid for the second or permanent set of teeth. If the mother does not get her full quota of calcium and other minerals in her food, nature provides that the child shall rob the mother—hence the frequent experience of women's tooth trouble during pregnancy. These truths apply to the child's and mother's bony structure as well as to the teeth.
Teeth are an index of correct feeding. It is not enough to keep them clean and visit the dentist often—though that is certainly desirable—yet if the teeth are not properly nourished by wholesome food of full mineral and vitamin content they will decay in spite of the very best dental care. Savages and "nature people" do not know what a tooth brush is, yet they have hard, white, solid teeth—until they begin to use civilized man's food. Then they, too, have the experience of tooth decay as do the white men. Our forefathers had little need of dentists or tooth pastes.
Acid and Alkaline Foods. The question of minerals in the diet concerns also the acid or alkaline reactions of the body fluids. The ash that remains when plant or animal substances are burned in the laboratory contains the mineral matter of the foods. This ash may be acid or alkaline in its reaction, depending on the predominance of acid-or base-forming substances, in turn depending on the kind of food eaten. Organic substances are also formed during metabolic processes which, if acid, may be neutralized by alkaline mineral substances. Therefore, whether foods are to be classified as acid-forming or base-forming (alkaline)—a matter of great importance—depends in part upon the nature of the mineral matter in the food. The blood must be kept just on the alkaline side, for then it is conceded to be most resistant to infections and other unnatural conditions.
The dangers from eating too freely of acid-forming foods are two fold. First, the kidneys are overworked when required to handle too many of the acid by-products of digestion; second, the calcium carbonate of the bones and teeth as well as the basic substances of the tissues are attacked in neutralizing acids that may predominate in the body. Thus, acid-forming foods may in reality rob, not nourish the body. Another reason for keeping the body on the alkaline side is that then the food minerals are less likely to be excreted and are more completely utilized in the processes of metabolism. It has been found also that neither muscles nor nerves will perform their work properly unless bathed in tissue fluids which contain ample mineral constituents in their proper proportions. Indeed, the possession of the much prized vim, vigor and vitality seems to depend as much upon the maintenance of the "alkali reserve" of the body as upon the presence of ample vitamin B. 14 Yet it must be understood that there must be "balance" in the body; it is as dangerous to have the food too alkaline as too acid. All food must be eaten with understanding and in moderation.
The alkaline, or base-forming foods are: most fruits and vegetables (especially beans, spinach, beets, carrots, parsnips, and white potatoes,) nuts, raisins, and milk. 15 The following foods have been found to be very efficient in reducing body acidity: Apples, bananas, melons, citrus fruits and potatoes. From fruits and vegetables should be chosen the bulk of the food in order to keep the body chemically right, for they are important sources of necessary minerals and vitamins.
Acid-forming foods are: eggs, meat, poultry, fish (especially oysters and other shell fish), bread of all kinds, including crackers, macaroni, spaghetti and noodles, cereals, rice, pastry of all kinds and especially candy and sweets. This list also includes tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate. It may be noted that very often the acid-forming foods form the greater portion of the modern dietary. Health may be seriously impaired thereby if the practice is long continued, for the body functions best when the alkaline-forming foods predominate.
Acid fruits such as citrus fruits are sometimes avoided for fear that they may cause "acidity". This is not the case, for when digested and used by the body they leave an alkaline residue which is distinctly acid-reducing, and helps to neutralize the acid residues of protein and other acid-formers. For this reason many people have found that "a lemon a day keeps the doctor away"—taken with plenty of water, of course. All citrus fruits are valuable alkalinizers as well as being rich sources of vitamin C. In many cases where people suffer from nettlerash from eating certain fruits, it has been found that these fruits could be eaten more freely if wholemeal bread and flour and other foods which contain more minerals, were substituted for the highly refined foods. 16
The practice of the principles indicated in the Word of Wisdom provides all the necessary mineral elements necessary for full health.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 1935.
Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition.
Hartwell, B. L., Influence of Fertilizers on Crop Quality, 1932.
MacLeod, and Nason, Chemistry and Cookery.
McCollum, E. V., Recent Advances in Nutritional Research, 1937.
McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1934.
Mitchell, H. H., and McClure, F. J., Mineral Nutrition of Farm Animals, 1937.
Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins.
Rose, M. S., Foundations of Nutrition, 1927.
Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, 1937.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, 1934.
Science Supplement, Oct. 18, 1929 and Nov. 8, 1929.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:16.
2. Genesis 2:7, 8, 9.
3. Ibid., 1:29.
4. Hartwell, Influence of Fertilizers on Crop Quality, 1932. Read also article by Rex Beach in Hearst's International-Cosmopolitan for June, 1936 and quoted in Reader's Digest for January, 1937.
5. Greaves, J. E. and E. O., Nutrition Value of High and Low Calcium Carrying Wheat, 1933; Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 6, No. 2.
6. Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, 1934, pp. 89-100, Macmillan Company.
7. McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, chapter 10, 1934.
8. Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, 1937, p. 244.
9. Science, Supplement, Oct. 18, 1929. Undoubtedly with a mineral shortage as quoted, there would be other factors of malnutrition present.
10. Science, Supplement, Nov. 8, 1929.
11. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 174-198, 1935.
12. Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, 1937, p. 279; Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, 1934, p. 93.
13. Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, 1937, p. 344.
14. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 98, 189, 192.
15. McCollum and Becker, Food, Nutrition and Health, pp. 113, 114.
16. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, p. 80. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 10
"ALL WHOLESOME HERBS"
"And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." 1
Definition of "Herbs". The word "herb" was frequently used a century ago to include plants and vegetables, direct products of the soil. The dictionary defines it to be: "a plant that dies completely, or down to the ground, after flowering". Also, "an herbaceous plant used medicinally". As used in the Word of Wisdom it was undoubtedly meant to include all plants the use of which is good for man. The modifying words "all wholesome" indicate that all edible vegetables and fruits of earth are included in the term; they also indicate that some "herbs" are not fitted to be used as food.
Composition of Vegetables and Fruits. It was shown early in the history of plant science, but after the Word of Wisdom was received, that plants contained all of the necessary food substances: Proteins (flesh-formers), fats, starches and other carbohydrates, minerals and water. Much later, as will be shown, it was discovered that the plant kingdom is the best source of the sixth necessary group of food substances, vitamins.
Water is present in large proportions in most vegetables. Young plants often contain more than 90% of water—that is above the proportion in whole milk.
The proportion of the necessary food substances varies greatly in different plants. The mineral content depends on the composition of the soil where plants are grown. Therefore, to secure the best results, vegetables should be so selected as to insure a balanced diet. This requires a knowledge of the composition of the vegetables usually consumed. The following tables show the proximate composition of the edible portions of a few well-known vegetables and fruits:
COMPOSITION OF VEGETABLES
Carbohydrates Calories Water Protein Fat Ash Total Fibers Sugars Starch per lb.
Asparagus .. 93.0 2.2 0.2 0.67 3.9 0.7 1.24 0.4 120
Lima Beans . 66.5 7.5 0.8 1.71 23.5 1.5 595
Soy Beans .. 64.7 12.4 6.3 2.2 14.4 2.2 325
Red Beets .. 87.6 1.6 0.1 1.11 9.6 0.9 205
Cabbage .... 92.4 1.4 0.2 0.75 5.3 1.0 3.5 130
Carrots .... 88.2 1.2 0.3 1.02 9.3 1.1 7.5 205
Celery ..... 93.7 1.3 0.2 1.08 3.7 0.7 1.25 100
Onions ..... 87.5 1.4 0.2 0.58 10.3 0.8 6.7 0.5 220
Potatoes ... 77.8 2.0 0.1 0.99 19.1 0.4 0.87 14.7 385
(From "Proximate Composition of Fresh Vegetables," Charlotte Chatfield and Georgean Adams, Circular 146, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture)
Some vegetables used for human food contain a considerable proportion of starch. Fruits, on the other hand, contain little starch but relatively much sugar. Most fruits also contain small quantities of organic acid. (Malic acid indicated by "m" and citric acid indicated by "c" in the following table.)
It is evident that vegetables and fruits contain all the necessary food substances, and that they are rich in minerals. They are also the best sources of all vitamins. It is now conceded that vegetables and fruits are of first importance in maintaining full health.
COMPOSITION OF FRUITS
Carbohydrates Calories Water Protein Fat Ash Total Fiber Sugars Acid per lb.
Apples..... 84.1 0.3 0.04 0.29 14.9 1.0 11.1 0.47m 290
Apricots ... 85.4 1.0 0.10 0.59 12.9 0.6 10.4 1.19m 255
Bananas .... 74.8 1.2 0.2 0.84 23.0 0.6 19.2 .39m 445
Oranges .... 87.2 0.9 0.2 0.47 11.2 0.6 8.65 .78c 230
Peaches .... 86.9 0.5 0.1 0.47 12.0 0.6 8.78 .64m 230
Pears ...... 82.7 0.7 0.4 0.39 15.8 1.4 8.90 .29c 315
Strawberries 90.0 0.8 0.6 0.50 8.1 1.2 5.27 1.09c 185
Watermelons .92.1 0.5 0.2 0.27 6.9 0.6 6.00 .03m 140
(From "Proximate Composition of Fresh Fruit," Charlotte Chatfield and Laura I. McLaughlin, Circular 50, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)
The Provident Earth. The great Builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food; some furnish one predominating food element, some another, each filling some need of the human structure, each contributing to man's complete well-being. All vegetables and fruits have drawn upon the "dust of the earth", have combined the necessary mineral elements so that when eaten by man they may become a part of his body structure, as bricks in a wall, or as promoters of proper metabolism, to secure his health.
Variety Necessary. Man should partake in plenty of all edible fruits and vegetables. It is a mistake for a normal person to say: "I don't like this vegetable or that", and refuse to eat it. Children should be taught from the weaning period to eat and enjoy all the different kinds of vegetables (prepared in milk soups at first), so that their bodies may grow in bone strength and nerve tone as well as in size. This practice should be encouraged in adults as well, for all have need of the nutritive value of fruits and vegetables. One should insist that every vegetable to be found in the market forms some part of a week's food supply.
Many delicious vegetables grown in other countries would add greatly to the American diet, such as the kohl-rabi (a variety of cabbage which grows like a turnip, but above the ground) used largely on the continent of Europe. Rutabagas are among the most valuable vegetables grown but are not used as they deserve. One should be familiar with and help create a demand for all kinds of vegetables. The farmers will produce what people call for. It is a great pity for an individual, a family or a nation, to confine its taste to two or more vegetables. Meat, potatoes and cabbage (or sprouts or cauliflower) may make a good meal occasionally, but served every day they produce a very one-sided diet. Dr. Mottram says:
"We have all met and hated the persons who, with a tone of conscious rectitude and insufferable worth, assure us that they "never touch" some specified food. It is a dietetic vice, not a virtue, to exclude things from your diet." 2
The chief special value of fruit and vegetables in the diet is that they contain the valuable mineral salts and vitamins (see chapters 9 and 11). For this reason they greatly stimulate appetite and digestion; they produce vigor and resistance to disease; the regulating effect of the acid-alkaline reactions on the body function is increased, and partly because of their fiber and roughage they promote intestinal health and hence the well-being of the entire body.
Fruits are of further value because of their appetizing quality. Their varied color, aroma and flavor make them most stimulating to the senses of sight and smell as well as taste. As is well known, food which appeals to the senses becomes more appetizing and thus actually aids digestion. Insipidity is an actual, physiological defect in food. The vitamins, salts and juices of fruits stimulate the flow of gastric juice and with the indigestible fiber directly aid the peristaltic action of the intestinal muscles.
Most fruits should be eaten raw, fully ripe, and "in the season thereof", for reasons explained in chapter 11. Fruits and vegetables should be eaten in liberal amounts by young and old, and with grain products should form the bulk of the human dietary.
Live and Learn. Some one may object and say: "Well, our forefathers did not have all these fancy varieties of food, yet they fared pretty well." Did they? Could they have fared better? It is a fact that in the good old days in some countries flocks and herds formed the bulk of the people's food; in the autumn the animals which couldn't be fed over the winter were killed and their flesh salted, smoked or otherwise preserved. But in those good (?) old days, periodic ravages of sickness and death swept the land like a devastating fire. Scurvy was so prevalent in London that it was called "London disease". And who has not heard of the great plagues of history, the hideous "black death," cholera, and countless others? We are now beginning to understand that not a few of these diseases had their origin in wrong food and other faulty habits of life.
It is interesting to know how mankind generally has learned to eat. The custom of eating green salads was introduced into England by Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish wife of Henry VIII. She imported a Dutch gardener, as salad-growing in England at that time was an unknown art. Up to the present day green salads have never been as popular in Britain as on the Continent or in America, though their use is increasing.
Sir Walter Raleigh is supposed to have introduced the potato plant into England in Elizabethan times, but it was a much later date before potatoes were extensively used for human food. For generations after their introduction they were looked upon as pig food and were eaten only by people who were too poor to buy other foods. Likewise, today many first-class vegetables used in America are unknown in Europe and vice versa. 3
In such manner have food customs developed; and by using knowledge it may be possible to improve the diet and eventually to help stamp out disease.
Cooking of Vegetables. Many vegetables may be eaten raw as salads with profit to the teeth as well as the general health. Such are lettuce, cress, cabbage, carrots, celery, young peas, turnips, rutabagas and many others. The root vegetables may be cut very fine or grated. In this manner may the necessary elements of earth come to man in their purity.
Most starchy foods taste better and are more easily digested when cooked, but the cooking should be done in such a way that the mineral and other nutritive elements are not destroyed or thrown away. Much of the mineral content of fruits and some vegetables is found near the skin; for that reason, if possible, the skin should be eaten. Especially is this true of the potato which should never be peeled but either baked and the skins eaten, or boiled with the skins on, then mashed or riced if desired, and the cooking water used in soups.
Vegetables should not be allowed to soak in water, for their minerals and vitamins are usually soluble, and thus wasted in the water commonly thrown away; neither should the cooking water when vegetables are boiled, be thrown away, for the same reason. One writer has said that if kitchen sinks and garbage cans had hearts and lungs they would be the best fed animals in captivity! The solutions obtained when vegetables are cooked should be saved and served with the vegetables or used for sauces or soups.
Vegetables should be prepared only when ready to use; soaking should be unnecessary. If cut fine most vegetables will cook in from 5 to 20 or 30 minutes. Care must be taken not to overcook them as this destroys their vitamins as well as changes their delicate flavor. They should be cooked with a minimum of water, or better cooked in a double boiler, or the waterless way, and the whole served together. Familiar to every one are the sloppy, tasteless, colorless vegetables of the average cook which often look to be a "tangle of brown weeds and they will taste like vegetable matter spread on paper and horsehair." 4 Alas, this description fits the cooking of vegetables in many homes and hotels. It is not to be wondered at that most children and many adults dislike vegetables, for they are often so poorly cooked that their natural flavor is changed beyond recognition.
In contrast are the properly cooked peas, beans, spinach or asparagus which resemble little bunches of jade-green goodness as delicious as a breath of fresh clean air. Each vegetable has a distinct flavor and when properly cooked should be enjoyed as a real epicurean delight. They ought to be so well cooked that, as in France, they may serve as a delicious course by themselves rather than as negligible additions to the meal.
Soda should never be used in the cooking of vegetables for it destroys the vitamins and makes the food tasteless. 5 If cooked quickly with little or no water, all vegetables will retain both flavor and color.
Roughage in Vegetables. It is necessary to have bulk and indigestible material in food to promote normal peristalsis of the alimentary tract and evacuation of the bowels. "This is true for all normal people over nine months of age." 6 Such a prevention or cure of the bug-bear of "stasis" in the large intestine or constipation should come from natural foods.
The tables near the beginning of this chapter show that fruits and vegetables contain relatively large proportions of cellulose, or crude fiber. This does not dissolve to any large extent in the alimentary tract, but serves the important purpose of furnishing bulk, which together with vitamin B (see chapter 11) is necessary to overcome the common and serious ailment of constipation. (see chapter 13)
The Question of Fat. The value in the diet of the fats of the plant and animal kingdom must not be overlooked. Edible fats and oils are valuable energy foods, and perform other distinct functions in nutrition. Recent researches show that one or more of the fatty acids which are normal constituents of natural fats, such as butter, are actually indispensable in complete nutrition. Linoleic acid, for example, is reported by McCollum and Becker to be necessary for an adequate diet. 7 A chief value of fats is the warmth yielded when burned in the body; hence their direct need in cold regions. Secondly, they tend to delay the rate of digestion, which results in a feeling of well-being and satisfaction, since pangs of hunger are felt when the stomach is empty. On the other hand when fat is mixed with protein or starch it may become a menace for it takes as long as six hours before the stomach is emptied. Fats further add much to the flavor of different foods. The yellow animal fats also contain vitamin A which is necessary for complete nutrition. The fact that fats generally have 2 1/4 times as much fuel value as sugars and starches indicates that they must be used with intelligence.
Except in the coldest climates the fat in the diet must always be balanced with starch and sugar. That is, fats should be eaten in a definite ratio with carbohydrate foods. Without such balance the fat is incompletely burned, which gives rise to injurious substances known as acetone bodies. This condition causes a feeling of nausea, or general illness, and may induce the so-called bilious attack. The "morning sickness" of pregnancy is largely a result of this disturbed balance. During pregnancy, fats should be confined if possible to those containing vitamin A, and starches and "sweets" should be increased in moderation. During the nursing period, however, starches and sweets as well as fats should be curtailed in the mother's diet and the mineral and vitamin bearing foods increased. 8
There are other disadvantages in a too free use of fat in the diet. Its digestion, which is not affected by the gastric juice, must wait until it passes out of the stomach. The slow emptying of the stomach may aggravate or even cause the fermentation of starchy and sweet foods and the putrefaction of protein foods. The fat forms a coating over the starch or protein particles, which is penetrated by the digestive juices with difficulty. This, in the presence of the warmth and moisture of the alimentary tract, also favors fermentation and putrefactive changes. Therefore, pastry and rich foods which are mixtures of fat and starch or sweets are always difficult of digestion. Excessive use of fats leads to indigestion and liver trouble. Another factor is that, with the exception of butter and the yellow animal fats, they lack vitamins, mineral salts and fiber. Vegetable oils, bacon and lard contain no vitamins.
A warning must also be given regarding the use of fried foods. When brought to a high temperature some of the fat is apt to be broken down into substances irritating to the alimentary tract. If properly cooked, fried foods may be eaten in moderation. However, they should be left out of the diet of children altogether. Butter and cream, the yellow fats of meat, with a minimum of salad oil, should form the chief supply of fat in the diet.
Vegetarianism. A discussion of vegetables and fruits as foods would not be complete without a comment on vegetarianism. Modern research has shown as already indicated that all of the necessary food constituents are found in plants. From that point of view, vegetarianism should be practicable. However, studies of the protein or flesh-forming constituents of plant and animal foods, point to the conclusion that it may be desirable to include some animal protein—milk, eggs, meat—in the human dietary. This conforms to the dictum in the Word of Wisdom that meat may be used sparingly.
In fairness, it must be said that many vegetarians have lived well and happily to a ripe old age. The possibility of subsisting wholly on non-animal products cannot be denied. Man may live entirely upon the products of the soil, and do effective work and attain a high age. But such a diet is probably inadvisable for one who does hard physical work, unless the vegetable proteins are chosen carefully and wisely.
The suggestion has been made that the capacity of the human stomach makes it difficult to supply the body with the necessary protein from somewhat bulky vegetables. However, the legumes and the grains contain as much protein per pound as meat, though in all probability vegetable proteins are less rapidly digested than meat proteins.
Whether vegetarianism is successful depends no doubt upon the intelligent skill with which vegetable food products are selected and combined in the human dietary.
However, for temperate and cold climates, most nutrition experts agree that meat, used sparingly, should be included in the human dietary.
The Word of Wisdom Confirmed. When the Word of Wisdom was given in 1833, plant chemistry had scarcely been born. A number of plants had been studied for the medicinal, stimulating or toxic substances they contained. There was no certain knowledge at the time that all the substances necessary for the maintenance of life were found in plants, except as certain vegetarians had succeeded in living on a wholly vegetarian diet. A number of years after the revelation was received, it was demonstrated by scientific methods that all known substances required for the nutrition of the animal body were found in varying proportions in all plants, and that plants might therefore be used for human food unless they contained in addition, injurious substances, as for example, caffeine in the coffee bean. Moreover it was shown that fruits and vegetables are of chief value in maintaining human health. This was in direct confirmation of the statement in the Word of Wisdom that "all wholesome herbs are ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man." The Word of Wisdom is again confirmed by science.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Alcott, W. A., Vegetable Diet, 1849.
Baily, Food Products, Their Source, Chemistry and Use, 1928.
Berg, Ragnor, Alltaegliche Wunder, 1929.
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness.
Chittenden, R. H., Physiological Economy in Nutrition, 1904.
Cornaro, L., The Art of Living Long (Butler Edition).
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Eddy, W. H., Nutrition, 1928.
Hindhede, M., Fuldkommen Sundhed, 1934.
Lefevre, Jules, A Scientific Investigation Into Vegetarianism.
Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family.
Sansum, W. D., The Normal Diet, 1930.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:10, 16.
2. Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family, footnote on p. 17, Nisbet and Co.
3. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, p. 2.
4. Bogert, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 115.
5. Eddy, W. H., Nutrition, p. 190, 1928; Rose, M. S., The Foundations of Nutrition, p. 288
6. Mottram, Food and The Family, p. 76.
7. McCollum, E. V. and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1933, pp. 5 and 8.
8. Davis, Adele, Optimum Health, 1936, p. 103; Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family, 1928, pp. 18-19, 70-71. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 11
"IN THE SEASON THEREOF"
"Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof." 1
The Lesson of History. The above statement implies definitely that man should add to his dietary fresh foods, as they come from nature's laboratory—"in the season thereof." Evidently there was some good reason for the statement, but until the last few decades the scientific explanation was not known.
Throughout the long ages of history, man has unconsciously made of his body an experimental laboratory for testing the values of the variety of foods. It has been found that people to whom food has been plentiful with fresh food available have lived long and well; while others—those traveling at sea, for instance, or in overpopulated lands—have suffered the ravages of incomplete nutrition, with many resulting diseases.
A few generations ago mariners discovered that the eating of "fresh" foods, especially lemons, prevented the dread disease scurvy, though they did not know why. More recently, as men found that foods when refined could be stored and transported over long distances without spoiling, certain other diseases have developed. In Japan where the diet is now chiefly polished rice, a form of nerve disease and general paralysis has become more and more prevalent. Recently it has been found that if fed the "polishings" of the rice before the disease was too far advanced, it could be cured. If this were not done, death would ensue. 2
Then, scientists began to investigate the subject thoroughly so that these observations might be understood. It was found that if man tries to live only on refined foods, commercially prepared, he soon becomes subject to disease and death. If he adds to his diet natural foods, as they come from Mother Earth, he may live long and be strong.
It is now known that there are substances in fresh foods which, if present, bring health and, if absent, cause disease and ultimate death. These vital substances have been named vitamins. This was a major discovery of modern nutritional science; one that confirms fully the doctrine of the Word of Wisdom that fruits and vegetables should be eaten "in the season thereof".
Vitamins. These are a group of chemical entities which act as body regulators, the composition of which is now becoming known. They are chemical compounds, not living things, produced in plants; when found in animals they have been stored, sometimes with certain modifications, from plant food. They act in the body much as the substances known as catalysts act in chemical reactions: They hasten changes merely by their presence. In other words, vitamins seem to make it possible for the constituents of foods to nourish properly every part of the body and to secure normal action of the organs of the body; when not present the body may not function properly. They are essential for the complete utilization of the mineral salts so necessary in maintaining complete well-being.
At present six vitamins are known to have distinct physiological functions. These are designated as vitamins A, B, or B1, C, D, E, and G or B2. As experiments continue and discoveries multiply, others may be found, or it may be shown that what is now considered a single vitamin is in reality two or more, each with specific functions.
The existence of these definite substances in foods and their need in complete nutrition cannot longer be doubted or ignored. Numerous experiments in well equipped nutrition laboratories throughout all civilized countries have determined the definite functions and distinct properties of these health preservers. While vitamins form only one of several factors of good diet, their presence is an absolute essential, and should be understood by all who desire abundant health. They are necessary for promoting growth, for preventing various infections, for stimulating the health of nerves and glands, for maintaining normal heart action and circulation, for preventing constipation with its train of bodily ills, for the normal functioning of reproduction and lactation, and undoubtedly for many other physiological needs.
Much of the present-day knowledge concerning the action of the different vitamins has been gained through experiments on small, laboratory animals, the life cycle of which is so brief that certain effects of diet, on many generations, may be observed during a relatively short time. Pigeons, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs are used, but the rat is the most common laboratory animal, since it eats the same kind of food as man (if obtainable) and is subject to most of the diseases that afflict man. The determination of right and wrong diets for human beings has been and is being greatly aided by the many nutrition laboratories of this and other countries, in which not only chemical studies, but actual feeding experiments have been conducted and are still in progress.
Naturally, it is inexpedient to experiment with human beings until preliminary studies have been made on the lower animals. Nevertheless, in many instances men have volunteered for feeding experiments, and in countless other cases have been involuntary subjects of nutritional experiments.
All vitamins are of equal importance in the diet, and one may not be substituted for another as is often done with different foods. If any one of the vitamins is absent from the food supply for a brief period, or if there is even a shortage of them, a serious physiological deficiency results. If one were omitted entirely, death would ensue in a short time. Each one should be taken in the food every day, for most of them cannot be stored for any length of time. The absence of vitamins may not be the only cause of the so-called deficiency diseases, but it is one of the chief contributing causes.
In communities where good natural food is available, deficiency diseases are rare. They are often associated with poverty; but unfortunately they are also common today amongst all classes because the food used by many careless or uninformed modern civilized people yields a shortage, in greater or lesser degree, of the different vitamins and minerals. This is too often due to ignorance of the facts of nutrition, as well as to an unnatural or perverted appetite; or to the desire of unscrupulous persons to profit by sales of devitalized foods.
At present the specific function of most of the vitamins is known, with an increasing understanding of their role in life processes. Their function is no longer one of mystery or guesswork, but is a demonstrated, accepted scientific fact. 3 Some of them have been isolated and studied chemically as well as physiologically; a few have been artificially prepared in the laboratory. International vitamin standards and units have been formulated and accepted, and most natural foods have been listed as to their vitamin content.
Vitamin A. This is sometimes called the anti-infective vitamin, for it contributes to the health of the entire mucous membrane, lining all body cavities—such as the eye, nose, sinus, mastoid antrum, middle ear, throat, lungs, alimentary canal, gall bladder, kidneys, and all other internal parts of the body. 4 When a sufficient quantity of vitamin A is taken in the food the power of this membrane to withstand the onslaught of the myriad harmful bacteria which are everywhere present is increased and one is said to possess a high resistance to disease. In the absence or shortage of vitamin A, disease germs may more easily gain a foothold in some part of this lining surface and there do their deadly work.
One of the first evidences of the lack of this vitamin in the young is the stunted body due to loss of full power of growth, together with an increased susceptibility to colds and other infections. Under a definite shortage of vitamin A, any susceptible organ of the body, especially the lungs and eyes, may prove the "weak spot" and furnish the breeding ground for harmful bacteria. A prolonged shortage will cause the eyes to become inflamed, resulting in the disease, xerophthalmia, and if not checked, actual blindness may ensue. One is also susceptible to pneumonia and other lung disorders where there is a lack of vitamin A. While a shortage of this vitamin is most serious for the young whose bodies are in the process of growth, yet the adult is also in danger from its lack.
The precursor of vitamin A is carotene which is widely distributed especially in yellow and green plants. From this the animal makes vitamin A which is stored in its own fats and liver. Vitamin A is soluble in fat, and was at first called "fat-soluble A".
The best sources, therefore, are fish liver oils, fresh butter or cream, egg fat, egg yolk (where cows and chickens have been fed on green food), kidney, the yellow fats of animals, and the green and yellow vegetables and fruits. However, spinach has been found to contain three times as much vitamin A as butter; while escarole, kale and parsley contain even more than spinach. Other "greens" such as turnip and beet tops, chard and dandelion greens are quite as good as spinach. These vegetables as well as broccoli, carrots, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cress, and raw cabbage, are greatly needed in the diet, because of their vitamin A and mineral content. Apricots are especially good. It is easy to remember that yellow animal fats, yellow fruits and yellow and green vegetables are generally good sources of Vitamin A. The vegetable fats, olive, almond, cottonseed oils, and vegetable margarine are deficient in vitamin A. Animal margarine may contain it, but if margarine is eaten it should be guaranteed to contain an adequate amount of vitamin A.
When any fat is allowed to become rancid, the vitamin is destroyed.
If foods containing this vitamin are heated in the presence of air, or with soda, vitamin A is destroyed; in the absence of air it is injured less, unless heated too long or under pressure, as in the pressure cooker.
An excess of this vitamin need not be feared, for it may be stored in the body for future use—witness the fish-livers which contain vitamin A, obtained by the fish from the eating of green marine plants. One nutrition authority has estimated that thirty times more of this vitamin than is generally taken would add greatly to general human health and resistance to disease. Especially is this true for children.
Vitamin B or B1. Vitamin B and also vitamins C and G are soluble in water and are therefore spoken of occasionally as "water-soluble vitamins" (see vitamin G). Vitamin B seems to have the power of keeping the nerves of the body normal so that they may function properly. Since it is necessary for the promotion of nerve health, it tends to prevent nerve diseases and is therefore often called the anti-neuritic vitamin.
The chief functions of vitamin B in the diet are to stimulate the appetite, to improve the assimilation of food by strengthening the nerves, to build muscle tone throughout the entire alimentary tract, to strengthen the heart and improve the circulation, and to increase resistance to nervous diseases. It is also active in stimulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, for where vitamin B is lacking, sugar tolerance is lowered and glucose and lactic acid in the tissues are increased. 5 One of its important functions is to aid normal reproduction and to increase the power of mothers to nurse their young. Its close relationship to the nutritional welfare of the child before and after birth makes it essential in the mother's food during pregnancy and the period of lactation. One reason why young mothers today are unable to nurse their babies as did their grandmothers is probably because of the shortage of this vitamin in the refined foods of the day.
Clearly, vitamin B is a substance of tremendous value in the preservation of human health. Indeed it is impossible to overestimate the need of diets containing an ample supply of vitamin B.
Countless experiments on animals, and experience with human beings, prove that a deficiency of vitamin B in the food causes some of the most serious and common ills with which modern man is afflicted. Its definite and prolonged shortage causes the dread disease beri-beri which is so common in the Orient and wherever people live on white refined foods. Its complete absence causes paralysis and in a short time death ensues. Dr. Plimmer, professor of chemistry in the University of London, says:
"This disease occurs mainly amongst the rice-eating peoples of the East, but it has also developed in Australia, the United States, Europe, and many other parts of the world. It is not confined to the tropics, nor to rice-eaters. There are many examples of the occurrence of beri-beri in countries in which white flour is the staple cereal food. It has also been observed in parts of Brazil where manioc or tapioca is the chief food. All kinds of white carbohydrate foods are concerned in the causation of beri-beri." 6
People with a vitamin B shortage are often afflicted with nervous instability, neuralgia and neuritic pains. Stomach ulcers, appendicitis, and rheumatoid arthritis are also associated with a definite shortage of vitamin B. Dr. Plimmer states that:
"A variety of chronic diseases start with constipation and a lowered resistance to infection. Rowlands had evidence that chronic rheumatoid arthritis owed its origin to the passage of 'bacillus coli' into the tissues through the degenerated wall of the intestine consequent upon a long continued slight shortage of vitamin B in the ordinary diet." 7
". . . It is erroneous to conclude that there is plenty of vitamin B1, in the diet of Europeans because the paralysis, regarded as typical of beri-beri is seldom seen. Indigestion, constipation, colitis, headache, anaemia, unhealthy skin, subnormal temperature, endocrine insufficiency, heart trouble, which McCarrison associated with shortage of vitamin B1, are all such common ailments as to suggest that the majority of people suffer from a shortage of this vitamin." 8
The increasing prevalence of constipation and diseases of the alimentary tract are definite evidences of a shortage of vitamin B in the modern diet. The increasing sales of cathartics and laxatives attest the same fact. Dr. McCollum is authority for the statement that in 1923 over fifty million dollars were spent in the United States for cathartic drugs. This expenditure is increasing greatly year by year. 9 Thus while civilized man is refining and devitalizing much of his foodstuffs, (using the valuable parts, those containing the vitamins and minerals, for animal feed) he is purchasing tons of agaragar from Oriental countries to supplement the deficiency. The tragedy is that his health suffers more than his pocketbook (see chapters 10 and 13).
How few there are who have not suffered from some form of these "ills of civilization". The cause may be definitely associated with a devitalized food supply and a failure to watch the mineral and vitamin needs of the body. 10
Vitamin B is found where there is to be new life, in seeds, especially in the germ of wheat and in yeast; also in bran, middlings, dried peas, beans, lentils, all whole meal flours and cereals, whole rice, egg yolk, whole fresh milk, and the animal glands such as liver, heart, kidney, sweetbreads and brain. Nuts, except the coconut, are a good source of this vitamin, especially in their natural state.
Vegetables and fruit are not rich sources of vitamin B. 11 Some is found in the Irish and sweet potato, in parsnips, the yellow rutabaga, tomatoes, avacados and asparagus. Cabbage, leeks and cress also contain some vitamin B. Of the fruits, apples, avacados, bananas, pineapples and the citrus fruits are the best known sources, though their vitamin B content is not high.
The chief supply of vitamin B in our food, under natural conditions, is from the whole grain of wheat and other cereals, especially in the germ (unfortunately removed in most milling processes). For this reason, especially, whole cereal grains, unpolished rice, and whole wheat bread and macaroni, should replace the refined products used so commonly today. Yeast is a very rich source of vitamin B, but the amount put into bread is too small to be effective. Many nutrition experts advise the taking every day of dried brewer's yeast, and extra wheat germ in cereals or cookies, not in any sense as a medical adjunct but as a valuable food to supplement the average modern diet which is notably deficient in this vitamin. Children as well as adults have special need of some extra source of this vitamin in the daily diet. For the pregnant or nursing mother it is imperative and as compared with the common diet should be greatly increased. Some nutrition experts advise that three to five times the normal amount should be taken during this period, with safety on the side of the larger amount. 12 The greater the weight or activity of the individual the greater is his need of vitamin B, and a greater amount should be eaten.
Since vitamin B is soluble in water it may be stored in the body for a very brief time only and this store is soon exhausted. Therefore, it should be found plentifully in the daily diet at all ages.
Vitamin B is destroyed somewhat by ordinary cooking, especially with soda. High temperature, under pressure, destroys it completely.
Vitamin C. This vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, possesses the power to keep in healthy condition the connective tissues of the body, which hold together the countless millions of body cells.
In the absence or under a shortage of vitamin C, the connective tissue is weakened, the blood vessels become fragile and bleed under the skin or internally, producing general weakness, acute soreness of the joints, gums with loosened teeth, and fragile bones. When the bones of the jaw are attacked, the resulting condition is called pyorrhea, which disease afflicts a large number of civilized men today. When the gums or any parts of the body bleed easily, it may be taken as a warning that more vitamin C should be taken in the diet. When the deficiency becomes acute the disease called scurvy results. This disease has afflicted man for centuries, though its direct cause was not known until recently. The vitamin which prevents it is therefore called the anti-scorbutic vitamin. The lack of this vitamin may also cause hemorrhages in the lining of the stomach and alimentary tract, thus making them susceptible to infection of all kinds. Indeed, the increasing prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulcers may be aggravated in large measure by the shortage of vitamins B and C in the diet.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits—oranges, lemons, grapefruit—in sprouting grains, in green, leafy plants—celery, lettuce, cress, and spinach—in tomatoes, rutabagas, beans, squash, bananas, raspberries, peaches, pineapple; in raw summer milk (if cows are fed in pastures) and in liver lightly cooked. Other foods containing vitamin C in amounts that make them desirable as sources of this substance are potatoes, cabbage, carrots and apples. Many of these foods are best eaten raw. Those who find it difficult to reach the modern markets may increase their vitamin C supply by sprouting grains or legumes—peas, beans, lentils. This has been practiced by the Orientals for ages. Another inexpensive source is the raw juice of the tomato, rutabaga, carrot, or other vegetables mentioned.
In many vegetables, especially the potato, the vitamins are usually just under the skin, therefore such vegetables should be scrubbed clean and put on to cook without previous peeling. If peeled, the peelings should be cooked, strained and used for soup. However, potato peelings which show the dark greenish color (which comes from growing while exposed to the sun) should be discarded, since they may contain measurable amounts of the poison common to many of the night-shade group of plants to which group the potato belongs. Vitamin C is soluble in water, and vegetables should therefore never be soaked, especially when peeled.
Vitamin C will not stand much heating or freezing, and is most difficult to obtain unless the food is eaten fresh, often uncooked. To preserve this vitamin, cooking should be about ten minutes and not to exceed twenty to thirty minutes, except for dried legumes, and never with soda or salt, which destroys this as other vitamins. If vegetables are cooked without access to air, and not under pressure, some of the vitamin may be preserved; therefore, it is found in certain brands of canned tomatoes. Ordinary cow's milk is deficient in this vitamin, except where the cows are grass-fed; therefore, bottle-fed babies should be given orange juice or strained tomato juice in addition to their whole milk and other food.
Since prolonged cooking is harmful to most vitamins, the wise housewife will cook her vegetables with this understanding. Because of this fact, many vegetables are much better as food if eaten raw, hence the custom of eating salads every day. One worker has made this clear:
"A quarter of a century ago raw carrots were never seen on the tables of the wealthy. Raw carrots were all right for rabbits and for such people who could not afford the more expensive dishes. But nature has given the proud millionaire and the humble shopkeeper the same kind of stomach. And since, as the philosophers have observed, 'a hale cobbler is better than a sick king,' the raw carrot, so potent in building vigorous health through its riches of vitamins, has come into its own. It is now served everywhere, in the palatial metropolitan hotels as well as in the lowly cottages—perhaps it provides for us a lesson not only in good health but also in the sin of snobbishness.
"But not all foods can be eaten raw, as carrots. Some must be cooked if they are to be made palatable. Fortunately, we have learned to shorten the time for cooking vegetables. A generation ago string beans, cabbage, and greens, including spinach, were boiled from two to three hours with a ham bone or a slab of pork. This method probably justifies the insubordination of those who had to eat spinach prepared under such circumstances! If foods are heated in vacuo, two-thirds of the vitamin C is saved." 13
Since vitamin C cannot be stored in the body the daily use of foods containing it is imperative. There is little danger of taking an overdose of vitamin C in the diet, but grave danger from a shortage is possible.
Vitamin D. In chapter 9, the imperative need of food calcium and phosphorus and other minerals was made clear. But, unless there is a "mineral food policeman" in the body these much needed substances cannot be utilized. The agent that performs these duties is known as vitamin D. This vitamin stimulates generally the metabolism of the necessary minerals in the cells of the body, especially in the teeth and the entire bony structure. There may be ample minerals in the food but without the presence of vitamin D they cannot be used properly in preserving bodily health. Therefore, vitamin D has been called the "mineralizing agent" in food. It also aids in the promotion of healthy nerves through its power to stimulate calcium absorption.
When there is a shortage of vitamin D in the food, especially before birth, the jawbones and teeth are poorly formed; the teeth are very susceptible to decay, often crooked and malformed; bones are misshapen and break easily. A decided shortage produces rickets, a disease well known in most countries of the temperate zone, especially those with little sunshine. The most common manifestations of this disease are bad teeth, bow legs and a misshapen bony structure generally. It has been called the "disease of poverty and darkness", for direct sunshine on the skin is a protector against rickets. Most cases of spinal curvature and other such deformities are the result of mineral and vitamin D deficiency either in the mother's food before birth, or in the child's food during its early life, or of both. Rickets is not only a disease of the bones but affects the entire body. Those who are afflicted with it usually eat far too much starchy and sweet foods, "made dishes", instead of the foods made by nature: milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Dr. McCollum reports a most interesting study as to the effects of vitamin D on the duration of labor at childbirth. Of 300 cases of first pregnancies 201 were given ample vitamin D during the period and had an average labor of six hours per patient. For those not given vitamin D the average labor was 19 hours. When given to mothers of later births the average labor was only 3 1/2 hours. 14
Vitamin D is one of the vitamins which may be formed in the human body, but only by direct exposure of the skin to the ultraviolet rays of sunshine. For this reason the body, or parts of it, should be exposed but not overexposed to direct sunlight for certain periods daily whenever possible. It has been called the "sunshine vitamin" or the "secret of the sun". Indeed, sunlight acting on plants forms all the vitamins, and is the best physician known to man.
Vitamin D is fat soluble and occurs in many of the fatty foods which contain vitamin A; it was believed for some time to be identical with vitamin A. Vitamins A and D have been shown however to be quite distinct in their functions.
Fish liver oils are the richest sources of this vitamin. Of those investigated to date, the halibut liver oil contains many times as much vitamin D as does cod liver oil, and the blue fin tuna liver oil many times more; while the livers of the percamorph fishes (of which the perch is a member) exceed by far the content of any other known source of vitamin D. Purified preparations of all these oils are put up by reliable firms and their use is recommended, especially during the winter months. 15 Vitamin D is found also, but in much less quantity, in yellow beef suet, milk, butter and eggs, when animals are fed right. Because of the relationship between sunshine and vitamin D, milk or vegetable oils are often exposed for a certain period to the direct rays of the sun or to artificially produced ultra-violet rays. Such irradiated foods contain vitamin D, synthesized by the ultraviolet rays.
An overdose of vitamin D may be toxic, causing an increased absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the body and a consequent disturbance of the blood, kidneys, large arteries and intestines. However, the eating of natural foods will seldom produce this effect but the dose of highly concentrated preparations such as irradiated ergosterol may be overdone. All artificial or chemically prepared vitamin concentrates are best used on the advice of a competent physician. 16
Since the short waves of light, (the so-called ultra-violet light which accomplishes the formation of vitamin D) cannot pass through ordinary window glass, the exposure of the body or foods to secure the benefits of vitamin D, must be to the direct sunlight—in the open—but without over-exposure. Glass which is transparent to the violet rays of the sun may now be obtained, and for cold climates the use of this "vitaglass" is recommended for window panes.
An interesting property of vitamin D is that it may be stored in the body, though not to the same extent as vitamin A. It is also more stable than any other vitamin, being unhurt by cooking or oxidation.
Vitamin E. This is the vitamin on which is dependent indirectly the future of the race, for it is the one which must be present in the diet to secure normal reproduction and lactation. Its absence from the diet tends to cause sterility in males, and miscarriage in females. Without it, animals may be seemingly normal and well-nourished but definitely incapable of reproduction.
Experiments of the effects of vitamin E on laboratory animals have led to some startling disclosures.
"Three vitamins play vital parts in reproduction—vitamins A, B, and E. We have seen that diets low in vitamin A cause ovulation to cease in the female and bring injury to her reproductive system. The absence of that vitamin in the diet of the male is responsible for the degeneration of the epithelial tissues and a serious impairment of the sex function. If vitamin B is entirely lacking, the result is degeneration of the tissues of the sex glands in both male and female. Vitamin E deficiency results in the destruction of the germ cells in the male and a failure of placental function in the female, a disturbance not seen in any other food deficiency. A lack is felt sooner by the female than by the male rats, but it is quickly cured by feeding vitamin E, however long the privation has been. Once the injury is done in the male rats, it is almost impossible to restore fertility, even with large doses of this factor. There is a gradual decay of the generative organs which cannot be corrected." 17
During pregnancy and lactation the body need of vitamins and minerals is greatly increased. The quantity of food need not be increased, but the coming mother must "eat for two" as regards the mineral and vitamin content of her food. During lactation, the mother should eat liberally of high quality protein with a more than usual supply of vitamins. 18
Vitamin E, like vitamins A and D, is soluble in fat. It is found most abundantly in the germ or embryo of wheat and other grains, and in seeds such as corn, peas, and beans. It is also found in egg yolk, liver, lettuce and the green leaves of plants. Vitamin E may be stored in the body, and transferred from mother to child. It is not destroyed by moderate cooking.
Vitamin G. This, the latest vitamin to be designated alphabetically, is often associated with vitamin B; indeed for a long time it was thought to be identical with vitamin B, and is therefore designated by European writers as vitamin B2. Recent investigations have shown it to be a separate vitamin of high importance to human welfare.
Vitamin G is necessary for the promotion of general health and, with the other vitamins, stimulates growth and activity into a feeling of general well-being. Specifically it seems to induce firmness of flesh, increase muscle tone, promote youthful and healthy hair and skin, and prolong the characteristics of youth into old age. Indeed, it has been called the "longevity vitamin."
Its shortage in the food causes first an unhealthy condition of the skin, falling hair and wrinkles; then a skin rash and decided irritation which may develop into actual sores; next a sore mouth and tongue; while prolonged shortage produces intestinal weakness resulting in diarrhea, with lesions in the spinal cord causing in time mental disturbances. A general debility ensues, with all the evidences of old age.
The sun seems to aggravate the symptoms and the face and hands and parts exposed to the sun become intensely inflamed, with hideous sores which follow a long continued and definite shortage. This is the dread disease pellagra which is so prevalent in the South and other districts where the food consists chiefly of white bread usually served hot, degerminated cornmeal and other carbohydrate foods made palatable with hog fat and molasses. "Grease and grits" is not a satisfactory diet, for they are practically devoid of minerals and vitamins. The use of poor quality proteins is also a probable factor in the incidence of pellagra.
This is the one deficiency disease prevalent in the United States where the food supply is supposed to be "the best in the world". From its ravages thousands die annually and many more suffer from it more or less throughout their entire lives—for it affects young and old alike. In 1927 over 120,000 cases were recorded in the Southern States. During 1911-1916 the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company recorded more deaths from pellagra than from tuberculosis or malaria.
Pellagra occurs wherever devitalized food predominates. It has been called one of the chief "modern plagues of Egypt". It is not contagious and is entirely a dietary or deficiency disease.
Vitamin G is found in many foods which contain vitamin B. Its richest sources are standardized brewer's yeast, liver extract, milk, cheese, whey-cheese or powder, egg white, kidney, and liver. It is also found in lesser degree in lean meat and some leafy vegetables. Liver, eggs, green leaves, milk and meat are richer in vitamin G than B; while whole grains and legumes are richer in vitamin B than G. Egg white is the only one of these foods which contains vitamin G but not B.
It is a water soluble vitamin and therefore is often lost by wrong cooking processes. It cannot be stored in the body and so must be taken daily. Moderate heat does not destroy it, but it is destroyed by the pressure cooker, or when cooked with soda, or when exposed to light. That is probably one reason why direct sunlight seems to aggravate the disease pellagra.
Experts claim that one quart of milk daily for adults as well as children (skim or dried milk if one wishes to reduce), with a liberal use of fruit and vegetables, and meat occasionally, will protect one against a shortage of this vitamin.
It may be noted in passing that the child needs his daily quart of milk to insure a supply of calcium as well as to supply vitamin G, but the adult needs it to insure the youth-prolonging vitamin G as well as to maintain his mineral balance. When fresh milk may not be obtained in quantities sufficient for family needs, powdered or canned milk, which largely maintains its calcium and vitamin G potency, may be used. This latter may be used with profit in cooking and thus enhance the milk intake. Thus, one's life expectancy and vigor may be increased.
Vitamin Content of Foods. The following table, giving the vitamin content of some foods most commonly used, is compiled from various reliable sources, notably Sherman, Rose, the Medical Research Council of Great Britain and the Bureau of Home Economics, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 19 It must be borne in mind that this information is not final since the vitamin and mineral content varies with the composition of the soil, amount of sunshine and other factors.
VITAMIN CONTENT OF FOODS
It will be noticed that no note is taken of vitamins D and E, for the following reasons: Vitamin D occurs, in many instances, associated with vitamin A, though its action is quite distinct. The best sources of vitamin D are fish liver oils, egg yolk, butter, cream, cheese, liver and whole milk. As explained in the text, it may be manufactured in the body by the action of direct sunlight upon the skin. Vitamin E is found in many foods, though its richest sources are in wheat germ and other grain embryos, green leaves, seeds, fresh meat, egg yolk and whole milk.
* means that some vitamin is present. ** means that the food is a good source. *** means that the food is an excellent source. — means that no vitamin is present. ? means that information is not definite.
FOODS: A; B; C; G
Animal Foods
Milk (whole) ............ *** ; ** ; * ; Varies ***
Eggs .................... *** ; * to ** ; ? ; ***
Egg—white ............... — ; — ; — ; ***
Egg—yolk ................ *** ; ** ; ? ; ***
Fish (fat, fresh) ....... * ; * ; ? ; *
Liver and Kidney ........ *** ; ** ; * ? ; ***
Heart and Sweetbreads ... * ; ** ; — ; **
Brains .................. * ; ** ; ? ; ?
Cheese (whole milk) ..... ** to *** ; ? ; ? ; *
Cheese (cottage-skim) ... * ;? ; ? ; *
Cream (grass fed) ....... *** ; ** ; Varies; ***
Meat (fresh muscle-- if fed right) ........ * ; * ; — to * ; **
Butter .................. *** ; — ; — ; —
Cod liver oil ........... *** ; — ; — ; —
Ice Cream (genuine) ..... ** ; ** ; * ? ;***
Vegetables and Fruits
Apples .................. * ; * to ** ; ** ; **
Apricots ................ ** ; ? ; ** ; **
Asparagus ............... Varies ; ? ; ** ; ?
Avacado (Alligator Pear) ................... ** ; *** ; * ; **
Bananas ................. * to ** ; * to ** ; ** ; **
Beans (fresh) ........... ** ; ** ; ** ; **
Beans (dry) ............. * ; ** ; ? ; *
Beans (sprouted) ........ * ; ** ; ** ; *
Beet (roots) ............ * ; * ; * ; *
Beet (leaves) ........... ** ; ** ; ** ; ***
Bread (white) ........... — ; — to * ; — ; —
Bread white-whole milk) . — to * ; — to * ; ? ; *
Bread (whole meal) ...... ** ; *** ; — to * ; **
Broccoli ................ ** ; ** ; * ; **
Cabbage (raw, green) .... ** ; ** ; *** ; **
Cabbage (cooked) ........ * ; ** ; * ; **
Carrots ................. *** ; ** ; ** ; **
Cauliflower ............. * ; ** ; * ; **
Celery .................. — to * ; ** ; ** ; ?
Corn (yellow) ........... ** ; ** ; — ; *
Corn meal (yellow) ...... * ; ** ; — ; *
Cress ................... *** ; ** ; *** ; **
Dates ................... * ; ** ; — ; *
Kale .................... *** ; * ; ** ; ***
Lemon juice ............. * ; ** ; *** ; **
Lettuce ................. * to ** ; ** ; ** ; **
Okra .................... ** ; ** ; ? ; ?
Onions, raw ............. — to * ; * ; ** ; *
Onions, cooked .......... — to * ; * ; * ; *
Parsley ................. *** ; ** ; *** ; ?
Peaches, raw ............ * to ** ; * ; ** ; * to **
Peas, green ............. ** ; ** ; *** ; **
Peas, dry ............... * ; ** ; ? ; **
Nuts, uncooked .......... * ; ** ; ? ; ?
Potatoes, white-unpeeled * ; ** ; ** ; *
Potatoes, Sweet ......... *** ; ** ; ** ; *
Raspberries ............. ** ; * ; *** ; —
Strawberries ............ * ; * ; *** ; ?
Rice, polished .......... — ; — ; — ; —
Rice, whole grain ....... * ; ** ; — ; *
Rutabaga ................ — to * ; ** ; *** ; ?
Spinach ................. *** ; * ; ** ; **
Squash, Hubbard ......... *** ; * ; ? ; *
Squash, Summer .......... * ; * ; ? ; *
Tomatoes, raw ........... ** ; ** ; *** ; *
Turnips ................. — to * ; * ; ** ; *
Turnips, leaves ......... *** ; ** ; *** ; **
Watercress .............. *** ; ** ; *** ; **
Watermelon .............. ** ; * ; *** ; *
Wheat, whole ............ * ; ** ; — ; *
Wheat, bran ............. * ; ** ; — ; *
Wheat, germ ............. ** ; *** ; — ; **
Yeast ................... — ; *** ; — ; ***
Canning and Drying. What are the effects of drying and canning on the food value of fruits and vegetables is a question often asked. The different vitamins respond differently to these processes. Vitamin C is the most unstable; it cannot resist heating, drying or even long storage. Others, notably vitamins D, G, E and even B are more resistant; but they lose some of their potency in the ordinary processes of canning, especially when cooked with the pressure cooker or in the open air. Kiln or sun drying destroys the vitamins; especially is this true with those treated with sulphur or other gases to hasten the process. Sun drying however does not reduce the mineral content of foods.
Certain it is that canned or dried foods used in moderation are acceptable foods, provided vitamin rich foods are used to supplement the diet. On farms and places away from the larger markets, fresh foods are often difficult to secure and the use of canned or dried food becomes necessary. Intelligence and prudence must then be used to secure the necessary vitamins in some other form.
One of the dangers of the preserving kettle is that excessive amounts of sugar may be used to make foods palatable or to keep them from spoiling, which foods if used to excess may cause digestive disturbances. Another danger in canning or cooking vegetables is the use of soda to retain their green color or to make them cook more quickly. This process destroys all vitamins and changes for the worse the flavor and food value of food so treated. If cooked quickly in a minimum of water, the color as well as flavor may be retained.
Some foods must be cooked, but not too long. All safe students of health science agree that everyone should eat some raw food, including milk, fruits and leafy vegetables—every day if possible. This does not exclude moderate amounts of canned or dried fruits and vegetables. When over one-third or more of the calories of the diet are taken in the form of cereal food products (white bread and cereals usually), and one-fifth in the form of sugar, with an additional one-fifth as meat, it will be noted that the larger proportion of the food supply is furnished by foods which are practically devoid of vitamins or minerals. Any reduction of these essential nutritive elements caused by the processes of refining, drying or canning foods which furnish the vitamin supply will surely lead to nutritive disaster.
A testimonial as to the inspiration of the Word of Wisdom in relation to the use of fresh food, "in the season thereof" is given by Dr. Ullman:
"It is most deplorable that industry and capital are successful, by shrewd advertising methods and even with the aid of medical schools, in making people believe that canned food can replace fresh food at any time and in any way. This is far from the truth. Whatever the scientific departments of the canneries may emphasize and advertise, it is clear that the food which has been processed, heated, sugared, pickled, stained, bleached, seasoned with salt and various acids and finally closed up in a tin can, is far from its natural state. It may still contain the vitamins A, B or C, but it never will be the same as fresh food. Especially is this true as far as acids are concerned. Whenever food is closed up in a metal container it is merely a matter of time until certain acids form. The United States Bureau of Chemistry, recognizing this fact, has twice made the attempt to obtain a new legislation which would compel the labeling of cans with an expiration date, just as vaccines and sera have to be labeled. Both times the canneries and their allies were able to suppress these efforts. It may be remembered by every one that the use of canned food should be restricted to the absolute minimum in spite of all the advertising. Especially should one be careful of buying canned food at sales. All these bargains are the remains of one year or more and the risk of bad effects stands in no relation to the saving. . . . Advertising is primarily a means toward making more money as every businessman knows. Here, however, we are not concerned with the merits of advertising but only with preserving health and preventing colds." 20
Foods Without Vitamins. Such foods should be eaten sparingly, especially if they are lacking in minerals as well. Among them are the following: Vegetable oils and margarines, nut butters, lard, pork and bacon fats, all vegetables cooked with soda, all fruits or vegetables if cooked too long, jam, marmalade, fruit jellies, white flour and bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, macaroni, pastry, syrup, treacle, white sugar, candy, white rice, pearl barley, corn starch, egg substitutes, sago, tapioca and dried coconut. This list includes the foods which are treated by man either to suit an unnatural taste, or to enable them to be shipped without spoiling from place to place. The diet in which they predominate cannot produce full health even though they may be good energy foods, containing sufficient calories and are easily digested. If persisted in, the first symptoms of the deficiency diseases are sure to follow, and man pays the price sooner or later with broken health. One must learn to enjoy food prepared by Mother Nature—she is the best "cook." She knows her job. It must be remembered that some vitamin free foods may be valuable for their mineral content.
Foods Rich in Vitamins. Such are: All fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, grains, milk, cheese, eggs, and to some degree fresh meats. These foods should form the bulk of the human diet, for they form the source of all vitamins, minerals, proteins and energy foods.
This does not mean that a satisfactory and health-giving diet need be coarse or monotonous for there is a great variety of fruits and vegetables available at most seasons, and the development of modern transportation with refrigeration makes available most fruits and vegetables in season the year round. The increasing use of refrigerator trucks also makes it possible to find markets in more remote farming communities. While long cold storage tends to decrease the vitamin content yet if done carefully and not too long, most vitamins will be present. With our present knowledge the same may be said of products kept in a frozen state. When people are aware of their bodily needs, the demand for a wholesome diet may be met in most cases. Here as elsewhere the enemies to be feared are ignorance and indifference. The willingness to "let good enough alone" may in time undermine one's health and happiness.
Vitamin Shortage. In summing up the case for "fresh food," one must remember that it is now a well known fact that many cases of lingering illness or cases of ill-defined poor health may be aggravated by a shortage of food minerals and vitamins, for the diseases often disappear when vitamin or mineral-rich foods are taken. The great plagues of the Orient or the deficiency diseases of sunless climates are not frequently met among people who have enough means for most of life's necessities. Yet, many of the first symptoms of these dread diseases, caused by insufficient vitamins and minerals, are all too prevalent among civilized men today. Thus, for health preservation it is important to provide a full supply of vitamins to promote full health and vigor as well as to fortify one against the countless infections and ills to which man is heir. 21
One clever student of nutrition has said that if ample calcium-bearing foods were taken together with vitamins B, G, and D, all of which promote nerve health, there would be a definite decrease in the modern divorce rate. 22 Certain it is that many cases of irritability or so-called nervous collapse, attributed to over-work or the speed of modern life, as well as mental deficiency or even criminal tendencies, may be caused by a long continued shortage of necessary minerals and vitamins resulting from the devitalized foods which form the bulk of the modern diet.
It should be understood that generally one is much safer in taking vitamins and minerals from natural foods than from artificially prepared drug products. Many reliable dietitians advise those who live away from the supply of fresh milk and garden produce, to take daily, some fish liver oils and dried brewer's yeast tablets as supplementary foods. In addition, a wise daily diet would include two or more cooked vegetables, some raw food in the form of salads, whole grain bread or porridge, an ample supply of milk, eggs and butter, and the use of flesh foods "sparingly," which should include occasionally liver, kidneys, brains and sweetbreads. 23
Food For Infants. Mother's milk is the natural and best food for babies. If mothers are well nourished and live according to the known laws of health, there is no reason why modern mothers may not nurse their babies as well as did their grandmothers. No normal woman would wilfully forego this blessed privilege no matter who may advise to the contrary, for no prepared infants' food can compare in health value with that given by nature.
If weaning is necessary, then natural food should be given, and the best available is modified cows' milk, given according to the best knowledge of nutrition experts. One should beware of artificially prepared products even though they may be highly advertised or recommended and may seem to make a baby fat and active. No artificial product, even though scientifically compounded, can supplant nature's food; for up to date no chemical or nutritional laboratory can put into a manufactured food all the ingredients that nature planted there. The baby fed on canned foods, or devitalized cereals, may seem well for a time but later trouble will develop if its food has not been entirely complete. Right principles of good nutrition apply to the human body from birth to old age, and the wise mother or prospective mother will inform herself on this most important subject.
Diet for Invalids. Those who are ill require even greater attention to the known laws of good nutrition than do those who are robust and active. Dr. Plimmer summarizes many difficulties thus:
"White flesh, white fish, served with pasty, white sauces, white cereals in puddings and gruels are the daily fare of the invalid. Beef tea and meat extracts stimulate the appetite, but consist mainly of water. Most of the fat and protein with its vitamin B2 (or G) which were in the meat have been discarded. In special cases fruit and vegetables are debarred as likely to cause acidity, flatulence and indigestion. . . . An invalid diet is so frequently lacking in vitamins that it would kill the healthiest man if continued for a few months. Since resistance to infection depends largely upon the food, every surgical or medical patient should receive an abundance of vitamins as part of the regulation treatment." 24
A Prophet's Inspiration. Again, the principles of good nutrition apply to the human body from youth to age, in sickness and in health. Indeed, if these principles were understood and applied man might "live to the age of a tree," and be full of health and vigor throughout life's journey. Our Heavenly Father intended it should be so, hence the wise instructions given to His children from time to time.
The present understanding of the function of vitamins in the human body is evidence that the Prophet Joseph Smith must have been inspired when he foretold this great truth so many years before the science of modern nutrition was born.
Most impressive is the fact that all the truths discovered regarding the importance of vitamins in man's diet conform so strictly to the instructions given in the Word of Wisdom: "Every herb and every fruit in the season thereof," and this, long before man knew anything about vitamins.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 1935.
Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition.
Daniel, Esther P., and Munsell, Hazel E., Vitamin Content of Foods, Bureau of Home Economics, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1937.
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Eddy, W. H., Nutrition.
Gauger, M. E., Vitamins and Your Health, 1935.
Harris, L. J., Vitamins in Theory and Practice, 1935.
McCollum, E. V., Recent Advances in Nutritional Research, 1937.
McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1933.
Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health and Vitamins, 1932.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1935.
Rose, M. S., Foundations of Nutrition, 1937.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health.
Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition.
Ullman, E. V., Diet in Sinus Infections and Colds.
Vitamins—Survey of Present Knowledge, 1932, Medical Research Council of Great Britain (His Majesty's Stationery Office).
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:11.
2. Harris, L. J., Vitamins in Theory and Practice, p. 47; Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health and Vitamins, pp. 38-54.
3. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 200.
4. Gauger, M. E., Vitamins and Your Health, pp. 26-27, 1935; Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition, p. 173.
5. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 202.
6. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, pp. 38, 39.
7. Ibid., pp. 84, 109.
8. Ibid., p. 52.
9. McCollum, E. V., and Becker, Food, Nutrition and Health, p. 86.
10. Gauger, M. E., Vitamins and Your Health, p. 44.
11. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, p. 48.
12. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health and Vitamins, pp. 52, 53. also Bogert, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 434-451.
13. Gauger, M. E., Vitamins and Your Health, pp. 64-65, 1935, Robt. M. McBride & Co.
14. McCollum, E. V., Recent Advances in Nutritional Research, 1937, pp. 24-25.
15. United States Department of Agriculture, miscellaneous publication, p. 275.
16. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 1935, p. 204.
17. Gauger, M. E., Vitamins and Your Health, pp. 87-88, Robert M. McBride & Co.
18. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 450.
19. Vitamin Content of Food, Daniel and Munsell, 1937.
20. Ullmann, E. V., Diet in Sinus Infections and Colds, 1934, pp. 20,21. Macmillan &Co.
21. Sherman, H.C., Food and Health, pp. 2, 117, 125; Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, pp. 51-54.
22. Davis, A., Optimum Health, p. 87.
23. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 236, 237
24. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, 1932, p. 119. Longmans Green & Co. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 12
GRAINS
"All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. . . . All grain is good for the food of man." 1
Use of Grain. Grains, or cereals, were ordained to be "the staff of life" for human and animal consumption, and so they have been almost from the beginning of time. All races consume large quantities of cereal products unless it be the peoples of the frozen north or south where grains cannot grow. This consumption has increased greatly from earlier ages owing to the increased cultivation of the earth, made possible by improved methods of agriculture. The popularity of grains as food is augmented by their excellent keeping qualities, the ease with which they may be handled, and their relatively low cost. They furnish an economical source of energy, and it is difficult to plan a satisfactory diet without them, especially where the cost of food must be considered.
Composition of Grains. Grains contain the six necessary food elements already enumerated, though not in the same proportions. They are characterized by a high carbohydrate (starch) and rather low protein content. That is, they are largely carbohydrate or energy foods.
The ash or mineral content of the grains is fairly high. Phosphorus and calcium are both present in a notable degree, while iron, copper and manganese, necessary to full health, are usually found in more than sufficient amounts. The inclusion of grains in the dietary insures a relatively large ingestion of the necessary minerals. (see chapters 9 and 11)
The grains are also excellent sources of the valuable vitamins B and E with smaller quantities of vitamins A and G. From every point of view, grains are good human foods.
All Grains Are Good Food. The grains most used are rice, wheat, rye, corn, oats and barley, and in this order is the relative extent of their use as food. Today more than half of the human family subsist largely on rice, the staple food of all Oriental peoples. Among the so-called white races, wheat is the favored grain because of its ease of production, its bland flavor and the porous loaf of bread that may be made from it.
In many countries of Europe, rye is used as a staple food, virtually displacing wheat products. These peoples are well nourished, when other food habits are good, for the minerals and vitamins are distributed throughout the rye kernel and are not so apt to be discarded in the process of milling as is the case in wheat flour. Barley will grow where wheat does not thrive, therefore it is used for bread in such places. Oats are used in most countries for a type of mush or similar breakfast dish for which they are an excellent, nutritious food, if not too highly milled and refined. The people of Scotland for generations have used oats for cereals and cakes, more largely than wheat or rye, and are, when ample milk is used with this otherwise good diet, well fed and healthy. Corn is used in many countries both as bread and for other popular dishes.
Human experience has shown that any or all of these grains are wholesome human foods. This is confirmed by chemical analysis. The following table gives the comparative composition of the grains most commonly used:
Inorganic Carbo- or Mineral Proteins Fats hydrates Constituents
Whole Wheat Flour ...... 13.8 1.9 71.9 1.7
Corn Meal .............. 9.2 1.9 75.4 0.7
Rice (polished) ........ 7.2 0.2 76.0 0.5
Rye Flour .............. 8.0 0.9 76.0 0.7
Barley (pearled) ....... 8.5 1.1 77.8 1.3
Oatmeal ................ 16.1 7.2 67.5 1.9
Breakfast Cereals. A favorite way of taking grain as food is by the use of breakfast cereals. These must be properly cooked. The whole of the wheat grain should be used, for the minerals and vitamins are found in the germ and the outer covering of the kernel. The grain may be ground as fine as desirable or eaten whole as preferred.
Prepared cereals are easy to serve but are relatively expensive; in such shape, grain is often sold at the rate of $25 a bushel. Also through the process of manufacture they are likely to become deficient in some of the vitamin and mineral content of the grains inasmuch as they will not keep fresh unless devitalized. One of the simplest and best cereals is made by grinding whole wheat to any desired fineness in an old-fashioned coffee grinder. The following partial list classifies some standard breakfast cereals with respect to the manner of their preparation:
WHOLE GRAIN HIGHLY MILLED Oatmeal Cream of Wheat Pettijohn's Light Farina Puffed Wheat Corn Flakes Shredded Wheat Cornmeal (white) Dark Farina Hominy Wheatsworth Grapenuts Wheatena Pearled Barley Graham Mush White Rice Wild Rice Puffed Rice 2
Starch and Sugar in the Diet. The grains are rich in carbohydrates—that is, in sugars and starches. When many molecular sugar groups are linked together, a starch is formed. Similarly, when a starch is subjected to a hydrolizing, disorganizing process, as in digestion, sugars are formed. When starch is eaten, its first digestive change is its reduction to sugar. Therefore, sugars and starches are practically identical in their effects upon the body. This explains why it is a dietetic duplication to combine sugar and starchy foods as is often done with sugar on cereals or in the rich pastries and desserts of the modern dietary.
As a rule, starches are easily and fully digested when properly cooked and taken alone. Partial cooking of starches which has occurred where the inside of hot bread or biscuits is of a doughy consistency, leads to retarded digestion. Starches are also much harder to digest when fried, for fat covers the starch granules and keeps them from being properly and promptly reached by the digestive juices (as in doughnuts, fried foods, etc.). They are also less digestible when blended with fat as in pastry or in undercooked gravy or cream sauce. Such a combination tends to ferment in the stomach and intestines, causing delay in digestion and in time producing distressing symptoms which often lead to irritation and later to serious trouble.
One of the commonest dietary errors of today is the overeating of starchy foods, with or without fats and sugars, such as macaroni, rice, cereals, cakes, pastry and desserts—thereby satisfying the hunger so that no desire remains for foods that contain building materials with regulating minerals and vitamins. The excessive use of starch, sugar or fat, unbalances the diet by supplying an excess of one of the essential food elements, the energy producing one.
Sugar as Food. Sugar is a carbohydrate food which has come into general use since the Word of Wisdom was given to the world. The revelation deals only with grains, fruits, vegetables—nature's products—and with meat to be used sparingly in cold or famine, but it does not follow that foods not specifically mentioned in the Word of Wisdom are prohibited. Milk and many other good foods are not mentioned, yet should be used intelligently, with wisdom and prudence, which includes knowledge.
The use of sugar as food is a recent development. Before 1600 A.D. it was used in Europe as a medicine or a curiosity and was handled only in the apothecary (or drug) shops and sold for $1.50 or more a pound. Later it was used only as a flavoring and in minute quantities. Its use as a staple article of diet has gradually increased with the ease and extent of its manufacture, from an annual 10 pounds per capita one hundred years ago, to over 120 pounds per capita today. 3 The annual candy bill alone is well over a billion dollars. The people of the United States have become known as the "sugar gluttons" of the world.
The body needs sugar; it is a physiological necessity, for it is found as glucose in the blood (about one part to one thousand) and provides fuel for heat and muscular energy. However, there is much difference, in sugar concentration, between the sweet foods that occur in nature and those manufactured from cane or sugar beets. Pure sugar is one of the most concentrated foods known, one lump containing an amount equal to that found in about three feet of sugar cane. In Mexico and other countries where the diet is more simple, sugar cane is sold on the markets and is used as a natural sweet-meat. This is desirable, for then the teeth get exercise and the minerals as well as the natural sweets are obtained from the juice. In the manufacture of sugar the mineral content of the cane or beet passes into the molasses, which in the case of beets is never used for human food. Even nature's sweet foods, fresh or dried fruits, honey or syrup, are good foods, but their proper use should be understood and followed; they should be eaten moderately, usually as a dessert.
There are many disadvantages resulting from the excessive use of sugar as food. It is an artificially prepared product, is totally lacking in proteins, mineral salts and vitamins. It is distinctly a habit-forming food; those who have never used it do not like it, but a taste for it is easily acquired, after which one is tempted to overeat on sweet foods which leads to an unbalanced diet. This habit-forming nature has contributed greatly to the consumption of sugar. 4
The process of starch and sugar digestion is well known. The gland known as the pancreas secretes a digestive fluid which is emptied into the upper small intestine. This secretion contains a hormone called insulin which tends to lower the concentration of glucose in the blood, and is essential for the utilization of all carbohydrate food—starches and sugars.
McCollum states that:
"Sugar, being readily soluble, is quickly absorbed from the digestive tract, and if eaten too freely at one time tends to enter the blood faster than the liver and other tissues can abstract it and causes a high tide of sugar in the blood. It is not improbable that when this high tide of sugar occurs the pancreas puts out more insulin than is necessary, thus putting a strain on the insulin-forming structures. If this is true, eating excessively of sugar over a considerable period may tend to bring on diabetes. . . . Nature did not intend that we should eat freely of the simple sugars and did not make them available. She gave us much starch instead. This was a wise provision, since starches eaten with an ordinary meal require several hours for complete digestion and absorption, hence the resulting glucose enters the blood slowly and does not cause the high tide of blood sugar." 5
When one overeats on starches, which become sugar in digestion, and eats sweets as well, the pancreas becomes overworked and loses its power to dispose of the sugar which then accumulates in the blood and is excreted in the urine. The result is the disease diabetes which follows an insufficient supply of insulin. Many food experts claim that the excessive use of carbohydrates, sugars and starch in the diet may be the direct cause of diabetes, and all agree that the increased use of these foods certainly does greatly aggravate the disease. Dr. Plimmer states:
"The Americans, with their love of candy, are the largest sugar eaters in the world. Incidentally, cancer and diabetes, two scourges of civilization, have increased proportionately to the sugar consumption." 6
In the United States alone diabetes has doubled its incidence since 1900 and cancer has come to be the second greatest cause of death among all classes. The cause of these diseases is not definitely known but wrong diet, including excessive eating of meat and sweets, may safely be said to aggravate them. The over-use of sugar in the daily diet certainly irritates the delicate lining membrane of the alimentary tract, and persistent irritation predisposes it to the formation of ulcers, as is well known. Excessive use of sweets also affects adversely the liver and kidneys, with a consequent lowered resistance to disease.
All foods rich in sugar, such as candies, syrups, jams, jellies, "soda fountain treats," and rich, sweet desserts should be eaten in great moderation and never between meals nor on an empty stomach. This is especially true for children who should receive much of their sugar supply from sweet fruits, honey, molasses and first-class candy used with wisdom as dessert. 7 Mary Swartz Rose is authority for the statement that candy and the "delectables of the soda fountain and ice cream parlor," should be avoided by every one except at the end of a regular meal. Even then they are not desirable for children. She and other experts agree that candy should not be eaten by children until after their fifth year and then only the simplest kind and a minimum quantity as a dessert. 8 Cheap, highly colored candies should be avoided.
After a meal, a sweet dish, not too heavy or rich, gives one a satisfied feeling; but the habit of eating rich desserts is an acquired taste. The French and other continental peoples usually serve after a meal a very simple dessert, or more often some fruit in season. This latter custom is by far more hygienic. If heavy desserts are desired they should follow light meals; with a light dessert after a heavy meal.
The Word of Wisdom Confirmed. The Word of Wisdom advises the use of grains as food. It declares all grains good for man. Science has confirmed this view. They may be (and in the temperate climates they should be) "the staff of life." Everyone should use intelligence and demand that foods shall be as nature intended and that dependence shall not be placed on devitalized foods or a "broken staff." Again, the Word of Wisdom points the way to health and happiness; and again the prophetic power of Joseph Smith is made evident.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness.
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Eddy, W. H., Nutrition.
Lane, W. A., Secrets of Good Health.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health.
Stanley, L., and Cline, G. A., Foods, Their Selection and Preparation.
Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:14, 16.
2. Bogert, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 33.
3. Sherman, H. C., Chemistry of Food and Nutrition, p. 18.
4. McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition, Health 1934, pp. 16-17; Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 29-35, 395-397; Williams, H. S., Drugs Against Men, pp. 20-24.
5. McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, pp. 16-17.
6. Plimmer, R. H. A., Food, Health, Vitamins, p. 3; Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, pp. 36-40.
7. Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, pp. 183-185, 1934.
8. Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 419. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 13
"WHEAT FOR MAN"
"Nevertheless, wheat for man. . . . All grain is good for the food of man." 1
Wheat, Man's Staff of Life. It has already been shown that wheat is valuable as a food because it furnishes some protein (body building) and much starch or carbohydrate (fuel producing); also because it is a source of several necessary mineral elements, including calcium, iron and phosphorus; and especially because it contains vitamins B and E, indispensable to human health and happiness. While wheat may not be a complete food for man, it approaches that definition so nearly as to be in reality a "staff of life."
The Word of Wisdom, after declaring that "all grain is good for man," adds "nevertheless, wheat for man." This implies clearly that wheat is to be preferred over other grains in the dietary of man; that it more nearly supplies the needs of the human body than other grains.
This statement in the Word of Wisdom is supported by history. Wheat is the most ancient and most widely distributed of the grains. It has been used from times immemorial in all parts of the earth. Varieties of wheat are adapted for practically every condition of soil and climate. Wheat has always been held in the highest regard. Mythology records wheat as a divine gift to man. The nations of antiquity flourished most when wheat was their "staff of life." It has seemed always to be associated with high standards of progressive living, and does so today.
Science has made only a beginning in the study of this subject. However, as far as investigations have gone, it has become evident that the grains differ in nutritive value for various kinds of animals. For example, in Chapter 14 it will be shown that for cattle, corn is a better single food than wheat. The cause for this difference lies very probably in the chemical nature of the various grain proteins, concerning which much new knowledge is being developed. Dr. McCollum frankly declares that "no cereal grain has yet been studied which contains proteins superior to those of wheat." 2 All authorities agree that the "prominent place of wheat in the diet of mankind is justified by the results of experiments on animals." As far as modern science goes the statement in the Word of Wisdom, "nevertheless, wheat for man," is fully justified. For the people to whom the Word of Wisdom was given, living in a certain zone and under a certain climate, the statement is unquestionably correct. In countries where other grains thrive better, other grains than wheat may be used successfully in the human dietary. (see chapter 12)
The importance of wheat and wheat products in the human dietary justifies the following discussion.
Structure of the Wheat Kernel. There are three well-defined parts of the wheat kernel: (1) the bran or outer covering, (2) the germ, in which the new life is located, (3) the internal portion or endosperm, which forms the bulk of the kernel. The bran consists of four layers, the three inner coats of which are rich in protein (aleurone), minerals and vitamin B. The germ, under proper conditions of warmth and moisture will germinate, hence is the living part of the grain. It is very rich in vitamins B and E, in protein, fat and mineral matter. The endosperm or central part is composed of starch with about one-sixth as much gluten (protein) enmeshed in cellulose (woody fiber), but is devoid of vitamins and contains very little mineral substance. The organic phosphates, essential for the nutrition of brain and nerves, and the inorganic minerals, calcium and other phosphates concerned in the formation and growth of bone and teeth, are found mainly in the bran and germ, while the endosperm, from which white flour is made, is very poor in these important salts, containing less than one-tenth of the amount found in bran. 3 For all these reasons "wheat for man" is good advice. But to secure the full value of wheat, man should eat the whole grain.
The average difference in composition among whole wheat, white flour (the endosperm) and the bran (the outer covering), is shown in the following table:
Whole Wheat; White Flour; Bran
Water (moisture) ............ 12.00; 13.50; 13.00
Mineral Matter (ash) ........ 2.00; 0.40; 5.80
Protein (nitrogenous matter) ....... 12.00; 11.00; 15.40
Fat (ether extract) ......... 2.00; 1.25; 3.60
Starch and Sugar (carbohydrates) ............ 70.20; 73.60; 53.20
Cellulose (crude fiber) ..... 1.80; 0.25; 9.00
100.00; 100.00; 100.00
Why Wheat is Milled. Information concerning flour and the bread made from it is of special importance because in most families bread forms the largest item in the dietary—is in fact the "staff of life". Milling of the wheat kernel, resulting in refined flour, reduces the proportion of mineral elements and fiber, largely eliminates the vitamins, and increases the proportion of starch. Since the substances lost by such milling are valuable human foods, the reasons for producing refined flour, when it would be easier to render the whole kernel into flour, may well be sought.
There are three main reasons for milling: (1) Flour, white in color, is preferred by many people. To cater to this taste the highly refined flour is often bleached a sickly white. (2) It still seems to many people that to be able to eat white bread is proof of a superior station in life. (3) Most important, white flour keeps much better—weevils and worms do not care for it (they would starve to death on it!); it may therefore be shipped great distances, and kept indefinitely if necessary in the miller's or grocer's storerooms.
The present world-wide industrial era, in which commodities are exchanged over the earth, have forced many questionable practices on the public. While many advantages accrue to the food supply from long distance shipping facilities, such as making it possible to enjoy fruits and vegetables throughout all the year, yet there are disadvantages in the case of other commodities, which should be known and then corrected through modification of the daily diet.
The Value of White Bread. Refined white flour with a high gluten content makes a loaf that is palatable, light and spongy in texture, and because of its white color is more attractive to the eye. It is easily digested—with little residue—in fact, so completely digested that its very perfection may be its great drawback, for bulk is necessary in good digestion. Yet civilized man is living largely on white bread which, by that fact, is shown to be an acceptable food, though not necessarily fully nutritional.
Nutrition authorities differ somewhat on the value of white bread. Some prefer it because it is more quickly digested and is said to be non-irritating. All explain, however, that the necessary minerals and vitamins must then be provided from other sources.
Those who urge the use of white bread should remember that (1) most people do not know what other foods must be eaten to supply the deficiencies of white bread and other refined food products. In their ignorance of the subject, or lack of interest, the food of many people is faultily balanced and their bodies improperly nourished. (2) The average person is apt to take the bulk of his food from devitalized products, such as white bread, crackers, macaroni, breakfast cereals, pastry and other package food, convenient to purchase and easy to cook. By such a diet the natural craving for food is satisfied, for the time being, and there is little appetite left for the salads, vegetables, and fruits which should form the bulk of the food. "Eat your salad, Johnnie" or "You haven't eaten your vegetables" are remarks often heard at the family table. The common reply is "I'm not hungry, I can't eat my salad this time," or "I don't like this vegetable". Thus the body is gradually being impoverished. (3) Most people are not able to afford the fresh foods necessary to supplement the diet after devitalized foods are purchased and used for "the daily bread". Too many people use their scanty store to purchase foods which have been robbed of their most precious life-giving elements, either for commercial gain or convenience.
Hot Breads. The use of hot breads (whether as griddle cakes, waffles, rolls, biscuits or buns) is often questioned. They are difficult to masticate thoroughly and when taken with butter and syrup or other sweets are digested with difficulty. Therefore, they should be used very sparingly if at all, and never as the bulk of a meal. Dr. Rose states that they should never be eaten by children under 14 years of age and seldom thereafter. On this restriction list she also includes soft cakes and pastries. 4
The Value of Whole Wheat Bread. Whole wheat bread, as here discussed, means bread made from the flour resulting when the whole wheat kernel, bran and germ included, is very finely ground and made into a wholesome loaf. It does not refer to the coarse cracked wheat or bran bread nor to the "brown bread" which may be colored with molasses or otherwise and seldom consists of the entire 100% wheat kernel. Whole wheat, ground fine, gives just as much bulk as when coarsely ground and is much more desirable.
The evidence for the nutritional value of whole wheat bread has long been known. More than ninety years ago, the English chemist, Thomas Graham, on the basis of analytical studies of wheat and wheat flour, urged the British public, as many British health authorities do today, to use whole wheat flour. Indeed, in many parts, whole wheat bread continues to be known as Graham bread.
The valuable vitamins lost in milling for white flour, are needed by the body. Vitamin B, abundant in the germ and outer layers of the wheat kernel, is seldom sufficiently supplied in ordinary diets to meet the full demands of the body. Whole wheat bread helps supply this deficiency.
The wheat kernel contains five times or more mineral substances than does refined wheat flour. These mineral substances are of utmost importance in maintaining a proper composition of the blood. (see chapter 7) The following table shows that the minerals are found in smaller percentages in white wheat flour than in the whole wheat kernel. 5
White Wheat Flour ; Whole Wheat Kernel
Potassium .............. 0.520 ; 0.050
Sodium ................. 0.031 ; 0.110
Calcium ................ 0.050 ; 0.019
Magnesium .............. 0.130 ; 0.016
Sulphur ................ 0.198 ; 0.145
Chlorine ............... 0.084 ; 0.070
Phosphorus ............. 0.373 ; 0.088
There is in the wheat kernel ten times more potassium than in white flour; two and one-half times more calcium; eight times more magnesium; one and one-third times more sulphur; three times more phosphorus. The relatively unimportant sodium and chlorine, because they are obtained from common salt, either approach or exceed in white flour the percentage in the wheat kernel.
All the evidence points to whole wheat foods as the more completely nourishing food for man. 6 Exceptions are people who, because of some physiological idiosyncracy or stomach weakness, cannot use the whole wheat products. In such cases extra care must be taken to see that the needed vitamins B and E and food minerals are taken in some other form; for the sick person needs them quite as much if not more than the one who is well.
The need for some indigestible materials in the human diet is another reason why wheat, ground fine, is such a valuable food. The cellulose or fiber of plants cannot be considered as food because it is largely indigestible. Yet it has a distinct nutritional function, since it is necessary to have some substance in the bowels after the food has been absorbed to help cause their contents to pass along the alimentary tract. Without "bulk" in the bowels, furnished by fruits and vegetables as well as by grains, the "churning muscles" which cause peristalsis become stale, just as any muscle loses tone through lack of exercise. However, it must be reiterated that bulk alone will not prevent stasis in the large bowel (constipation); there must also be ample vitamin B, necessary for the health of the nerves controlling bowel action. Whole wheat contains the necessary roughage as well as vitamin B, while seaweed and slimy seeds contain no vitamins or minerals.
Roughage or bulk to encourage peristalsis must be bland and non-irritating to the alimentary tract or serious trouble may ensue. Natural wheat bran or whole wheat has been found to have no ill effect on the normal digestive tract, especially when ground as fine as desired or required. Besides, when thoroughly moistened in the digestive juices, natural bran is softened and is well utilized by normal people. Many interesting experiments have been undertaken to prove this. One such was reported by Rose, MacLeod, Valteich, Funnell and Newton, entitled "The Influence of Bran on the Alimentary Tract". Bran in different quantities was fed to human beings and to laboratory animals with the results carefully noted.
"In every one of the 22 rats fed bran as well as the two controls which ate no bran, the tissues were diagnosed as normal, no lesions of any kind being found. Therefore it is concluded that bran, fed in moderate quantities, such as is usual in human consumption, will not damage the tissues of the normal alimentary canal." 7
Corroborative experiences with human beings are also quoted.
The same experiment showed that bulk alone is not sufficient to avoid constipation; for when fiber not containing vitamin B was given there was no improvement; but when bran which was rich in vitamin B was added there was marked improvement. Thus it should be understood that while it is important to have roughage in the alimentary tract, the most important factor of bowel health is vitamin B.
The use of whole grain cereal and bread for children is questioned by some nutrition experts, even though it be ground very fine. However, such an opinion is not universal. Dr. Mary Swartz Rose in her food program for children, even for the second year, says that from one-half an ounce to one ounce of thoroughly cooked cereal may be taken daily by the healthy two-year-old. Preferably this cereal should be prepared from the whole grains. 8 This advice is given for everyone, throughout childhood as well as for adults, and she insists that cereal foods be eaten without sugar. 9 Also that hot breads be avoided and only a day or two old bread eaten so that thorough mastication may be encouraged. 10
For the normal person the use of whole grains as bread or cereal properly prepared, may be highly recommended. However, when the alimentary tract is sensitive, which may easily happen as a result of a too concentrated diet of starches and sweets or meat, then of course, all fibre of fruits and vegetables as well as grain must be avoided.
It is poor economy, physiologically and financially, to discard all the essential roughage from the diet, eating only the refined foods of the modern dietary, and then to spend countless dollars in buying seaweed, slimy seeds and other bulk-forming products to do the work which natural food was intended to do. It is far worse still to use drugs or mineral oil to overcome constipation for, in time, distress and disease are sure to follow, for vitamins A, D, and E tend to be absorbed by the oil and pass out of the body. One cannot be properly nourished under such conditions. This is explained by R. A. Dutcher, Harris and others in the Journal of Nutrition for September, 1934, also in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association for November 17, 1934.
An Experiment With Whole Wheat. The value of whole wheat in the diet has been shown by countless experiences. Dr. M. J. Rowlands and Dr. Ethel Browning reported an interesting experiment as follows.
"Twenty rats of the same breed and the same age were selected. These were divided into two lots, each of five males and five females. Those in Cage A were fed with wholemeal and those in Cage B with white bread.
"On August 2, the occupants of Cage A (wholemeal) weighed 840 grammes and those of Cage B (white bread) 952 grammes. So that there should be no question as to the animals suffering from a lack of variety of food their diet was varied from week to week.
"Each cage was provided with a food hopper identical in size, and Dr. Browning undertook the feeding. At no time were the food hoppers allowed to be empty; they were replenished immediately. While the rats in Cage A (wholemeal) never finished their supplies, those in Cage B (whitebread) were always wanting more. The actual weight of food consumed during the experiment by the rats in Cage A (wholemeal) was 72 oz., by those in Cage B (white bread) 199 oz.; i. e. more than double the amount consumed in Cage A.
"All the animals were weighed at stated intervals.
Cage A (Wholemeal) Cage B (White Bread)
August 2 .......... 840 grammes 952 grammes
September 5 ....... 1,316 grammes 1,176 grammes
September 15 ...... 1,484 grammes 1,211 grammes
"It will thus be seen that in the thirty-four days between August 2 and September 5, the rats fed on wholemeal, although they did not eat all the food given them, increased in weight by 476 grammes, while those fed on white bread increased by only 224 grammes, while in the next ten days the "wholemealers" added another 168 grammes, or nearly five times as much as those fed on white bread.
"Further, the 'wholemealers' remained sleek and healthy in appearance, while those fed on white bread showed obvious signs of debility, were listless in movement, lost their hair, and showed every sign of dying. One has, in fact, died, its weight at its death being 63 grammes, or roughly 7 grammes less than its weight at the commencement of the experiment."
Experiment 2
"Four rats were fed on a deficiency diet containing no vitamin B. At the end of a month two of the rats were suffering from complete paralysis of the hind legs. They had lost weight and were having 'fits.' It was decided to place these two animals on test, the worst being placed on a diet of wholemeal, and the other, not so paralyzed, on white bread. Within three hours the rat that was given wholemeal containing the vital vitamin B, which it ate with avidity, was rapidly recovering, but the other, hardly touching the white bread, continued to sink. When wholemeal was offered, it ate ravenously." 11
One should not deduce from the above experiment that wholemeal as food will cause unusual size or unnecessary fat. Indeed the exact opposite is the case. It is the excessive use of starches and sweets which tend to cause overweight or underweight. The use of wholemeal cereal and bread, with fruit, vegetables, milk and meat (sparingly) will cause one to reach normal development, being neither too fat nor too thin. However, one would much rather be healthy though plump than to be thin, if ill-health were the price paid. There can be little doubt about the superior value of bread made from whole wheat flour, though it should be said that the too abundant use of bread, whether refined or whole, or other cereal foods, should be avoided, primarily because bread is acid-forming and must be balanced with other alkaline foods.
Our present knowledge of the nutritional value of wheat is in full confirmation of the Word of Wisdom. The use of grain as man's food is well established from earliest times. The Word of Wisdom therefore but adds its sanction when it states "wheat for man".
Diets of "Nature People". (See also chapter 15) If proof were needed to substantiate these findings of science among human beings, it could be furnished by the Arabs and the hill-tribes in India, whose food is largely coarsely ground, unmilled grain products and amongst whom diseases of the alimentary tract—ulcers, appendicitis and cancer—are practically unknown. 12
Dr. McCarrison states:
"For nine years of my professional life my duties lay in a remote part of the Himalayas, among isolated races, far removed from civilization. Certain of these races are of magnificent physique, preserving until late in life the characters of youth; they are unusually fertile and long-lived, and endowed with nervous systems of notable stability.
"During the period of my association with these people (nine years) I never saw a case of asthenic dyspepsia, of gastric or duodenal ulcer, of mucous colitis, or of cancer, although my operating list averaged over 400 operations a year." 13
Another eminent authority, Dr. Ernest H. Tipper, who served for many years in the West African Service, in his book The Cradle of the World and Cancer, a Disease of Civilization, makes the statement:
"The average daily number of cases seen during my twenty years service in West Africa was about sixty, exclusive of official rating, yet I only saw six cases of cancer altogether; five of these were in coast stations, the other one away in the grass country, but not one amongst those two million people in the heart of the Niger Delta: and I only once came across a case of appendicitis when in charge of a coast station, and that was not a clear case. The Equator is the cradle of the world, and amongst the race of which I write, where conventionalism is absent and food perfectly natural and abundant, where the natives have never lost touch with the first principles of feeding, and there is no such thing as constipation, there is no cancer. At the first dawn of civilization amongst them this disease makes its appearance; where civilization is advanced, it is rife." 14
The diet of these nature people is described as consisting of unmilled grains, fruits and vegetables, with a certain amount of milk and butter and goat's meat only on feast days—just such a diet as is outlined in the Word of Wisdom.
It may be said here that from earliest times students of the subject have believed that a close relationship exists between disease and diet. For example, since the days of Galen (131-201 A.D.) physicians have urged a natural low meat diet as a preventative and cure of cancer—such as milk, eggs, whole grain cereals, fruits and leafy vegetables. In 1923 Dr. Alfred C. Jordan of London published the following dietary principles as a prevention of cancer: (1) Eat live foods (milk, cream, butter, cheese, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts); (2) laxative foods, fresh fruits and vegetables; (3) avoid foods that decompose readily in the bowels (meat, fowl, game, and sugar); (4) avoid all food and drink that irritate the mucous lining of stomach or intestine (pickles, vinegar, strong condiments and all alcoholic beverages).
Dr. D. T. Quigley reported in July, 1935, a study covering ten years, and including 2,707 patients. He reports that all were found to be living on diets more or less deficient in minerals, especially calcium, iodine, iron, in all of the vitamins, and in roughage. Over 95% of them suffered from constipation and other stomach or intestinal disease. It is very likely that diet may be found a valuable ally in the fight against cancer. 15
These and other studies make it evident that in very truth, the counsel given in the Word of Wisdom will lead one to enjoy the blessing of health, that all may "run and not be weary, may walk and not faint."
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition.
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Eddy, W. H., Nutrition.
Hindhede, Fuldkommen Sundhed, 1934.
Hornibrook, E. A., Whole Meal, 1927.
Lane, W. A., Blazing the Health Trail.
Lane, W. A., Diseases of Civilization.
Lane, W. A., Secrets of Good Health.
McKellop, M., Food Values, 1925.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health.
Ullmann, E. V., Diet in Sinus Infections and Colds, 1934.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July, 1932, pp. 133-155.
_________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:17, 16.
2. McCollum and Simmonds, The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition, 1925, p. 129.
3. Swanson, Wheat Flour and Diet, pp. 105-107.
4. Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934, pp. 172, 196.
5. Forbes, Bulletin No. 256, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station.
6. Chaney, and Ahlborn, Nutrition, pp. 218-219.
7. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July, 1932, p. 147.
8. Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934, pp. 150, 158, 159.
9. Ibid., pp. 158, 172, 196.
10. Ibid., pp. 172, 196.
11. The Staff of Life, New Health Society of Great Britain, pp. 15, 16.
12. As reported by Dr. McCarrison, Director, Deficiency Disease Inquiry of Pasteur Institute, Coonor, South India.
13. Lane, Wm. A., Blazing the Health Trail, 1929, p. 31; also, Hindhede, Fuldkommen Sundhed, p. 156.
14. Lane, W. A., Diseases of Civilization, 1929, p. 55.
15. Sure, Barnett, Hygeia, September, 1937, p. 792. See, also, Hoffman, Frederick L., Diet and Cancer, 1937. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 14
"CORN FOR THE OX"
"Corn for the ox and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals." 1
Food for Animals. The above statement in the Word of Wisdom implies that seeds of a certain plant may serve the needs of one kind of animal better than of another. Little careful study has as yet been made of this subject, yet present knowledge confirms well this principle foretold in the Word of Wisdom.
Varying Composition of Foodstuffs. While much has been learned about nutrition during the last few decades, nevertheless every sane student of the subject is convinced that the borders of nutritional knowledge will continue to be extended during the coming years. That which has been learned may be safely used, but it will be added to, for better use, as new discoveries are made.
This is especially evident in the study of the component parts of the commonest foodstuffs. Most of them may contain protein, but not necessarily the same kind of protein; many may contain fat, but not with the same properties; all may contain carbohydrates, but of different kinds. It does not follow that every kind of protein, fat or carbohydrate has the same nutritive value for every kind of animal.
Then there may be present in foodstuffs some unknown substances of distinct physiological effects, many of them as yet undetermined. This whole field is only partly explored. Whenever it is touched new knowledge is uncovered.
Physiological Effects of Different Rations. Moreover, it has long been recognized, though poorly defended, that the same food or ration, though complete according to present standards, may not have the same effect on different animals. Each class of animals has its own specific nutritive needs and responses. Likewise, two different rations, both apparently complete, may have very different effects on the same class of animals. For example, two investigators, Watson and Hunter, 2 fed one lot of rats with boiled oatmeal and skim milk, and another with bread and skim milk. Of the fourteen rats fed the oatmeal, twelve died; of the rats fed bread, none died. In another experiment, of 93 young, born of meat-fed rats, only 19 were alive at the end of two months, while of 97 young, born of bread and milk fed rats, 82 were alive and healthy at the end of the experimental period. The foods, oatmeal, bread and meat all met dietary standards, but bread and milk was the best combination for the rats.
"Corn for the Ox". One of the most enlightening experiments in this field was conducted at the State Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Wisconsin. 3
Sixteen shorthorn heifer calves, six months old, were divided into four lots of four animals each. All were fed normal rations balanced according to approved standards. However, one lot was fed wholly with products of the corn plant—grain, stover and gluten feed; another with products of the wheat plant—wheat meal, straw and gluten feed, the third with products of the oat plant, and the last with a ration made up one-third each of the corn, wheat and oat rations.
The experiment was continued throughout four years. At various intervals the animals were weighed and photographed. Digestion tests were made, urine and other excreta analyzed, the milk weighed and tested; several of the animals were slaughtered and the meat and fat subjected to chemical study. It was a very thorough and painstaking experiment.
Almost from the beginning the different rations had different effects upon the animals. All increased in weight but the gain was largest with the corn-fed and smallest with the wheat-fed animals. After a few months it was noticed that in addition to the increase in weight, the corn-fed animals looked best, had smoother coats, fuller barrels, and were generally in a better state of nutrition; while the animals that were wheat-fed looked worst, with rough coats, small of barrel, gaunt and thin in appearance as if in a low state of nutrition.
More conclusive results were obtained when the cows had calves. The corn-fed cows carried their calves to within a few days of the normal time, but the wheat-fed mothers dropped their calves two to five weeks before the calculated time. The calves from corn-fed cows weighed an average of 73 pounds at birth; from wheat-fed cows, 46 pounds. All of the calves from the corn-fed cows lived and were vigorous and healthy; while of the four calves born to the wheat-fed group one was born dead, one died 12 hours and another 12 days after birth.
At the next time of calving, the corn-fed cows dropped four calves weighing 84 pounds each, all of which lived and were normal in every respect; but the wheat-fed group dropped only two calves, weighing 52 pounds each, one of which lived nine hours and the other 22 hours. One of the cows of this latter group died from anthrax and another had no more young.
The corn-fed cows gave most milk; the wheat-fed least. In one year the corn-fed group gave three times more milk than the wheat-fed animals.
These apparently decisive experiments were then made more emphatic. After three years, the ration given the cows was changed. The wheat-fed cows, which had done so poorly, were placed on a corn ration and soon became healthy and vigorous, looked better, and dropped normal calves at normal times. On the other hand, the vigorous corn-fed animals that were placed on the wheat ration declined in health, became afflicted with stiffness and swollen joints, and had to be returned to the corn ration.
The two groups of animals that received the oat and the mixed ration stood, in all the tests, between the corn and wheat-fed lots.
Conclusion. The above experiment certainly shows that corn is the best food for cattle. In the words of the experimenters, the wheat-fed cattle were unable to perform normally and with vigor the physiological processes of life; but the corn-fed animals were strong, healthy, in splendid condition, and their calves were of great vigor. With this experiment in mind it seems indeed remarkable that Joseph Smith so many years before the birth of the science of nutrition, would declare "corn for the ox".
The value of "oats for the horse" and the other grains mentioned in verse 17 for the animals and beasts of the field is generally accepted knowledge today, though scientific demonstration is not yet available. In view of past experience, as new knowledge accumulates, the correctness of the other statements at the head of this chapter are likely to be more strikingly confirmed. The grains best suited to the needs of various animals will doubtless be found to correspond with the dictum of the Word of Wisdom.
Application to Human Beings. It is clearly evident that food has a profound effect on the health and well-being of the individual and of the race as well. If the food eaten during the period of pregnancy could have such an effect upon the general health and resistance of the cows and their young in the experiment just described, surely there must be similar results to be expected in the feeding of human mothers. This has been found to be true. Every wise expectant mother will study well the right kind of food to procure health and vigor for herself and her offspring. She will understand that she must secure blood especially rich in all vitamins and the necessary minerals as well as those furnishing other requirements. Children were meant to be well born; parents must understand what is their share in this grave responsibility.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness.
McCollum, E. V., and Simonds, N., Newer Knowledge of Nutrition, 1925.
University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture, Research Bulletin 17.
University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture, Research Bulletin 49. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:17.
2. Journal of Physiology, vol. 34, p. 112, 1906.
3. Research Bulletin No. 17, 1912, Hart, McCollum, Steenbock and Humphrey. _________________________________________________________________________________Chapter 15
"MEAT . . . . SPARINGLY"
"Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; and it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." 1
Building Foods or "Protein". Protein is the name given to the food constituents which are used in the body to produce growth in the young, and to repair or renew the tissues torn down by the stress of life at all ages. Protein differs from fats and carbohydrates in ultimate composition, in the possession of the element nitrogen. Proteins are found in all natural foodstuffs, but of varying composition, in differing proportions and with varying digestibility. The many proteins differ also in nutritive value. For instance, the proteins in wheat are not as useful for some animals as are the proteins in corn. It is well established that the proteins are made up of certain chemical compounds, known as amino acids, of which there are many. The difference in the proteins is possibly due to the different amino acids of which they are composed. It has been shown recently that ten amino acids are indispensable to body growth; and that the many others are not needed. 2 This whole subject is being studied intensively in several laboratories and much new information may shortly be expected which will clarify numerous obscure problems in nutrition. Meanwhile, the fact remains that proteins are indispensable for the maintenance of life.
The following table of selected analyses, together with the brief table in chapter 10, illustrates the presence of protein in all ordinary foodstuffs. The percentages vary, but protein is always present.
Calories Proteins Fats per lb.
Beef (loin) .................15.9 17.3 1025
Beef (kidney) ...............16.6 4.8 520
Pork (ham) ..................12.4 50.0 2345
Chicken .....................19.3 16.3 1045
Codfish .....................16.5 0.4 325
Halibut .....................18.6 5.2 565
Salmon ......................22.0 12.8 950
Beans (navy, dried) .........22.5 1.8 1605
Beans (soy, dried) ..........33.0 21.0 1993
Peas ........................24.6 1.0 1655
Lentils .....................25.7 1.0 1620
Walnuts .....................18.4 64.4 3200
Wheat Kernels ...............13.8 1.9 1675
There are also small amounts of inorganic mineral matters in flesh foods, usually under one percent.
Animal Protein. Meat, fish, eggs, milk and cheese are foods rich in protein—the white of egg and lean meat being nearly pure protein. The proteins in these animal foods are easily and completely (97%) digested, and in most cases are valuable as healthful articles of diet. Milk, cheese and eggs are most valuable and should form the bulk of the protein requirement. To many persons these have the added advantage that they do not require the taking of life. However, diet experts agree that a certain amount of flesh food is beneficial, even necessary, in the normal diet, especially in severe, cold climates.
Milk, an important source of protein, contains other valuable food substances. It is a well balanced food, with about 87% of water, the remainder being 3.3% of protein, 4.0% of fat, 5.0% of milk sugar and 0.7% of mineral matters including calcium and phosphorus. Milk also contains vitamins A, D, G, and some B, especially if cows are fed on green pasture. Cheese is the protein separated from milk, often associated with some mineral and fat. Butter is the fat separated from milk. Whey, which contains the milk sugar and most of the minerals of the milk, is an excellent food. It is often evaporated to form a palatable cheese, widely used in European nations, and could, with profit to the health, be more often used in this country.
Eggs contain about 74.0% of water. The 26% of dry matter is made up of protein and fat in about equal proportions. The fat, however, as also the vitamins A, B, D, E, and G, and the mineral salts occur in the yolk. The white of egg is rich in vitamin G.
Vegetable Protein. Protein is found in all plant tissues in varying amounts. Dried peas, beans and lentils contain as much protein as lean beef and even the grains contain much protein. However, since vegetable proteins are rather dense and solid in character, they are digested less rapidly and completely than animal proteins. Atwater reports the percentage digestibility of cereals to be 85, of dried legumes 78, of vegetables 83, and of fruits 85. This lower digestibility of vegetables as compared with animal protein does not of itself affect the value of vegetable protein in properly supporting human life.
It is believed by many that grains, fruits and vegetables are chiefly valuable as foods for other than their protein content. This is incorrect, for a properly selected low meat or wholly vegetarian diet, if supplemented with milk, cheese and eggs, will support life completely. The above conclusion is fully borne out by experiments carried out by men of the highest professional training and integrity. (see chapter 10)
Perhaps the most notable investigation of the kind in this country was conducted in 1903 and 1904 by Dr. Russell H. Chittenden, then Director of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. He and four of his professional colleagues, with thirteen men detailed from the Hospital Corps of the United States Army, and eight university students trained in athletics, were placed on a diet low in animal protein, in some cases wholly vegetarian. The metabolism of these men was followed with detailed scrutiny. The men remained in good health or improved in health, and showed an increase in physical vigor and strength. Dr. Chittenden concluded from these exhaustive experiments that the ordinary daily intake of animal protein may be reduced one-third or one-half with distinct bodily benefit; that "too great indulgence in flesh foods may have its serious side"; and that all good foods may be used safely in moderation. 3
Experiments of equal or greater importance have been conducted for nearly half a century by Dr. M. Hindhede of Denmark. 4 Under his leadership in the Danish Institute of Nutrition, numerous notable experiments have shown conclusively the beneficial effects of a low protein diet, and also the possibility of subsisting on an exclusively vegetarian diet with resulting increased mental and bodily health.
During the World War Dr. Hindhede had the opportunity of carrying out the greatest large scale nutrition experiment in the world's history. The war blockade compelled Denmark which imported cattle and hog feeds, to slaughter and sell four-fifths of its hogs and to reduce the dairy cattle by 34%. The farm products thus saved were made a part of the new dietary of the Danish people. A low meat, that is a low protein diet, became necessary. A "war bread" was made from whole rye flour, mixed with about 15% of wheat bran. By governmental order, under Hindhede's advice, each person (from October, 1917) was allowed a daily diet, carefully weighed out, of very little meat, small amounts of butter and milk, and substantial quantities of the above bread, cereals and potatoes. Alcoholic beverages were forbidden; tea and coffee were unavailable. Ordinarily, the average person would turn up his nose at such a diet. Within a few months, the beneficial effects of this diet upon the national health became evident. During the year of the experiment the Danish death rate fell nearly one-fifth, and became the lowest ever known in Europe. When, in October, 1918, the influenza epidemic broke out, Denmark was the only non-combatant nation in Europe with a death rate, during the course of the disease, below the pre-war mortality records. Abstinence from alcohol, tea and coffee, no doubt was a great factor in winning these remarkable results, but careful statistical studies have shown that the simple, natural diet was a prime factor in reducing the normal death rate and in giving the nation resistance against the influenza scourge.
From these experiments, and many others that might be quoted, it may be held that men can live well on vegetable protein, alone, but that flesh foods need not be prohibited. An understanding moderation in dietetics is of first importance, and is the spirit of the message of the Word of Wisdom.
Meat as Food. Meat dishes are easily prepared, are very appetizing, and permit of a pleasing variety in the menu. If ease of preparation and digestion were the chief consideration, one could say offhand that animal foods should form the bulk of the protein supply. But the effects of excessive meat eating show that meats should be eaten in great moderation.
During digestion, chemical changes occur in the stomach and intestines which make a part of the food soluble so that through the intricate process known as assimilation, it may be absorbed into the blood stream. Many products of meat metabolism are distinctly acid (uric acid and others) and may cause serious harm to the body if excessive in quantity. Besides, the waste products from meat, that is, protein-metabolism, are disposed of through the kidneys, therefore, excessive meat eating may place an undue strain upon these delicate organs. It is well substantiated that kidney diseases increase in a community with an increase of meat in the diet above that desirable for good health.
The undigested portion of food is passed through the intestines. If too much meat is eaten this undigested portion may decompose in the bowels, and this intestinal putrefaction is usually attended with discomfort and ill health.
Indeed, intestinal poisoning from excessive meat eating is not uncommon. This has been shown by numerous experiments. For example, Dr. Pawlov, world famous physiologist, in a delicate operation, directed the blood of a dog directly from the intestine to the heart, without passing through the liver. As long as the dog was fed vegetable food, he lived on as usual, but when he was fed flesh foods he suffered convulsions and died. This would indicate that in the decomposition of animal protein poisonous products are formed which are removed to some extent by the liver. Carniverous wild animals are characterized by large livers. Man has a relatively small liver. 5
Within recent months it has been shown experimentally that rats fed a high protein diet are likely to become subject to nephritis. 6 Moreover, the heavy meat eater does not as a rule eat sufficient amounts of the other necessary foods. Milk and its products are seldom used and only a small supply of vegetables. This, as has been shown in earlier chapters, is a dangerous practice; especially since an excessive use of meats, always acid-forming, disturbs the acid-alkaline balance of the body. The ingestion of the necessary minerals and vitamins is also diminished when meat forms a large part of the dietary. (see chapter 9)
The old doctrine that meat is peculiarly able to endow men with strength, endurance and courage has long been shown to be fallacious. Vegetarians have often excelled in competitive sports. This was clearly shown in the Chittenden and Hindhede experiments to which reference has already been made.
The economic phase of meat eating is important. Meat proteins are more expensive than vegetable proteins. The animal often consumes six to eight pounds of vegetable protein, and other valuable foods, to produce one pound of animal protein. This economic waste points to the desirability of the substitution of vegetable for animal protein, in many cases.
Naturally, children need more easily digested and assimilated protein food than adults, since they have constant need to form new body substances. This is best met by the use of milk, eggs, and cheese. Feeding meat to children is questioned by many safe authorities. Therefore, where the income is small, children must be given special consideration in all dietary matters so that they may receive sufficient protein in other than animal forms. The nursing or expectant mother has also special need of protein and her needs are of prime importance.
It must be emphasized again that while there must be some protein in the food every day, it may be other than meat protein. It is unwise to eat meat and economize in milk, cheese and eggs. In summer, when the consumption of meat should be curtailed, great care should be exercised to secure protein from other sources.
How Much Protein is Necessary? One may well ask: how much animal or vegetable protein should be eaten to keep well? Food chemists and dietitians have agreed, with few exceptions, that as a general guide about one-sixth of the food eaten (on any basis) should be protein, and that this amount should be subdivided into animal and vegetable proteins. 7
The actual amount of protein required would differ somewhat in different climates and for people of different occupations. Naturally, those who perform the most vigorous kinds of work need more building food (protein) than those who work in offices. It is generally agreed from experimental evidence that a man weighing 150 pounds may get along on one ounce of protein daily, but that as a matter of safety this amount should be doubled. Even this is a low protein amount. The confusion in this field is due to the fact that many dietary standards have been based upon actual practice, often faulty and opposed to the best knowledge. Children need less, and people doing hard physical work need more. The average high total amount of protein for an adult male is one hundred grams (3 1/2 oz. dry weight) per day. Other investigators hold that half or two-thirds of this amount is sufficient to maintain a person in good health. Of this total daily protein, not more than one-third need be from the animal kingdom—as flesh in cold weather, or milk, eggs or cheese—while the other two-thirds may be from a vegetable source. 8
If much more than this amount of protein (3 1/2 oz.) be eaten the body may suffer. Expensive protein is burned in place of the cheaper and more healthful carbohydrates. Mary Swartz Rose claims that if children have an ample supply of milk, eggs and vegetable protein, meat is unnecessary. 9 When the child is eight or nine years old it may be given a little meat, not more than one ounce a day, 10 or better, a little more two or three times a week. Even during adolescence, it should be taken in moderation, from two to four ounces a day at most. 11
Economy in Meat Eating. One-third of the American dietary consists of meat. This is too high both from the physiological and the economic point of view. Meat is necessarily expensive. Only a small portion of the vegetable protein fed to an animal becomes available as human food. Often there is a loss of three-fourths of the vegetable protein used in the transformation. Undoubtedly, if the present amount of meat consumed in America were cut in half, better health, greater resistance to disease, keener zest of life, and truer enjoyment would wait upon the people. Dr. Sherman's advice that not more than one-sixth of the food budget should be spent for meat instead of one-third as at present should be heeded. 12
Statistics indicate that in America there is a distinct trend towards the reduction of the consumption of meat, with an increase in the use of dairy products, vegetables, and fruits—a trend towards a more wholesome dietary. A great variety of desirable food products are now found in every village, to be used by all who desire health.
Carnivorous Men and Beasts. The Eskimo and all carnivorous animals live almost entirely on meat and fish, with an addition of a good part of blubber or fat, and maintain good health. What is the explanation? First, it must be remembered that the Word of Wisdom was given to people living in a temperate climate and under civilized conditions. Second, and of more importance, flesh-eating animals feed upon all parts of the carcass, the internal organs as well as the muscle meat, and often drink the blood. From such sources they obtain their minerals and vitamins. Third, they eat their meat raw or practically so, and thus preserve the vitamins which would be destroyed by cooking. That is, they eat natural foods. Fourth, in season they eat many eggs from sea birds, milk from reindeer. Both the milk and the eggs are rich in calcium and vitamins.
Thus nature provides for the need which exists in sections where meat must be the main food. These Northern people could not, in a hot climate, eat meat to the same degree, cooked as chops, steaks and roasts, and survive in health over long periods of time, and for generations.
A Comparison. A comparison of the findings of modern science regarding the eating of meat, with the injunction of the Word of Wisdom given over one hundred years ago, is most interesting. Two modern scientists have used almost the exact words employed by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Dr. Mottram, Professor of Physiology in the University of London says:
"Meat is chiefly of value as a source of protein. . . . It is, however, wise to use it in moderation (italics ours) and to substitute milk and cheese for it whenever possible. This is true from the points of view of individual and national economy as explained above. The idea that meat promotes energy above all foods is a myth that lingers on. Possibly the myth has its roots in some old folk lore, for the scientific ground, if there ever was any for it, disappeared years ago. . . . To sum up: Meats are dear foods; they could be partly or wholly replaced by cheese and milk." 13
Another distinguished scientist, Dr. Henry C. Sherman, Professor of Chemistry in Columbia University says:
"The undesirable putrefactive bacteria find a favorable medium in meat. It is partly for this reason that meat should be eaten sparingly (italics ours) and when eaten should always be well chewed so as to reduce it to the smallest possible particles in the hope that its putrefactive bacteria will be largely killed by the gastric juice." 14
Moderation in meat eating is taught by nearly all students of nutrition. The Word of Wisdom declares that meats are to be used sparingly.
"In Times of Famine and Cold". Meats have the power to sustain life for a time if nothing else is eaten, provided that the blood and internal organs—heart, kidneys, liver and brains—are eaten. Under such conditions, the proteins which normally are body builders are burned and used as energy producers. It is clear therefore that in times of famine there could be no objection to using meat as the only article of diet.
In hot weather the meat intake should be reduced, and vegetable proteins substituted.
Professor Mottram, speaking of climate and meat eating says:
"Proteins are rather wastefully utilized by the body and a point for the vegetarian is that there is less wastefulness with cereal proteins than with meat proteins. A practical outcome is that in hot weather, or in the tropics, the proteins should be cut to the minimum and vegetable protein practically substituted for animal protein." 15 (Italics ours.)
The Word of Wisdom Confirmed. At the time that the Word of Wisdom was given, meat, when it could be obtained, was largely used by all classes. It was generally looked upon as the best and most necessary food for full health. Those who raised their voices in opposition to this view were held to be fanatical, untrustworthy "food faddists". Alas! Some people hold that opinion today!
It was therefore a courageous departure from accepted practice to teach that meat should be used "sparingly", and further to suggest that man may live without meat as implied in the words, "they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold or famine".
The prophetic power of Joseph Smith is emphasized in the recent demonstration by the modern science of nutrition that meat should, indeed, form a minor part of the human dietary, and that, in fact, the plant kingdom contains the necessary food constituents characteristic of meat.
The Word of Wisdom does not contain a prohibition against meat eating, but urges its sparing use. Unfortunately, this advice is not generally observed, and man's health suffers in consequence. Many people eat too much meat; a few do not eat enough.
The advice in the Word of Wisdom concerning the use of meat is proof of the inspiration of the modern Prophet. How could any man of his own knowledge dare to teach, in the name of God, so long ago—long before the science of human nutrition was born—truths which coincide so startlingly with modern findings? Not one word in the revelation could be changed for the better by the most advanced food chemist of our day!
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Chittenden, Physiological Economy in Nutrition, 1913.
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Fisher, I., and Fisk, How to Live, 1931.
Hindhede, M., Die Neue Ernaehrungslehre, 1923.
Hindhede, M., Fuldkommen Sundhed, 1934.
Hindhede, M., Sund, Billig, og Velsmagende Kost, 1935.
Lusk, G., The Science of Nutrition, 1919.
McCollum, E. V., and Becker, J. E., Food, Nutrition and Health, 1935.
McCollum, E. V., and Simonds, N., Newer Knowledge of Nutrition, 1925.
Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934.
Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, 1934.
Stanley, L., and Cline, J. A., Foods, Their Selection and Preparation, 1935. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:12, 13; see also, 49:18, 19.
2. Rose, W. C., Science, October 1, 1937, p. 298.
3. Chittenden, Physiological Economy in Nutrition, 1913.
4. Hindhede. M., Die Neue Ernaehrungslehre, 1923; also Hindhede, M., Fuldkommen Sundhed, 1934.
5. Hindhede, M., Fuldkommen Sundhed, 1934, pp. 142, 143, 1934.
6. Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 109, No. 15 October, 1937.
7. Sherman, H. C., Food Products, 1924, p. 250.
8. Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family, p. 130.
9. Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, p. 173; also Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness, p. 419.
10. Ibid., p 183.
11. Ibid., p. 196.
12. Sherman, H. C., Food Products, 1924, p. 250.
13. Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family, pp. 216, 217, Nisbet & Co.
14. Sherman, H. C., Food and Health, pp. 61, 62, 1934.
15. Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family, p. 76, Nisbet & Co. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 16
HEALTHFUL DRINKS
"And barley for mild drinks, as also other grain." 1
Definition. The Word of Wisdom is explicit as to what man shall not drink but in only one place does it mention what shall be drunk for health. If the drinks most commonly used by man are injurious then one must define and advocate some which are appetizing and health-giving. It is clearly evident that the "will and word of the Lord" is not intended to be a "thou shalt not" for all appetizing drinks but only for those which are definitely injurious to the human system.
The term "hot drinks" (which are forbidden in the Word of Wisdom) may be fairly defined as follows: Any drink regardless of temperature, which contains a drug the action of which affects the heart or nervous system and which is habit-forming. (see chapter 7) Such a definition would include not only all kinds of alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea and chocolate, but any and all drinks, advertised to "give you a lift" or "pick you up in 5 minutes". It includes iced tea and coffee, for they contain the same drugs as when hot. Moreover, drinks that are icy cold are as injurious as those taken too hot, whether soda fountain drinks or home made fruit drinks. Ice water is equally undesirable.
Water and Health. The drink most precious is clear, pure water, which is by far the most satisfying thirst quencher. Shakespeare speaks of "honest water which ne'er left man in the mire". Another writer has said that "drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in debt, nor his wife a widow."
"Beautiful water! There is no blood in its crystal depths, no madness and no murder in its foam! It never broke a mother's heart! It never ruined a reputation! It never sent a poor wretch shrieking to the gallows! No poison bubbles on its brink! Never did pale-faced wife, or starving child, or broken-hearted mother weep into it a bitter tear; never did drunkard howl back from his deathbed a fearful curse upon it! There is no curse here. . . .
"Young women, in the glory of your womanly beauty, speak out and tell us; young men, in the majesty of your intellectual power, stand up and tell us. Have we not common sense on our side when we would dash from the lips of the young forever the drink that debases and degrades, and give them as their best and purest beverage the gift of God, brewed in beautiful places for His children?" 2
The author of the above is John B. Gough, the remarkable orator. He uttered the words with a glass of water in his hand.
About two-thirds of the body weight is water. All the processes of living, including digestion, depend upon the circulation of liquids freely within the body. It is the concensus of opinion that since an average size man loses by means of the lungs, skin and kidneys, about 80 ounces of water every twenty-four hours; and as this loss has to be made good, about four pints (eight glasses) of water must be taken in an average day.
This should be taken largely between meals and not more than a glass at a time. It should be taken slowly and whether or not one feels thirsty, for the need is there even though not recognized. However, no hard and fast rules may be given, since the amount should vary according to the activity of the individual, the warmth of the day, and the amount of liquid present in the food.
Most people are unaware that many of their physical discomforts, including "hacking coughs" and frequent colds, are a result of an insufficient supply of water as a part of their daily diet. Also, the waste products of metabolism may be completely carried off through the eliminative organs only when there is a sufficient liquid intake. However, one must not take too much liquid for then it becomes a tax on the kidneys and bladder. Again, moderation and intelligence are the keywords of health.
Vegetable Juices. These are very desirable in the daily menu, for they contain in abundance different mineral salts and vitamins. By right combinations and judicious seasoning they may be made very palatable as well as nutritious. Such vegetables as carrots, beets, celery and rutabagas are especially desirable for their vitamin and mineral content. The well equipped modern kitchen has a vegetable juice extractor and the wise homemaker serves a raw vegetable or vegetable juice to her family at least once a day. They are appetizing and refreshing and by proper seasoning make a real health drink.
Fruit Juices. There are many occasions when people enjoy and need a drink other than water—one which has color, a piquant taste, a health-giving tang. Such drinks, however, should add to one's health, not detract therefrom. There are many healthful drinks which will do just that. All the citrus fruits, pomegranate, pineapple and some other fruits yield juices that may be taken as prepared by nature without added sugar. The juices of other fruits may be diluted with water and slightly sweetened, preferably with honey. Fruit juices, if taken fresh, are nearly always palatable and invigorating, refreshing as well as healthful. Moreover, they contain much of the precious mineral matter and vitamins of the fruits.
Unfermented juices of the grape, apple, strawberry, raspberry and other fruits make drinks "par excellence", especially if home-made and of good flavored grapes such as the Concord, and ripe fruits in season. They should not be too sweet and may be sweetened with honey.
Warm drinks or punches, indicated in cold weather, may be served in many possible variations as suggested above for cold drinks. The flavor may be varied with different spices or fruit combinations. Such drinks add to health if not too sweet and give one a feeling of warmth and well-being.
Changes of flavor in drinks made from fruit juices may be had by skillful blending with mint or ginger (ground or candied), or other spices, such as cloves, cinnamon, cardemom, or by adding ginger ale or for a little tang some carbonated water. A decided change of flavor may be had by adding to a drink a small amount of the non-alcoholic syrup called grenadine, sold in large stores. One guest with epicurean taste was served the following fruit drink: equal quantities of lemon and orange juice, a little cut fruit in season; honey added to suit the taste, a dash of grenadine and enough carbonated water to increase the palatability of the drink. He remarked that it was so good he couldn't believe it was non-alcoholic. There are many possible variations of such delicious health drinks. Why then tamper with those which are dangerously habit-forming as well as injurious?
The Cocktail Habit. The custom of serving cocktails has come into vogue because alcoholic beverages depress the higher brain centers and allow the lower controls to come into ascendancy. Thus certain inhibitions and cautions are removed, and the drinker is supposed to become more talkative and jolly. Also, the cocktail is supposed to rouse a jaded appetite.
Everyone should know that cocktails are much more harmful than beer or wine, also that a person with a "jaded appetite" should not eat, especially a heavy meal. It is a poor compliment for a hostess to insinuate that her guest has to be put in good humor by artificial and dangerous stimulation or for a guest to come to dinner with little appetite for the meal his hostess has gone to much trouble and expense to prepare. If the guest comes with a normal, healthy appetite, the taking of drinks and snacks before the meal is apt to lessen just so much the appetite and the enjoyment of the meal to follow. From all angles the cocktail habit is not a good one. The wise hostess chooses as guests only those who are congenial. When a good time is to be had, a person needs all his powers to enjoy it to the full. One's highest self must be in the ascendancy if one is to be an ideal hostess or guest, or if one is to have any real pleasure and enjoyment. How may anything be enjoyed to the full if one is only "half there"?
Health cocktails such as the following are permissible and may be served if desired. A citrus cocktail, (described by Adolphe Menjou as his favorite) made of equal portions of orange and lemon or grapefruit juice with a sprinkling of ground ginger; also those made of tomato, oyster, clam or any preferred vegetable juices mixed as desired. One used in England, called "Grand Man", consists of an oyster in tomato juice with lemon, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and paprika. The "Orange Honey Cocktail", a real "pick me up", one that does not "let you down", allows for each person one-third cup of orange juice, 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and honey, and a pinch of salt. Mix in shaker. Honey is a great restorer and is one of nature's choicest natural sweets. It is good for young and old, in moderation.
Grain Drinks. Many people claim that since barley as a drink is mentioned in the Word of Wisdom it must refer to beer, for barley as malt is used therein. Certainly, that cannot be the meaning, for, when grain is fermented, alcohol is formed and alcohol is explicitly forbidden. How then may the reference be interpreted?
Barley and other grains are often browned lightly in the oven and then ground and made as coffee, into a brown cereal drink. Dry crusts of bread are sometimes so used. Such drinks are permissible unless browned too much and taken in too large a quantity. The excessive heat required to brown any food—even toast—destroys all vitamins and if it is browned too much it tends to cause a deterioration in the starch and fiber of the grain. Therefore browned grain drinks must be used with discretion.
"Harvest drinks", those made from natural grains and wheat or rice bran, are very healthful because of their vitamins and may be made appetizing. They are usually made by pouring boiling water over the grains or bran, boiling a few minutes, and allowing the mixture to stand until cool. It may then be served with milk and brown sugar, or with the addition of lemon or other fruit juices, or spices or even hops and other herbs may be added to give flavor and to tone up the system. Such health drinks made from the extracts of barley, oatmeal, bran of wheat or rice, or even from the germinated barley or malt, are very healthful.
Milk and Egg Drinks. Milk and egg drinks are really foods and must be taken slowly and thoroughly mixed with saliva before swallowing. They are actually foods, nutritious and desirable for strength-giving or upbuilding purposes, but can hardly be classed as drinks, to meet the need of the body for liquids.
Herb Infusions. Infusions of herbs or herb teas are used in many countries of Europe. In France one may be served "infusion" of dried leaves of the verbena, mint and many herbs or the flowers of camomile, orange, or linden trees, much more frequently than the real China or India tea. A consequent improvement in health may definitely be noticed. They act as a tonic to the system and prove very beneficial. Every one remembers the hop tea, dandelion or camomile teas of grandmother's day which were given as the annual spring tonic. There are many times when warm (not too hot) herb drinks are indicated and desirable.
Names for Health Drinks. Bright and intriguing names for health drinks are most desirable and do much to make them successful. Some suggestions are: Grape Delight, Elysian Draught, Nectar of Eden, Desert Refresher, Western Glory, Golden Slipper, Apple Royal, Celestial Cooler, Peach Pop, Gingerette, Harvest Home, Wisbru (a bran extract), Stokos, Barlikos, Raisin Tea and many others. One may concoct different combinations and devise one's own names, for there are many possibilities. Ingenuity in making fancy names for permissible infusions avoiding the use of the words "tea" or "coffee" should be exercised.
Ciders and Root Beers. Cider and home-made root beers may be harmless if taken when freshly made but if allowed to ferment at all they contain alcohol (which gives the tang) and are just as harmful to the body as though they were not home-made. Every fermented drink contains alcohol and it has been definitely shown that any degree of alcohol is injurious to the brain and nerves as well as being forbidden by the "word and will of the Lord".
Many a confirmed drunkard and derelict traces his passion for the "deadly drink" to the so-called harmless root beers or hard ciders prepared by father and mother in his childhood's home. Since there are so many really harmless as well as delicious drinks one wonders why otherwise good parents will put temptation in the way of themselves and loved ones. It may be true that a person doesn't get "dead" drunk on lightly fermented root beer or soft cider; but who knows when the taste for liquor which, a sleeping giant within, may be aroused. Besides, if son or daughter is given fermented root beer or cider by mother at home, why not take the "doctored" punch from sweetheart or friend at the party? The risk is so great that here the part of wisdom is to shun the very semblance of a taste for alcohol.
"Soda Pops". The occasional use of some artificially flavored drink, made from carbonated water and syrups may not be harmful; but, certainly, one should not make a habit of taking such drinks. Too much carbonated water may become decidedly irritating to the delicate linings of the alimentary tract, and, with other unnatural food and drink may in time cause distress. Drink as well as food is best for man when made in nature's laboratory from fruit and vegetable juices, mixed with pure water.
Chemical Flavors and Colorings. A warning must be given against soft drinks, candies and all foods flavored or colored with chemical substances of unknown physiological properties. Such flavoring extracts or colorings should not be used unless it is definitely known that they are harmless. Since such chemical products are much cheaper, there is a temptation to use them in preference to the known natural flavorings and vegetable colorings. The long continued use of harmful ingredients, even in small doses, may become dangerous.
In the magazine Life of March 1, 1937, a series of pictures show recent efforts to recognize and cure cancer. On page 13 is a picture of skin cancer on a rat produced by "repeated applications of benzpyrene, a coal-tar derivative" which is one of the recognized cancer-promoting agents. There is little likelihood of benzpyrene in artificial flavors and colors, but there may be other coal-tar derivatives as yet unrecognized which are mildly irritating to animal tissue and which may be used, innocently enough, by manufacturers. Before using "pops" and manufactured drinks, no matter how well advertised or recommended, if they are artificially colored (or flavored, and prepared synthetically, usually from coal-tar products) one should be certain that they are harmless. The delicate linings of stomach and alimentary tract are much too precious to be experimented with because questionable artificial flavors are cheaper. Certain it is that ulcers of the stomach, which often lead to cancer, are greatly on the increase, for which there must be some cause or causes.
Again one comes back to the advice given in the letter as by the spirit of the Word of Wisdom. Natural foods, as prepared by Mother Nature, are best for man and beast. Beware of all artificial synthetic food products or drinks made by man for commercial gain. It is wiser to spend a little more money for natural foods than to spend it to cure or alleviate a diseased body.
Neither man's food nor his drink should be monotonous and of this there is no need, for nature has been lavish in her bestowal of health-giving delights.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Berg, Ragnar, Die Naehrungs und Genussmittel, 1929.
Crichton-Browne, Sir James, What We Drink, 1930.
Kneipp, Sebastian, My Water Cure, 1893.
Nye, Noel, What Shall We Drink, 1933.
Mottram, V. H., Food and the Family. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:17.
2. Nye, Noel, What Shall We Drink? p. 7. _________________________________________________________________________________Chapter 17
"PRUDENCE AND THANKSGIVING"
"All these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving." 1
Wisdom and Health. The Word of Wisdom is essentially a nutritional guide. Other factors of health are not discussed in it. Yet on various occasions the Prophet Joseph Smith received revelations that bear in part on the maintenance of health.
All things, even the practice of the Word of Wisdom, should be done in wisdom, in moderation and with the right appreciation of life's requirements and opportunities. That is made clear in verse 11 where the statement is made with reference to desirable foods, "all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."
Prudence. The dictionary defines prudence as the quality of being wise, frugal, having foresight and knowledge and using good judgment. This definition certainly includes wisdom in the use of knowledge. Moderation is an essential principle in every human activity including the Word of Wisdom. Food fads and fancies do not overtake the prudent man who weighs with intelligence all the requirements of life, and practices them in moderation. Such prudence was early indicated to Joseph Smith, the Prophet: "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength". 2
If prudence is knowledge applied to daily needs, then one with an intelligent interest in food and good life habits is in no sense a faddist or crank. Indeed, every one should have such a sound fundamental knowledge of nutrition that it would be a very part of one-self and applied without conscious effort in everyday life.
A good wholesome diet composed of all nature's food "in season" should be the rule—and one should learn to enjoy all natural foods—excluding none; for each food possesses some special element or substance needed by the body mechanism. In this practice, parents must set the right example to children who are unconscious imitators.
The prudent mother or provider of food must be intelligent in these matters and not believe all that is told by shrewd advertising whether by radio or the printed page. If she is prudent she knows that "conspiring men in the last days" have commercial interests at stake and are far more interested in their own pocket-book than in the public health. Her own and her family's health depends upon knowledge of food values, more so today than at any time in the past. Knowledge and use of knowledge give health as well as power.
Thanksgiving. The term thanksgiving used in the text implies that one's mental attitude should be right. To understand a subject and to apply its truths is important, but if one is cheerful and thankful for all blessings, the food and drink will be greatly enhanced to his good. Especially true is this of thanksgiving directed towards God and his goodness to men. Thanksgiving which recognizes the relationship of man to his Heavenly Father, brings the greatest happiness. For, man's body is a mortal tabernacle for a spirit child of God and its care and development should be a sacred trust.
Work. Work is enjoined upon the Latter-day Saints. Honest labor is a blessing to man. Idleness is held in abhorrence. "Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." 3 Punishment follows idleness. "The idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord." 4 "Wo unto you poor men . . who will not labor with your own hands!" 5 Even Church membership may be forfeited by idleness. "Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall not have place in the Church, except he repent and mend his ways." 6 The wisdom of the requirement that men should work is now more evident than ever before. Health is promoted by the exercise of body and mind in honest labor. Much unnecessary suffering is the result of idleness, made possible by wealth or unemployment or derived from unnatural conditions in life.
Rest. Proper rest is also urged upon Latter-day Saints, especially sleep, which is "nature's sweet restorer". A few months before the Word of Wisdom was given, the following appeared in a revelation to Joseph Smith: "Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and minds may be invigorated." 7 That does not mean that one should sleep a certain minimum number of hours. In this requirement people differ. Nine hours is a minimum for some adults, while others seem to keep healthy on seven or less. Brigham Young's division of the twenty-four hours is fair and moderate: Eight hours for work; eight hours for recreation, including eating, light home duties, Church activities and actual play; and eight hours for sleep. If some adults need less they should not feel that those who need more are lazy and slothful.
Children need much more sleep than adults, for growth and proper development. Authorities on child nutrition insist that many undernourished children are lacking not good food but proper rest. The body utilizes its food and restores its energy during rest and sleep. 8
Change from routine duties is looked upon as a rest. The provision by which every member of the Church may become active in Church affairs, furnishes a high-grade, wholesome change from the regular bread-winning duties of life. "Every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide, and he shall in nowise lose his crown; and let him labor in the Church." 9 The proper amount of sleep, occasional change of occupation, rest and actual play or recreation, are all essential to full health. The Church has demonstrated its power through its organizations to provide healthful change and recreation for its members.
A Sound Religious Philosophy. A correct mental attitude dependent upon a sound religious philosophy is equally necessary for good health. The mind is connected closely with the body, and is its master. Love will promote health; hate will undermine it. An angry person does not digest his food well, and other bodily reactions are upset. Here is a recipe for happiness among many that might be selected from the revelations to Joseph Smith: "See that ye love one another . . . as the gospel requires; . . . cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; . . . and above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. Pray always." 10 Faith, hope and charity, and a constant seeking after the truths of life and the universe, with a determination to accept them when found, form the foundation blocks for good health. A sound religious philosophy is a prerequisite for perfect health. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in its fullness as restored through the ministry of Joseph Smith answers the questions lying deep in every human heart, and has contributed much to the unusual health record of Latter-day Saints.
The Future and Prudence. The most ardent Word of Wisdom enthusiasts cannot claim that this inspired document gives the last detailed word in nutritional advice. Scientific knowledge concerning man's diet is yet in its infancy. Many new angles to old truths are constantly being discovered. When such are definitely established in the best laboratories of nutrition to be facts, not mere theories, then they may be accepted and used, and they will be found to be in harmony with the general principles set forth by the Word of Wisdom. The advice in the Word of Wisdom to use prudence in all these things implies that one should be ready to accept and apply new truth.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Bogert, L. J., Nutrition and Physical Fitness.
Cornaro, L., The Art of Living Long (Butler edition).
Davis, A., Optimum Health, 1936.
Lane, W. A., Secrets of Good Health.
Lane, W. A., Blazing the Health Trail.
Lane, W. A., The Diseases of Civilization.
Lorand, A., Old Age Deferred, 1910.
Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, 1934.
Ullman, E. V., Diet in Sinus Infections and Colds.
Widtsoe, J. A., Discourses of Brigham Young, 1925. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:11.
2. Ibid., 10:4.
3. Doctrine and Covenants 42:42.
4. Ibid., 68:30.
5. Ibid., 56:17.
6. Ibid., 75:29.
7. Doctrine and Covenants 88:124.
8. Rose, M. S., Feeding the Family, p. 150.
9. Doctrine and Covenants 75:28.
10. Doctrine and Covenants 88:123-126. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 18
REWARDS
"Showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints." 1
"And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them." 2
Kinds of Rewards. The Word of Wisdom is "a principle with a promise" for the "benefit" of man. Obedience to it should therefore result in distinct advantage to man. Such beneficial effects have actually been observed among the Latter-day Saints.
During the one hundred years since the Word of Wisdom was given, it has been practiced to some degree by most of the members of the Church. Had it been practiced more completely, the results would have been more marked than they now are today. Yet even a partial observance of the Word of Wisdom has yielded noteworthy, really remarkable, results.
Three rewards are promised those who faithfully obey the Word of Wisdom. First, strength and vigor of body; second, protection against disease; and third, the possession of knowledge and wisdom, even "hidden treasures of knowledge". A fourth reward is implied, namely "temporal salvation", in which may be included economic welfare. Existing statistics confirm the promises so made. 3
Vigor of Body. (See Chapter 2) Bodily vigor, as a result of obedience to the Word of Wisdom, is somewhat difficult to measure. However, the evidence of bodily vigor among the Latter-day Saints is convincing.
The birth rate is an indication of sound health. Among the Latter-day Saints it is large, ranging in the neighborhood of 30 per thousand of population. In twenty-five of the leading nations on earth, the birth-rate, in 1927, 28, was 22 per thousand of population, or about two-thirds of the birth rate among Latter-day Saints. Approximately the same ratio exists between the United States and the Latter-day Saints during the decade of 1915-24. The birth rate in the United States was 24 per thousand—among the Latter-day Saints 36 per thousand. During the following decade, 1925-34, the United States birth rate was 19 per thousand—among the Latter-day Saints, 30 per thousand. Since 1934 the tendency of the Church birth rate has been upward.
Maternity deaths in 1927, 1928, were only 10 per thousand births among the Latter-day Saints as against 45 in the six nations of earth with the highest health records. Infant mortality likewise was very low, about 40 per thousand of births. This can be attributed in part to the bodily vigor of father and mother.
The death rate among the Latter-day Saints is equally striking. It was less than 7 per thousand of population in 1927, 1928, as against 14 per thousand of population among twenty-five leading nations of earth. Today the Latter-day Saint death rate is about 7 per thousand. In the United States where most of the Latter-day Saints live, the death rate since 1901 has been consistently 4 to 6 per thousand lower than the nation's death rate. (See diagram.) Long life is usually associated with good health. The parallelism between the death rates of the United States and of the Latter-day Saints shows that in addition to the results of the Word of Wisdom other health factors are operating, such as improved sanitation, better understanding of health laws, etc. Nevertheless, the impressive fact remains that the L. D. S. rate is below that of the United States. The factor there involved is no doubt the Word of Wisdom.
The net difference between birth rate and death rate, in 1927-28, was 23 per thousand of Latter-day Saints, as against 8 per thousand, or about one-third, in the twenty-five nations. Approximately the same difference exists between the Latter-day Saints and the population of the United States.
Insanity is low among the Latter-day Saints—about one-half of the average of the people among whom they live.
The promise of bodily vigor from keeping the Word of Wisdom has been fulfilled.
Protection Against Disease. Detailed health statistics indicate that the death rates from specific diseases, among the Latter-day Saints, are low compared with those of other large groups of people. The subjoined table shows that compared with the death rates of the United States, those of the Latter-day Saints are almost uniformly lower; in the case of the more dreaded diseases often less than half. As the table shows, this has been true from 1914 when the Church began the annual gathering of detailed vital statistics of its people. It is a remarkable difference, which in large part must be due to the effects of the keeping of the Word of Wisdom.
COMPARATIVE DEATH RATES, 1914-1935.
Deaths per 100,000 of Population. 1914-1926 1927-1934 1935
U.S.A. ; L.D.S. U.S.A. ; L.D.S. U.S.A. ; L.D.S.
Typhoid 6.7 ; 8.8 2.0 ; 2.9 2.7 ; 1.8
Influenza 51.2 ; 50.1 23.8 ; 10.4 22.1 ; 3.7
Lobar Pneumonia 75.7 ; 44.9 47.2 ; 48.1 45.2 ; 59.7
Tuberculosis 96.7 ; 11.3 59.3 ; 7.7 49.8 ; 4.9
Cancer 94.7 ; 36.2 113.6 ; 47.6 107.9 48.1
Diabetes Mellitus 19.0 ; 10.2 23.0 ; 9.1 22.2 ; 9.1
Disease of the Heart 187.6 ; 77.2 232.7 ; 108.1 198.2 ; 112.2
Appendicitis 13.3 ; 19.2 14.7 ; 17.3 12.7 ; 16.5
Cirrhosis of the Liver 9.6 ; 2.3 8.3 ; 1.0 7.9 ; 1.3
Suicide 14.1 ; 3.8 17.0 ; 2.0 14.3 ; 4.1
Similar results were obtained from corresponding facts from six great nations—Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, and the United States of America. (See Chapter 2). The Word of Wisdom has produced a people of apparently increased immunity from the diseases that scourge the earth.
It should be noted, however, as a warning that, since 1914, there have been increases, though small, from cancer and heart diseases. The Word of Wisdom needs to be observed more rigidly, to secure complete health.
The following table may be of supplementary interest, as it shows the death rate from more selected diseases and groups of diseases than in the preceding table, and for the recent years 1930, 1934, and 1935, 4 among the Latter-day Saints and in the United States as a whole:
COMPARATIVE DEATH RATES, 1930, 1934, 1935 fn
Deaths per 100,000 of population 1930 1934 1935
U.S.A. ; L.D.S. U.S.A. ; L.D.S. U.S.A. ; L.D.S.
Typhoid Fever 4.7 ; 3.2 3.3 ; 2.6 2.7 ; 1.8
Influenza 19.5 ; 7.4 17.3 ; 3.7 22.1 ; 3.7
Tuberculosis 71.5 ; 8.2 56.6 ; 6.2 55.0 ; 7.3
Diabetes 19.0 ; 8.6 22.1 ; 8.1 22.2 ; 9.1
Cancer 97.3 ; 48.4 106.2 ; 48.8 107.9 ; 48.1
Alcoholism 3.5 ; 0.3 2.9 ; 0.1 2.6 ; 0.5
Syphilis 8.9 ; 0.1 9.3 ; 0.1 9.1 ; 0.1
Ulcers of the Stomach 4.3 ; 4.0 4.2 ; 5.3 4.6 ; 5.3
Appendicitis 15.3 ; 14.0 14.3 ; 18.9 12.3 ; 16.5
Diseases of the Nervous System and organs of special sense 112.1 ; 55.0 106.1 ; 46.8 105.9 ; 51.1
Diseases of the Circula- tory System. 237.4 ; 125.2 263.2 ; 129.8 267.2 ; 148.2
Diseases of the Respira- tory System 95.6 ; 117.7 90.7 ; 123.5 93.0 ; 111.0
Diseases of the Diges- tive System 85.9 ; 54.9 75.8 ; 61.5 70.3 ; 50.9
Diseases of the Genito- Urinary System 104.4 ; 37.4 98.9 ; 30.2 96.2 ; 28.0
With three exceptions these data are all very favorable to the Latter-day Saints. Deaths from typhoid, influenza, tuberculosis, cancer and diabetes are very low compared with the average for the country; from syphilis and alcoholism practically non-existent. Deaths from ulcers of the stomach and from appendicitis are above the average of the country at large—which should serve as danger signals, and direct our general health and eating habits. Deaths from diseases of the nervous, circulatory, digestion and genito-urinary systems are all much lower than the rate throughout the country, but from diseases of the respiratory system, higher. This latter observation may be due to the fact that the many who live in good health to an old age die from some disease of the respiratory system. Altogether the data in this table and many others that might be presented are excellent evidences of the rewards that come to observers of the Word of Wisdom.
A comparative study of health conditions among the Latter-day Saints of different ages has been made recently (1937) by Dr. Francis W. Kirkham. 5 He has shown that during the period 1922 to 1935 the death-rate in the stakes of the church has decreased steadily at all ages up to 45 years. Between 46 and 65 years it has stood still; and above 65 years it has, as would be expected, increased slightly. However, all the rates, at all ages, have tended to be lower than the United States average, and markedly so from 25 to 65 years of age. However, the fact that there has been no appreciable decrease between these years in the death rate among the Latter-day Saints, during the age period of 45 to 65 years, is a warning to the Church. As middle life is reached, the accumulated effects of the mistakes of early life begin to be more severely felt. There is need then in middle life for a more careful adherence than ever to the health code known as the Word of Wisdom. If the Word of Wisdom is carefully obeyed during childhood and youth, the strains of middle life will be more successfully met.
Knowledge and Wisdom. Physical health permits full mental activity. This is borne out by the history of mental proficiency among the Latter-day Saints.
Literacy among the Word of Wisdom group of people is about 99.7%; about 60 Latter-day Saints in every thousand attended high school in 1922—more than three times the average for the United States; about 9 Latter-day Saints in a thousand attended universities—nearly twice the United States average. The rates for literacy and attendance at high schools and universities are probably the highest in the world for a group of like size. This high mental development is reflected in the large proportion of men and women of recognized leadership in the world.
Wisdom, however, is more than knowledge. It implies the proper use of knowledge. This condition, also difficult to measure, seems to be met among the Latter-day Saints.
A wise person will conserve his economic resources. Adherence to the Word of Wisdom reduces the cost of living—the main economic problem of our day—by the larger use of the less expensive foods, such as grains, vegetables and fruits, and by saving the huge sums expended elsewhere for harmful alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea and coffee.
There are very few wealthy people among the Latter-day Saints. There is also little dire poverty among them. Their average prosperity is high. Threefifths of the Latter-day Saints own the homes in which they live. Such a prosperous economic condition has resulted from industry and thrift (77% of the people are engaged in productive occupations), coupled with the power and savings incident to obeying the Word of Wisdom. President Heber J. Grant has repeatedly stated that the economic problems of America and perhaps other nations would be solved by a faithful practice of the Word of Wisdom. 6
Morality. Morality is also a product of wisdom. A man full of knowledge may be immoral; but a wise man treads the path of virtue. The moral effects of the Word of Wisdom are therefore both interesting and important. A high morality would be expected from people with healthy bodies and developed minds.
The marriage rate among the Latter-day Saints is 14.5 per thousand, compared with 8 per thousand for twenty nations listed by the League of Nations in its latest Health Yearbook. Divorces number 14 per hundred thousand as compared with 46 per hundred thousand for fifteen nations. The rate of illegitimacy among the Latter-day Saints is correspondingly low, 8.7 of every thousand births (in the State of Utah, which is about 60% Mormon) as compared with 74 in every thousand births for an average of twenty-two civilized nations listed by the League of Nations. The criminal record of the Latter-day Saints points similarly to a high degree of morality. For example, in the State of Utah, the Latter-day Saints forming 60% of the population, furnish but 21% of the convicts in the State penitentiary. 7 While many factors contribute to high morality, unquestionably the abstinence from intoxicating drinks and other nerve-whipping substances and the general self-control required by the Word of Wisdom favor high moral development. Crime seldom accompanies full mental and physical health.
Spiritual Gains. In the early days of the Church the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith "that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal. . . . for my commandments are spiritual." 8
In harmony with this basic statement, the final and most important effect of the Word of Wisdom must be of a spiritual nature. Whoever obeys this law will be blessed in body, purse and mind, and also in spiritual development.
This is really self-evident. Obedience to the Word of Wisdom means eagerness and willingness to conform to the "word and will" of God, the beginning of all wisdom. It also implies conquest of the appetites of the body, the first step towards spiritual development.
Love of the Lord and obedience to divine law qualify a person for spiritual communion. Guidance from the unseen world is most easily received by those who are so prepared.
Those who, because of their acceptance and use of the Word of Wisdom, possess a clean body, a clear mind and a spirit in tune with the infinite, are best able to assist in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth, and thereby to render greatest service to their fellow men.
They also find the greatest happiness in life, for their capacity for joy is unhindered by a weak body, a dull mind, and dim spiritual vision. They find a new wealth of joy in every commonplace of life. They have eyes and they see; ears and they hear. Their understanding is reinforced with the spiritual light of truth.
There are many laws of the Gospel that lead towards spirituality. Among them the Word of Wisdom stands unchallenged.
The Rewards Fail Not. The experience with the Word of Wisdom, covering more than a century, is convincing evidence of the temporal and spiritual value of this guide to health. The facts and figures above cited bear an undoubted relationship to the temperate and wise habits enjoined upon the Latter-day Saints in the Word of Wisdom. In every particular have the promises made by the Lord to those who observe the Word of Wisdom been fulfilled.
Probably no other group of 750,000 people can be found on earth with as high records for physical health, mental proficiency, economic welfare and moral cleanliness. The effects of the Word of Wisdom are in full evidence.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Dublin, and Lotka, Length of Life, 1936.
Harris, F. S., and Butt, Fruits of Mormonism, 1925.
L. D. S. Presiding Bishopric Statistics—partial reports in General Conference Reports.
Smith, J. F., Gospel Doctrine.
U. S. Public Health Service—Public Health Reports (note April 30, 1937).
Widtsoe, J. A., Discourses of Brigham Young, 1925. _________________________________________________________________________________Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants 89:2.
2. Ibid., 89:18-21.
3. The measure of the rewards promised by the Word of Wisdom is made possible by the use of statistics gathered by the Church over a long number of years. At the beginning of each year the bishops of the wards of the Church, more than one thousand in number, assemble the vital data pertaining to the groups of people placed in their care, and forward these to the Presiding Bishop's Office for recording and collating. In the majority of the wards the population is under one thousand. The bishop and his two counselors, with the ward clerk are usually personally familiar with every family. There is no great likelihood of error; especially as the bishop checks his findings with the physicians' certificates sent in to the state. Moreover, the consistency of the reports from year to year indicates their reliability. They are probably fully as reliable as those gathered by the State. It should be said, however, that Church statistics deal only with the stakes of the Church; such reports have not yet been secured from the missions. Educational statistics are also gathered at various intervals, as also other statistics of interest to the Church.
4. Only the data of U. S. A. from the year 1930, '34 and '35 were available in the report used in this study.
5. Church data from Office of the Presiding Bishop. U. S. A. data from Public Health Reports, April 30, 1937, U. S. Public Health Service.
6. Deseret News, Church Section, Jan. 16, 1937.
7. General Conference Report, October, 1937.
8. Harris, F. S., and Butt, N. I., The Fruits of Mormonism, 1925, p. 136.
9. Doctrine and Covenants 29:34, 35. _________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 19
CONCLUSION
The Word of Wisdom Summarized. The code of health, known as the Word of Wisdom, and in which resides the power to correct many evils of the day, may be summarized in eight rules:
1. Do not believe everything advertised about food and drink. Fraud and deceit are anxious for your money. Be informed and prudent.
2. Alcoholic beverages, beer, wines or distilled products should never be drunk by man.
3. Tobacco should not be used for smoking or chewing, in any form at any time in life.
4. Drinks containing unnatural stimulating substances, such as coffee and tea, and other drug-laden concoctions, whether hot or cold in temperature, should be eliminated from the human dietary.
5. The flesh of animals should be used sparingly, chiefly in cold weather, or in times of famine.
6. Fruits of all kinds, especially fresh fruits, should be eaten daily.
7. All edible vegetables, leafy, root and tuber, should be eaten daily.
8. The daily dietary of man should include as its basis, properly prepared grains, supplemented by other edible seeds and nuts.
Supplementary Rules. The Word of Wisdom dealing with food is the most important factor of health, but not the only one. Others must be observed also for full health. For example:
Pure, fresh water should be drunk freely, at arising and between meals, during the day. Fruit juices and grain extracts, notably of bran and barley, may well supplement the intake of water.
Milk, a food rather than a drink, should be used in the complete dietary.
Health requires regular and steady physical labor and intellectual effort. Whether taken in one's regular business or as recreation, such exercise of body and mind is necessary to make obedience to the Word of Wisdom most effective. Physical exercise in the open air is always desirable. Daily reading of good literature and all forms of proper recreation help promote good health.
Equally important is sufficient, regular, preferably early sleep, ending in the early morning. When this health requirement is violated in our fast-moving, unnatural age, many of the benefits of the Word of Wisdom are defeated.
Frequent bathing should be made habitual.
There should be daily elimination of the waste products within the body.
The full benefit of the Word of Wisdom can be obtained only when the mind is at peace. A correct mental attitude, one of faith, hope and love, is indispensable for full health. That really means that a pre-requisite for perfect health is a sound religious philosophy. The Gospel relieves the anxieties of the spirit by answering the deep questions of life, and thereby becomes a factor for good health. Activity in the Church, always unselfish if properly done, likewise helps greatly in the maintenance or restoration of health. The spirit is an ally with the body of man to make life joyous.
Need of the Word of Wisdom. Humanity has need for the warning and help offered by the Word of Wisdom. There are few really healthy people in the world. Too many live with only half their possible energies at their command. There is too much disease, too many colds and hay fevers. There are too many widows. There is too much deception by fraud and lying drugs. There is too much poverty, because money is spent for things injurious to the body, too much suffering in drunkards' homes, too much crime by people sick in mind and body. There are too many broken homes, too many divorces traceable to violation of the law of health. There are too many flabby wills; too little self-conquest. There is not enough faith; not enough prayer. These conditions need not exist; the Lord does not desire them to continue; by obedience to the Word of Wisdom they may be corrected.
Effect on Coming Generations. The test of any regime of life is that the posterity of an individual, as well as the individual himself, shall be sound and healthy. Many persons blessed with a strong inheritance survive their mistakes and live to a high age, but, too often, their children and children's children die in youth or live with poor health. Parents are the keepers of the welfare of the coming generations. The descendants of those who keep the Word of Wisdom in its fullness will be blessed.
Benefits of the Word of Wisdom. Conformity to the Word of Wisdom will help solve many of the most perplexing problems of our age. Disease will largely be overcome. Life will be lengthened and health will rule while life endures. Economic prosperity will follow the direction into useful channels of the vast sums of money now spent for things injurious to health. Cultivation of home gardens on the thousands of vacant neglected spots in every city, would profitably replace night brawls in dress suits or rags. Social happiness will come with the elimination of the poverty, crime and squalor due to drink and drugs. A new mental health will reveal "hidden treasures" of knowledge. There will be means available for the education of all. Appetites are conquered and character developed as men and women use their wills to accept the provisions of the Word of Wisdom as against the temptations of pleasures that end in disaster. Such conquest of self will lead to a surrender to the will of God, which is the ultimate victory, and will enable humanity to attain the higher spiritual reaches of life. Obedience to the Word of Wisdom brings spiritual communion and strength.
Self-Correction. Special strength is not needed to conform to the Lord's law of health, for obedience to it provides the means by which bad habits and unwise appetites may be avoided or corrected. Obedience to the positive factors helps destroy the appetite for the negative factors.
Evidence of Inspiration. Throughout these pages fact has crowded upon fact in support of the declaration of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, that the Word of Wisdom was revealed to him from heavenly sources. He would have stood helpless before the problem of human health had he relied on current knowledge or upon his own shrewd guesses. There are statements in the revelation that, in the light of modern knowledge, cannot be explained by any other means than that of inspiration.
Indeed, today, after 104 years, the Word of Wisdom stands as one of the most convincing evidences of the divine inspiration of Joseph Smith, the "Mormon" Prophet.
Finale. The followers of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ are grateful for the gift of this Law of Health, and offer it to all the world as one means by which full health may be won by all men. The rewards of obedience to this divine law are appealing. Health of body, mental strength, endurance, protection against the devastating scourges of earth, economic security, social welfare, treasures of knowledge, spiritual development and an understanding peace of mind. Finale. The followers of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ are grateful for the gift of this Law of Health, and offer it to all the world as one means by which full health may be won by all men. The rewards of obedience to this divine law are appealing. Health of body, mental strength, endurance, protection against the devastating scourges of earth, economic security, social welfare, treasures of knowledge, spiritual development and an understanding peace of mind.
Christmas Sabbath
Over the years, I have been blessed to work in careers that provided me with a significant amount of time off during Christmas. This time of year is a type of Sabbath to me, to reflect on the tender mercies Christ’s life has brought me in my life — His marvelous redemptive power and the gratitude I have for His birth, His life, and His restored Church in these latter days.
"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:21)
He is an all-powerful God who keeps his promises and has provided us a sure way in this time of confusion by establishing his church as he said he would:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-15)
In these latter days, He has restored his Church through Joseph Smith, that same organization that he established in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago.
The hand of God was in Joseph’s life in the establishing of His church. The faith of Joseph in Christ is profound and only comparable with those who have shared that holy calling as prophet. It is a great mercy for which I am thankful for, that Christ continues to reveal and guide us through his words and a living prophet today.
Organization And Culture Of The Gospel
This is a guest post by Amy R. Nelson. Find more of her writings on her blog “They May Be Light” by clicking here.
“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Luke 12: 29-31)
Every church meeting is influenced by three things:
The gospel of Jesus Christ
The organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The culture of church members
The gospel of Jesus Christ is pure and eternal, and consists of the doctrines and principles that are the pathway that lead us to becoming like Jesus Christ, and thus exaltation.
The organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the manifestation of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth in our dispensation. Although the gospel has not changed, the organization of the church has had slight differences through the dispensations. For example: the law of Moses had a very different church organization than the way ours does today. However, the gospel and purpose behind it remains the same. The organization is divinely inspired and is led by the mouthpiece of the Lord (the prophet) and is put into practice by us, the wonderful (but imperfect) members of The Church. Although the organization is perfect, the execution is not always perfect.
The culture of the church consists of the habits and traditions of the members of The Church. Some of those cultural traditions are harmless — like putting carrots in your green jello, or the never discussed but fierce competition to see how many folding chairs you can carry at a time after the meeting is over so you can finally go home and eat dinner (that is, if Mom will ever stop talking). However, the danger of the culture is that some of it begins to be taught as doctrine, which can lead to giant misunderstandings and misconceptions. (Click here for an example regarding the phrase "moderation in all things.") When we, as members of the church, are not diligent in our personal gospel study direct from the source — the scriptures and the words of the prophets — and having our study confirmed by prayer and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost, we are in essence learning the possibly unfounded culture of The Church and not the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Alma chapter 1, there was a man who "had gone among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God." (Alma 1:3, emphasis added) We aren't actually told what his intent was; he could have begun meaning well. Maybe he was even the Sunday School teacher, but in the end he was teaching what HE termed to be the word of God, not the "pure testimony" (i.e. the doctrine) as Alma suggests to us in Alma 4:19. His teachings were not correct. They were not doctrine. In fact, because it was unfounded in the doctrine, what he was teaching was priestcraft. (Alma 1:12) But "he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words." (Alma 1:5, emphasis added)
I guarantee you that the many who did believe on his words were not the ones that were sincerely and regularly studying their scriptures (not just reading, but also studying with the intent to learn). They were the ones who were familiar with the doctrine, but not so familiar that the subtle but significant inconsistencies or errors. And those same people, who again may have been well meaning, would repeat that priestcraft to their respective classes and families. And just like that, a church "culture" had begun to be taught like doctrine.
Learning the gospel from the culture of The Church will not be enough to reach exaltation. We cannot let ourselves be satisfied with it. Personal and sincere study of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to become like our Heavenly Father.
This was a guest post by Amy R. Nelson. Find more of her writings on her blog “They May Be Light” by clicking here.
An Unspoken Struggle: Things As They Really Ar
“Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.” (Jacob 4:13)
One of the biggest hurdles in working through our weaknesses is overcoming disabling and destructive thought patterns, especially when working with those who struggle with sexual-related issues. It’s embarrassing, frustrating and private. Unfortunately, almost all embrace thoughts and emotions they believe are appropriate in these struggles but are actually preventing them from progressing and finding hope and joy in the moment. These thoughts and emotions sway from pessimism to optimism. But neither are helpful in healing, self-mastery and embracing the Atonement.
Optimism can be as dangerous and destructive as pessimism; it can prevent spiritual growth and self-mastery. Optimism and pessimism are two emotional sides of the same coin. There doesn't appear to be any doctrinal basis for optimism in the gospel. The Lord never chastised Job for complaining or needing to be more happy in his trial, or Joseph Smith for complaining there were too many churches. But you might say, “Job’s proving and Joseph Smith restoring the Gospel were a part of God's plan. Like Laman and Lemuel, we are rebelling and sinning against God.”
I assure you most, if not all my clients, are no Laman and Lemuel. The moment we sin or transgress, we see ourselves as Laman and Lemuel, and the moment we repent we are Nephi. This is the dichotomy we unfairly place ourselves into and is harmful to our progression. Those who approach sin and self-mastery with optimism and pessimism are slowly losing hope. Our weaknesses don't make us like Laman and Lemuel; our lack of desire to love and trust God and refuse the Atonement make us more like Laman and Lemuel. This idea was captured perfectly in a meme I found recently:
I understand this can slide easily into a topic of semantics. You might be recalling talks over the years that you've heard or read encouraging optimism. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk in General Conference in 2001, "Words of the Prophet: The Spirit of Optimism." More recently, T. Jeffrey Wilks of the Marriott School of Management at BYU gave a devotional "Optimism and Joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Both messages are spot on and insightful. I am confident that you can think of many other messages that encourage optimism.
However, what I have found is that these talks use the words "optimism" and "positive thinking" interchangeably with hope and happiness. Technically, this is not what optimism means and is not how most interpret its meaning.
The Webster dictionary defines optimism as, "an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome."
I believe that this is the definition used by most people and those with whom I have worked. It is the inclination to expect the most favorable outcome as opposed to seeing things as they really are, the "positive" approach to life.
What if Joseph Smith was an optimist? How different do you think his prayer would have been? "Father, there are so many churches; it's confusing but thank you for blessing us with so many options to worship thee." He would have missed out on the First Vision experience, lessons of eternity, and the building up of an individual courageous enough to lead the Restored Church into a new dispensation.
Where in scripture does it tell us to be optimistic? It doesn't. But rather, the scriptures teach us to see things as they really are: "Wherefore, it [the spirit] speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13). The scriptures also teach us to take our concerns — even complaints — to the Lord.
In an often misread scripture, Sariah provided an excellent lesson in the need to complain:
"For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness. And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father." (1 Nephi 5:2-3)
I have attended many meetings where individuals interpret Sariah's murmuring and complaining as an issue with her faith and use it as a cautionary tale. However, I see Sariah's actions as an example of faith, authenticity and seeing things as they really are.
Camille Fronk Olsen, professor of ancient scripture, offers additional insight to Sariah's experience:
"I suggest a different explanation. To establish Lehi and his family in a new land where they would inspire and instruct later generations to come unto Christ, God needed more than a father and a son (as successor) to possess a testimony tried in the fire of affliction. God also needed a matriarch, weathered by her own trials of faith and armed with her own unwavering witness, to stand steadfast with her prophet-husband.
When her sons failed to return, Sariah feared, giving evidence that her present faith, though admirably strong, was not yet strong enough to continue the difficult journey, let alone to establish a God-fearing family in a new land. The content of 1 Nephi 5 is therefore especially significant because it shows how crucial a mother's preparation is to the Lord. God desired not only that the family possess the brass plates for the journey, but also that both the mother and the father have unshakable faith before they continued.
... Sariah's reunion with her sons was additionally charged with the spiritual witness and stronger faith she received as a result of her trial. At that moment Sariah gained a deeper testimony than she had previously known. Notice the power and assurance in Sariah as she bore witness to her reunited family: "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them." (1 Nephi 5:8)" —Camille Fronk, Desert Epiphany: Sariah and the Women in 1 Nephi
Sariah is a wonderful example of how voicing concern or complaint can strengthen faith and even be a form of expressing faith.
Consider Joseph Smith's complaint and concern while locked away in Liberty Jail:
"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?" (D&C 121: 1-2)
What followed was a powerful and calming revelation that would not have occurred if his fears and concerns were glazed over with optimism. Like Sariah's complaining, he expresses faith in a loving Father in Heaven who answers prayers. To some degree, each prayer we offer is a complaint to God and should be. It is important to offer gratitude and recognize His hand in our lives. But it is equally important to see things as they are, recognize our weakness and, well, complain. Complain with hope and faith in the Atonement.
Those who struggle with sin, especially sexual issues, often take a pessimistic or optimistic approach to healing. When they give into their weakness, they often shame themselves, which is not sorrow but guilt and negative self-talk and thinking. For some reason, they feel the ease and power of the Atonement are not enough. Also, they fear that if there is not enough self-punishment and shame, they will repeat the undesired behavior, a form of scaring themselves out of the behavior. Others, on the other hand, will over-compensate and take on an optimistic or positive thinking approach. The pain, shame and embarrassment are too much to deal with, and feelings that they are not worthy of the Atonement are too overwhelming. Therefore, to avoid or cope with that pain, they put on a smile and repeat gospel positive phrases such as, "I know God loves me," "If I fast and pray more, I will overcome this," and "All I need is more faith," or some other form of positive gospel affirmation. These are the types of people whom we sometimes see as dedicated example Saints who seem to never have a negative thought and all the right answers.
One such client came into session each week and after briefly sharing their status immediately engaged in positive gospel self-talk. "I know I failed this week because I didn't read 30 mins each day. If I increase my scripture studies, I will not repeat the sin." They were very literally not seeing things as they really were. They jumped immediately into supposed solutions to their failure. They thought that if they dwelt on it too long or "complained," they would be lacking faith in the process. But what they are doing is denying themselves insights specific to their needs and self-mastery. What eventually happens is that the gospel positive self-talk runs out. Doubt takes over and faith is diminished. No matter how much they pray, read and do good works, they repeat the undesired behavior. As a result, they question their faith and experience a spiritual fatigue. Many give up after years of repeated visits to their bishop and prayers of repentance. They stop believing that the Lord doesn't give temptations and struggles greater then we can bear (1 Corin 10:13), or if it were true, it must be they are too sinful to be blessed.
Hogwash! It's because we glossed over the Atonement with pessimism and optimism. It's not always about more prayer or scriptures but rather a need to see things as they really are. Although our struggles are in no way easy, it is easier to focus on more scriptures, more prayer, and more faith. If Sariah or Joseph Smith glossed over with optimism, would they have expressed their hard concerns and complaints? Would they have learned and been prepared to bring forth greater faith and revelation by laying their fears on the altar?
Even with those who have struggled with their sins for 40 years, I have seen almost immediate success when we begin to voice their complaint to the Lord. It's scary to be accepting of your weaknesses and discuss them with the lord.
But as Kathryn Kirk as pointed out in her struggles, the gospel is a place of healing, not hiding.
I have even heard many say, "Before I see the bishop or a therapist, I want to work through this to a certain point." Sometimes, we in the faith put too much emphasis on our own works and not enough on trusting the Atonement. You no longer have to be afraid of your struggles, but embrace them and see them as they really are without guilt or shame. Eliminating shame and seeing things as they really are is essential to self-mastery and to making your weaknesses strong before the Lord.
When we can stop treating our undesired behaviors with optimism or pessimism and face them with courage, we can bravely lay them on the altar to have our weaknesses made strong. Let's replace the optimism, gospel self-talk and pessimism with hope! I love the words of Pope Francis in making this very same point:
“I do not like to use the word optimism because that is about a psychological attitude,” the pope says. “I like to use the word hope instead, according to what we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11, that I mentioned before. The fathers of the faith kept walking, facing difficulties. And hope does not disappoint, as we read in the Letter to the Romans. Think instead of the first riddle of Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot,’” the pope suggests.
At that moment I recalled more or less by heart the verses of the riddle of the princess in that opera, to which the solution is hope: “In the gloomy night flies an iridescent ghost./ It rises and opens its wings/ on the infinite black humanity./ The whole world invokes it/ and the whole world implores it./ But the ghost disappears with the dawn/ to be reborn in the heart./ And every night it is born/ and every day it dies!” These are verses that reveal the desire for a hope. Yet here that hope is an iridescent ghost that disappears with the dawn.
“See,” says Pope Francis, “Christian hope is not a ghost and it does not deceive. It is a theological virtue and therefore, ultimately, a gift from God that cannot be reduced to optimism, which is only human. God does not mislead hope; God cannot deny himself. God is all promise.” —Pope Francis, A Big Heart Open to God
It is tempting to run from our undesired behaviors, to hide them, or (in some form of karma) to do more good to prevent the bad. Recognize your weaknesses courageously, learn from them, and make them strong.
An Unspoken Struggle: LDS Women Addicted To Pornography
"So. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and have been my entire life. My struggles with pornography began in 2003 out of a mix of boredom and curiosity. For years now, I have felt like one day I would share my experiences, and that from the things that I've learned, that I would be able to perhaps help just one other person in their struggles. My intent is not to talk about the details of anything, but just how the gospel of Jesus Christ has and is changing me, and helping me through this painful addiction. If you are a woman who is struggling, or know of a woman who is struggling with pornography, let me know. I know that it is difficult, and I know that having someone to talk to can make all the difference in the world. So this is my attempt to reach out to you. If you are a single woman, you are in good company cause so am I. I don't know what it is like to have this struggle in marriage, but if you are married, hopefully there will be something here that can help you too." —Kathryn, LDS Women Struggle Too
Kathryn is a brave single adult woman and active member who contacted me about her addiction to pornography. She had been battling this persistent Goliath for many years, had seen her bishop many times, fasted, prayed and did everything right. But the desire and addiction wouldn't go away, and she would find herself back at square one again and again. Discouraged, frustrated and at times hopeless, this dear sister didn't know what else to do. No matter how hard she prayed, read her scriptures or how sincere her desire to rid her life of porn, it wouldn't go away. As a result, at times she would even question if her faith was sufficient. After all, if faith can move mountains why not rid her of her desire for porn? Additionally, being woman addicted to porn in The Church provided its own difficulties.
If you are a Latter-day Saint woman struggling with porn in any form, you are not alone. I get it, we don't talk about Latter-day Saint woman addicted to porn in The Church. But I assure you, I have seen as many women as men who are struggling, and you are not alone. There is hope! The story of Kathryn is a beautiful one. I encourage you to follow the link to her blog and follow her personal journey. I encourage you to seek her out and ask her questions. If you feel unworthy, unclean and ashamed, I would ask you, are those feelings bringing you closer to Father or further away? It is a common misconception that we must feel shame and guilt. Sorrow, yes—but not shame or guilt. Where shame and guilt are, hope can not prevail. Where there is no hope, despair and depression grow. You can be happy now, even in the mist of battling an addiction or an occasional viewing. Yes, you most definitely can be happy during the battle of your Goliath.
"An Unspoken Struggle" will be a series of blog posts that guide you in your battle, how to turn from shame toward hope, from despair toward courage and how to retain the beauty of intimacy and sexuality while untangling yourself from porn. Unlike most addictions and misuse, we don't want to destroy, avoid or suppress our heavenly gift of sexuality. Too many have "defeated" their Goliaths only to find a new problem when they get married. Then, intimacy becomes difficult, avoided, or triggers past addictions.
If you have any specific thoughts, questions or curiosities that you'd like me to address, please contact me directly or in the comments section.
Other accounts of women overcoming pornography addiction:
No Longer Addicted: My Journey to Overcome Pornography, December 2013 New Era
Pornography Addiction: Is There Hope? (video below)
Repost On Modesty
“[Modesty] is a condition of the heart. It is an outward manifestation of an inner knowledge and commitment. It is an expression that we understand our identity as daughters of God.” —Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women General President, 2008-2013)
The "For Strength of Youth" pamphlet that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has provided is an excellent resource and provides guidelines for dress and conduct. However, as a church member, I have wondered about how we teach these guidelines and our interpretations of them. As I do in my life with everything I read, I trust in the words of James 1:5. I ask, "But what does that really mean?" What was the intent and meaning? And what is God’s desire for us to learn from His teachings? Therefore, I have been asking myself for awhile now about the meaning of and teaching of modesty.
I have been discovering insights over the last few months, and today I came across a scriptural-based article that perfectly pulled my thoughts together on modesty. I was so impressed with a recent article by Rachel Held Evans that any addition to the topic I believe would dilute her points. Modesty is a topic I have been researching for some time now and desired to provide a scripture-guided context to the subject. But Rachel Held Evans in "Modesty: I Don't Think it Means What You Think it Means" did a much better job than I could; therefore, I provide you with some of my favorite comments from the article and a link back to her original post. The entire article is brilliant, and I struggle to choose my favorite comment. The following four quotes, I believe, give a good synopsis of the message.
1. "In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, the apostle Paul writes “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” The Greek word translated “modesty” here is kosmios. Derived from kosmos (the universe), it signifies orderliness, self-control and appropriateness. It appears only twice in the New Testament, and interestingly, its second usage refers specifically to men (1 Timothy 3:2). In fact, nearly all of the Bible’s instructions regarding modest clothing refer not to sexuality, but rather materialism (Isaiah 3:16-23, 1 Timothy 2:9-12, 1 Peter 3:3). Writers in both the Old Testament and New Testament express grave concern when the people of God flaunt their wealth by buying expensive clothes and jewelry while many of their neighbors suffered in poverty. (Ironically, I’ve heard dozens of sermons about keeping my legs and my cleavage out of sight, but not one about ensuring my jewelry was not acquired through unjust or exploitative trade practices—which would be much more in keeping with biblical teachings on modesty."
2. "And so biblical modesty isn’t about managing the sexual impulses of other people; it’s about cultivating humility, propriety and deference within ourselves"
3. "Notice Jesus doesn’t say, “everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart, so ladies, be sure to dress more modestly.” Instead he says to the men, “if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away”! The IVP New Testament Commentary notes that at the time, “Jewish men expected married Jewish women to wear head coverings to prevent lust. Jewish writers often warned of women as dangerous because they could invite lust (as in Sirach 25:21; Ps. Sol. 16:7-8), but Jesus placed the responsibility for lust on the person doing the lusting.”
4. "But our bodies are not something to be overcome; they are not dirty or shameful or inherently tempting. They are a beautiful part of what it means to be created in the image of God. These are the bodies that allow us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, the bodies that feel sun on our skin and sand between our toes, the bodies that nurse babies and cry with friends, the bodies that emerge from the waters of baptism and feast on the bread of communion. They are beautiful, and they are good."
The Apostle Peter: A Story Of Unshakable Obedience And Faith, Not Failure
“Some time ago a newspaper in a distant town carried an Easter Sunday religion editorial by a minister who stated that the presiding authority of the early-day church fell because of self-confidence, indecision, evil companions, failure to pray, lack of humility, and fear of man. He then concluded:
Let us as people, especially those who are Christians and claim to abide by the Word of God, not make the same mistakes and fall as Peter fell. (Rev. Dorsey E. Dent, “A Message for This Week.”)
As I read this, I had some strange emotions. I was shocked, then I was chilled, then my blood changed its temperature and began to boil. I felt I was attacked viciously, for Peter was my brother, my colleague, my example, my prophet, and God’s anointed. I whispered to myself, 'That is not true. He is maligning my brother.'” —Elder Spencer W. Kimball
There is no problem with the story of Peter. The way we traditionally read the story of the Apostle Peter might be an incorrect narrative of his character and misrepresentation of the scriptural account. For all the great our beloved Peter did, we often focus on the story of his “fall” and how quickly he repented and became the “Rock” upon which the church was built. It is a miraculous story: the power of the Atonement, a story of how even the best of us can fall away — even deny the very Lord who has given us life. But yet, even with such denials and sins brought on in times of fear and loneliness, pain, or lapses in faith, the poignant power of the atonement reaches beyond our despair and can redeem. Not only does it restore us to what we once were, but it propels us to greatness and unshakable faith. President Gordon B. Hinckley's heartfelt description of the Apostle Peter is as follows:
“My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.
“Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret …
“If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God.” (“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6)
This is the narrative you hear in connection with the tragic and great events of Peter's life in occasional conference talks, sacrament meetings, Sunday School lessons and family home evenings throughout The Church. This version of the Apostle Peter's story is also taught in our current manuals (Lesson 26 of the New Testament Sunday School Manual).
The doctrine is true, but the story might not be. Although this doctrine is pure and correct — the atonement is miraculous, infinite and able to make you into something greater than you now are — it may NOT be the lesson learned from the life of Peter. In no way am I suggesting our leaders have led us astray; the principles of the atonement they teach are most certainly true. I do wonder, however, if the use of the Apostle Peter is an accurate example of this lesson. It doesn't make sense and isn't consistent with his character.
As an early-morning Seminary teacher and now as a Sunday School teacher, I saw how easy it was for the youth to default to the “primary answers” when studying the scriptures but failed to take Nephi’s admonition:
“And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1 Nephi 19:23)
Therefore, to help them “liken all scriptures” to themselves, I challenged them to ask a simple question about everything they read: “What does that really mean?” It would go something like this.
“Jennifer, will you read John 18:10-12?”
“Yes, of course Brother Burgess
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,”
“Class, what do we learn from Peter and Christ's response in this story? Yes, Cameron.”
“Peter was faithful to Christ and Christ forgives everyone.” (the Primary answer, not wrong, just not likening the scriptures to ourselves.)
“Great answer Cameron, BUT, what does that really mean to you, to us? Kevin, yes, what do you think it really means?”
“Well, I know if I was Peter I would be excited to protect a man I admired and loved, especially if it was the Savior. I would want to show him how much I trust him and would be willing to defend him. I can’t imagine what Peter felt about the Savior. But last week I found out that someone at school was bullying my little sister, and I wanted to find that person and beat them up. My sister gets on my nerves at times, but I would do anything to protect her.”
“Wonderful answer Kevin, I believe that helps us understand a little better what Peter's love and respect for the Savior was like. Additionally, even with that great love Peter had for the Savior, what lesson does the Lord teach Peter that will help us with how we show love to those like your sister and her bully?”
As for the “denial” story of Peter, I can’t help but ask, “What does that really mean?” What if I were Peter, sworn absolute loyalty to Christ, loved him, admired him, cared profoundly for him, would willing give my life for him? Peter wasn't empty in his words. His actions were evidence of his desires, faith and love. Why would he rebel from his established character and do exactly the opposite of what he did just moments previous. Fear? A moment of weakness? There is no evidence of such, no indication, no patterns to suggest the slightest fear or wavering faith.
In 1971, then Elder Spencer W. Kimball examined his fellow apostle's traditional story and felt it didn't make any sense. Therefore, he likened it to himself and provided a much different perspective and this interesting observation:
"Much of the criticism of Simon Peter is centered in his denial of his acquaintance with the Master. This has been labeled “cowardice.” Are we sure of his motive in that recorded denial? He had already given up his occupation and placed all worldly goods on the altar for the cause. If we admit that he was cowardly and denied the Lord through timidity, we can still find a great lesson. Has anyone more completely overcome mortal selfishness and weakness? Has anyone repented more sincerely? Peter has been accused of being harsh, indiscreet, impetuous, and fearful. If all these were true, then we still ask, Has any man ever more completely triumphed over his weaknesses?...
If Peter was frightened in the court when he denied his association with the Lord, how brave he was hours earlier when he drew his sword against an overpowering enemy, the night mob. Later defying the people and state and church officials, he boldly charged, “Him [the Christ] … ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2:23.) To the astounded populace at the healing of the cripple at the Gate Beautiful, he exclaimed, “Ye men of Israel … the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate … ye denied the Holy One … And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:12–15.) Peter My Brother
Elder Kimball considers the possibility that stress, confusion or even lack of understanding were factors:
Could it have been confusion and frustration that caused Peter’s denial? Could there still have been some lack of understanding concerning the total unfolding of the plan? Being a leader, Peter was a special target of the adversary. As the Lord said:
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. (Luke 22:31–32.)
Peter was under fire; all the hosts of hell were against him. The die had been cast for the Savior’s crucifixion. If Satan could destroy Simon now, what a victory he would score. Here was the greatest of all living men. Lucifer wanted to confuse him, frustrate him, limit his prestige, and totally destroy him. However, this was not to be, for he was chosen for and ordained to a high purpose in heaven, as was Abraham.
Peter followed the Savior to his trial and sat in the outer court. What else could he do? He knew that many times the Savior himself had escaped from the crowd by slipping out of their clutches. Would he again do so? (Speeches of the Year [Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1971], pp. 1–8.)
A denial would be uncharacteristic of Peter and incongruent with the record we have of him. He was faithful in all he did and desired to never leave his Savior's side. An examination of his interactions with the Lord shows nothing amiss:
Peter meets Jesus through his brother Andrew who was a follower of John the Baptist. (John 1:40-41)
Peter willingly leaves his career and livelihood as a fisherman to follow Jesus. (Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16-18)
Peter has Jesus heal his sick mother-in-law. (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39)
Peter demonstrates great faith in Jesus when casting his net to the other side of his boat after an unfruitful night of fishing. (Luke 5:4-7)
Jesus knows the heart and character of Simon and changes his name to Peter (from the Greek word petros, meaning rock or stone). (Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, John 1:42)
Peter becomes one of the witnesses to a miracle Jesus performed, raising a little girl back from the dead. (Matthew 9:23-26, Mark 5:37-43, Luke 8:51-55)
Peter's desire and faith to become like Jesus is demonstrated when he sees Jesus walking on water. He is the only Apostle who asks Jesus to command him to walk to Him. Peter's inability to completely do so should not be viewed as a failure, but rather how great our Lord is and how Peter's faith was greater than any other's in that boat to even try to do as Jesus was doing. (Matthew 14:28-29, John 6:19-20)
Peter makes a pronouncement about the deity of Jesus. (Matthew 16:16, John 6:68-69)
Jesus tell Peter why he is the rock and that the Church would be built on him. (This couldn't possibly be a man who would deny Christ.) (Matthew 16:18)
After Jesus proclaims that He will be killed and then rise on the third day, out of love and concern, Peter "rebukes him" and forbids it. But Jesus sternly informs Peter it must happen, and it is the adversary's desire He not complete his mission. (Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-33)
Peter, along with James and John, witnesses the transfiguration of Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah on a mountain. (Matthew 17:1-3, Mark 9:2-3, Luke 9:29-32)
When Jesus is arrested by the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, Peter takes his sword out and cuts off the ear of a servant. (Matthew 26:51, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:50, John 18:10)
But what about Jesus's prediction that Peter would deny Him three times before a rooster crowed? (Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34, John 13:38) And what about Peter telling Jesus that he would never deny Him? (Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:31)
In reference to Peter's interchange with Christ and his denial, John F. Hall (FairMormon Bio), Professor of Classics, Comparative Studies at BYU, says the following in his book "New Testament Witnesses of Christ: Peter, John, James and Paul" (Purchase on Amazon HERE) :
"Close examination of the original Greek of John's account (John 13:38) reveals that the phrase "till thou hast denied me thrice" is structured around the verb αρνηση, a second person singular future verb form. Virtually the same verb άπαρνηση, in the same second person singular future indicative form, appears in Matthew (26:34) Mark (14:30), and Luke (22:34). Although the tense is future, and may accurately be construed as indicating a prediction or prophecy of Peter's future behavior, it is possible that such a rendering is not at all the meaning of Christ's statement. In Greek, a future tense verb in the second person can also be construed to express a command, just as if it were an imperative form of the verb. The usage is given the grammatical term of the "jussive future." It occurs not infrequently in both classical and koine Greek.
Accordingly, if the future in these passages is interpreted as a jussive future, then Christ would seem actually to be giving Peter a command to deny knowing Him, and Peter's protestation would seem to reflect his dissatisfaction about such an instruction. This rendering appears very much in keeping with Peter's natural courage ..." (Pg. 65-66)
John F. Hall then make this insight in the context of this information:
"Restraint would test Peter's faith so much more, for he was being refused permission to expose himself to the tribulations that Christ must undertake alone." (Pg. 66)
What a wonderful and harmonious interpretation of the Apostle Peter's story, equally powerful and profound as the traditional version but probably a more accurate view of Peter's character. Once again, in the words of President Kimball,
"What was he to do? Could he do more? What would have been the result had he admitted his connection? Would he have lived to preside over the church? Peter had seen the Savior escape from crowds many times and hide from assassins. Is it conceivable that Peter also saw advisable advantage to the cause in his denial? Had Peter come to fully realize the hidden meaning in the oft-repeated phrase “Mine hour is not yet come” (John 2:4), and did he now understand that “now is the Son of man glorified” (John 13:31)?" (Speeches of the Year [Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1971], pp. 1–8.)
So, what should you do the next time you hear the traditional version of the story of the Apostle Peter? Just listen and ask in quiet reflection: "But what does that really mean?" Allow the Spirit to guide your understanding as you liken the lesson to your own life.
Because She Is A Mother
“You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you — He who resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.
Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: ‘Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.’
Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.’ You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, even — no, especially — when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.’ And it will make your children whole as well.” —Elder Jeffery R. Holland
A light in Darkness
"The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we 'give' are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us."
—Neal A. Maxwell
One evening after attending the temple, I looked back and saw what I was feeling: a light in an hour of darkness. What great joy and gratitude I have for such a wonderful blessing of the temple. It has brought so much peace, confidence and clarity in my life. It is that tree of life I look toward as I travel this path of life. It is the place I am reminded of how to turn my will over to Him.
Sunday School For The Noisy
If you have kids, a noisy husband or are a nursing mother, this Sunday School class is for you. For the last two years I have had the wonderful pleasure of teaching a Sunday School designed specifically for parents of toddlers. The class is open to everyone, and there is a handful of individuals and couples without kids, but it is structured specifically for those who have active children too young to attend nursery or primary.
My hope in structuring the class is to provide a living room–type classroom experience. Parents are encouraged to let their kids roam and play. If kids become antsy or upset, parents can attend to their needs right there in class. Over the last two years, we have had many diaper changes, crying babies and nursing mothers. All is welcome and encouraged. This is an environment where mothers and fathers never need to be concerned with a distracting child or that they are interrupting others' spiritual experience. We have proven reverence doesn't equal silence.
This Sunday School has been a welcomed refuge for mothers and fathers with young children who have traditionally felt banished to walking the halls or hiding out in nursing rooms when their children have become inconsolable. There is never a need to leave this classroom. Everyone who attends knows what to expect from the environment. Parents never need to be concerned that their fussy baby or roaming child is a distraction to another. Now the foyer couches, hallways and nursing rooms are empty and the classroom is always full. By providing this open, comfortable — and in a lot of ways, safe — environment, I have heard the thankful relief from the spiritually-craving mother who once felt torn from either being spiritually fed or feeding their baby. Now she feels she can do both.
Additionally, class participation is never an issue. I have taught Sunday School on and off for over 15 years, and this is the first time I've actually never encouraged the class to bring or open their scriptures. You'll never need to feel concerned that you'll be caught unprepared or called on to read out of your scriptures. With a bottle in one hand and a baby in the other, my hope is that you will not feel you have to put down the bottle to reach for the scriptures. Therefore, I present every lesson on a screen. Each quote, scripture and video is easily seen by everyone. Even if your hands are full tending to your parental duties, you can follow along, read and not feel you lost your spot in the lesson while tending to your child's needs.
How to have a successful, spiritual noisy Sunday School:
1. Seek the individual needs of the parents.
Pray over each family to understand their gospel needs and how it can be addressed in the lesson.
2. Become comfortable with noise.
Learn how to talk through the noise. Avoid getting louder or waiting till the noise subsides. Getting louder or silencing can make parents feel they are disrupting the class. Do your best to stay on point and continue the lesson as though the noise was not present.
3. Prepare and use PowerPoint, Google Presentation or slide presentation.
Use technology in a meaningful way, but keep it simple.
Refer to my Sunday School Class slides for an example of how to use media in the class.
4. Eliminate shame.
When the idea for the class was inspired, some perceived the class as a form of punishment, where the "Hallway Parents" were assigned to attend. It could potentially even reinforce the idea that parents with children don't belong in "normal" Sunday School class because it disrupts the Spirit. Fortunately, our bishop did a wonderful job at reminding the congregation each week in a loving way that there was this new class designed to meet the needs of those with toddlers.
5. Eliminate shame in class.
Like number 4, continue that love and admiration of your ward family and bring it into the class each week. Be mindful to remind everyone the nature of the class: that they never need to leave with their child or feel bad that their child is noisy.
6. Make the lesson applicable to their lives.
This point is essential for any class you teach, but I believe more so for a class of young parents who are distracted with children. They come for nourishment in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As tempting as it may be to lecture a scholarly presentation with PowerPoint or rattle the lesson off point by point as outlined, don't! I am not suggesting "dumbing down" the lesson. We have had amazing, profound discussions over the last couple years. But remember these are parents juggling kids, listening through the noise and thinking about the week full of activities.
Keep the slides simple but meaningful.
I have found it much more useful to present a thought-provoking 1-4 sentence quote rather than a 10-15 verse reading of the scriptures or detailing of historical events or scholarly perspectives.
7. Make sure you have more than enough room!
This is critical. After a year of a very successful Spirit-filled noisy Sunday School, our ward had a schedule change. We were moved from a large room that was packed each week to a room that was about half its size. We didn't lose half the class; we lost almost all the class. With the room change, if we were to set the class up like a traditional class we could fit everyone in. But doing so would not allow parents space to feel comfortable in letting their kids roam. Parents couldn't stand and soothe their crying kids without being in the way of other parents. As a result, families were again in the halls and nursing rooms. Fortunately, we were able to remedy the issue — the bishop assigned us a new, much larger room.
This has been one of the most rewarding callings I have ever had. Our bishop was truly inspired when he identified the need for a Sunday School class like this. Over the last two years, we have had many visitors who deeply appreciated the class and wished they had one in their home ward. I hope that these ideas can be used to bring a successful Noisy Sunday School class to your ward.