A Word of Wisdom (1979)

A WORD OF

M A R K E. PETERSEN

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50 East North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

i A Word of Wisdom ^

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ELDER MARK E . PETERSEN

Member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles One day a rich young man came to Jesus, asking how to gain eternal life. The Savior explained, and invited him to become one of his disciples. But the rich young man turned away, sorrowing. T h e things of this world were more important to h i m than the fellowship of the Lord.

Each one of us must make a choice concerning the gospel. Either we must live it or not. W e cannot come half way. W e cannot divide our interest. N o r can we be "hot" one day and "cold" the next. " N o man can serve two masters . . . ye cannot serve God and mammon."* The Savior taught his disciples that they had "come out of the world" by reason of their conversion to the gospel. Therefore he urged them to avoid those worldly things which would defile them and lead them to destruction.

Salvation comes not in worldly ways. " M y kingdom is not of this world" the Lord announced to Pilate. Converts to his truth must be willing to leave even father and mother if iMatthew 6:24.

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necessary to take up their cross and follow him. If we are not willing to make a sacrifice as part of the price of admission into his Church, thus taking up the cross as he expressed it, we then are not worthy of him.

The true followers of the Lord have always left "the world" as he expressed it. A n d in doing so, some of them have suffered persecution. But this was not surprising, for the Lord had told them: " I f ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.""

Coming "out of the world" to follow the Lord was not new even at the time of Jesus' mortal ministry. From the beginning it had been so. Saintly people were told down through the ages they were to "flee from Babylon," and not partake of her sins. They were to be clean and holy.

W h e n Isaiah spoke to ancient Israel, he cried out: "Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing, go ye out of the midst of her: B E Y E C L E A N T H A T BEAR T H E VESSELS O F T H E L O R D . " ' Each convert to the truth "bears the vessels of the Lord." Each one must be clean and holy, for no unclean thing may come into his presence.*

A Cleansing is Provided A l l are sinners to some extent, it is admitted.

But the Lord provides a means of cleansing.

It is through faith i n Christ, repentance from all our sins, and baptism for remission of sins.

If a person fully trusts in the Lord, and com2John 15:19.

3Isaiah 52:11.

*Ephesians 5:5.

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pletely abandons his sins, he may receive a remission of those sins by submitting to baptism by immersion in water, at the hands of an authorized servant of God. But the repentance must precede the baptism. Cleansing follows a departure from sin.

The Apostle Paul explained to us that our bodies are the temples of the Spirit of God. " K n o w ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of G o d dwelleth i n you?" he asked. " I f any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple are y e . " ' It is simple to understand that if the Holy Spirit of G o d is to dwell within us, we must be pure and clean to receive it. It is unthinkable that his Holy Spirit would enter unclean tabernacles. A cleansing must come first. That is w h y he gives us faith as a first principle of the gospel, then repentance in which we depart from all our sins, and after that, baptism for the remission of those sins. It is most logical that the Lord provides for conferring his Holy Spirit after the ordinance of baptism in water, for then are we clean, then are we fit tabernacles or temples i n which the Spirit may dwell.

W h a t is it that defiles our bcxlies? O f what must we repent to make ready for the reception of the Holy Spirit?

Things which Defile W e are defiled in our minds and our souls by vicious deeds, by evil thoughts, by rebellious and selfish dispositions, in fact by all those things condemned in the commandments. n Corinthians 3:16-17.

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But we also are defiled, literally and physicaUy, by things which we may take into our bodies which destroy our health, rob us of oiu: proper functions, and weaken us to the point where we may surrender to worse things.

Can we disregard the effects of liquor, for instance? C a n we close our eyes to the manner in which it robs people of their own good judgment and balance? C a n we ignore the sins to which drunkenness leads? A n d can we overlook the debilitory effects of alcohol on our health, mental and physical? Then does alcohol defile the body?

T u r n to your Bible and see the many times drunkenness has been condemned, both i n O l d and New Testaments. N o one reading and believing the word of G o d can say that drunkenness is pleasing to the Almighty. " B e not among winebibbers," cautioned the Proverbs, "for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty."^ One of the characteristics of the evil servant as described by the Christ was that he shall "eat and drink with the drunken."* T h e Lord preached against drunkenness i n one of his last discourses on earth.* Liquor is intoxicating. Intoxication is condemned by the Lord. W h o can tell how far a drinker will go after his first drink? W i l l he stop with the first, or will that lead to a second, to a third? W i l l it lead eventually to alcoholism? N o one can tell when he begins to drink whether he tvill become a confirmed alcoholic.

Not one of the present day alcoholics intended to become such.

Drunkermess demoralizes people. It leads ^Proverbs 23:21. ^Matthew 24:49.

SLuSe 21:34.

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them to sin. Statistics clearly show that most persons involved i n unchaste and other evil practices have been influenced by drink. Medical journals are replete with discussions pertaining to the harmful effects of alcohol on digestion, liver, and heart.

The fact is that alcoholic beverages defile the body. Therefore they make the body u n clean, and render it unfit to receive of the Holy Spirit.

Other things taken into the body similarly defile it. W h a t are they? H o w may we know?

If we are earnest in our desire to serve the Lord, we w i l l desire also to know what elements defile us, so that we may be free of them, and thus make ourselves fit recipients of the Spirit of God.

God Gives Us Direction The Lord does not leave his people without guidance on this any more than he does on other matters.

A s part of the great work of restoration of the Gospel i n these last days, the Lord made known to modem men the manner i n which they may preserve their bodies in purity as the temples of his Spirit.

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith he gave a revelation which has come to be known as the W o r d of Wisdom. T h i s revelation was given following an inquiry by the Prophet, who was troubled over customs of his day pertaining to the use of liquor, tobacco and other things which seemed harmful and u n clean.

I n response the Lord spoke to him as follows: " A W o r d of Wisdom, for the benefit of the

council of high priests, assembled i n Kirdand, and the church, and also the saints i n Zion— " T o be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and w i l l of God i n the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days— " G i v e n 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.

"Behold verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: I n consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist i n the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarned you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— "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. " A n d behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

"And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. " A n d 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. " A n d again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. " A n d again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs G o d hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— "Every herb i n the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof: all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

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" Y e a , 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; " A n d it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only i n times of winter, or cold, or famine. " A l l 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 r u n or creep on the earth; 7? 5 ~ " A n d these hath G o d made for the use of man only i n times of famine and excess of hunger. " A l l 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— "Nevertheless, wheat for man, and c o m 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. " A n d all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking i n obedience to the commandments, shall receive health i n their navel and marrow to their bones; " A n d shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; " A n d shall m n and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. " A n d 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.* ^Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89.

// is Applicable to All Here then is a revelation on health and cleanliness. It is applicable to all, and is adapted to the capacity of even the weakest among us. It tells us how to live so that we may be clean i n body to receive the Holy Spirit, and is also a guide i n our eating habits, thus helping us to keep well.

It will be noted that the first thing mentioned by way of warning is liquor. N e x t comes tobacco.

Both of these items are widely used today.

Most people do not attach a moral significance to them, and hardly see their relationship to religion. But there is a definite relationship, both moral and spiritual.

Is there any proof? D o doctors who study the human body admit that there is harm i n the use of tobacco?

For many years medical men and insurance companies have warned us against the use of this "weed," but recently there has come new and startling information on the subject. T o bacco not only defiles the body, it hastens death!

But how?

B y filling the body with tars, nicotine, and other substances which bring disease! It is one of the great causes of cancer, the American Cancer Society declares, and it likewise is an important factor in heart trouble.

Physicians in the American Cancer Society estimate that 52,000,000 Americans now l i v ing will develop cancer at some time in their lives. About 75 percent of them w i l l die of that disease. A t present 330 000 men, women, and children die annually of cancer.

O f this 330,000 about 62,000 are dying of lung cancer. According to the American C a n cer Society "three out of four deaths from lung cancer are due to cigarette smoking."

D r . Alton Ochsner, past president of the American College of Surgeons, who performs several lung operations per week, estimates that of the living persons in America now suffering from cancer, 200,000 are smokers with bronchogenic cancer.

Tobacco is a Weapon It is admitted that heart disease is the n u m ber one killer in America, but cancer is number two. Medical research now demonstrates that tobacco has become a lethal weapon for both these diseases. The nicotine abets heart disease while the tars in tobacco are the tools of cancer. They are both described as "active agents" of these diseases.

Heart trouble is not just one disease. It is a collection of them with high blood pressure and coronary cases comprising about twothirds of the entire total number of cases.

Heart disease kills about 1,000,000 Americans a year, 54 percent of our total deaths. Many non-users of tobacco get heart trouble, of course, just as is the case of non-smokers who suffer with cancer. B u t the ratio of deaths among patients of these two diseases is much greater if they smoke.

It has been asked "do doctors smoke?"

D r . J . D e W i t t F o x writing i n the magazine Life and Health answered that question by saying: " Y e s , but not all of them, certainly not lung surgeons." H e went on to say that a surgeon cannot take out lung after lung from

smoking men and not be impressed with the danger of his own life if he smokes.

Dr. Fox explained that surveys among doctors disclose that some smoke and some do not. "Sad but true" he said, " i s the fact that some doctors do smoke which makes them reluctant to condemn smoking. It is like the fat doctor trying to reduce the fat patient. He is not enthusiastic about the idea. H i s example is not there and he does not have the heart to condemn himself along with the patient."

Medical men have done some figuring in mathematics. I n one instance they took a typical patient who became a moderate smoker at the age of 30. U p to the time he died of lung cancer, he had smoked 90,702 cigarettes.

Measuring his actual length of life against the normal expectancy, it was discovered that each cigarette cost him exactly 13 minutes of life.

How Things Have Changed Twenty years ago one of the popular brands of cigarettes advertised that smoking was good for the nerves and the digestion.

A ski jumper was quoted i n one of these ads as saying: "Skiing takes a healthy set of nerves and a good digestion. I smoke Cigarettes a lot. I know they don't get on my nerves and they help my digestion. 1 would not enjoy eating as much i f I could not smoke Cigarettes at my meals."

A t the bottom of this announcement the agent for the brand of cigarettes for which the skier was paid to make this peculiar statement said in large letters: " F o r digestion's sake smoke Cigarettes."

Other advertisements said:

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" I ' m going to save my throat. I ' m switching Cigarettes." * v ; "They don't irritate sensitive throats."

There were still more, but one really was amusing. Everyone knows about the odor that goes with a tobacco pipe. T h e agent for one type of pipe tobacco tried to captivate his readers with: "Makes your pipe welcome anywhere. " I n order to cash in on the general trend of sales talk of that day and recognizing what tobacco does to the teeth, a toothpaste company joined in the general cry with: " W h a t every smoker needs—a beauty bath for the teeth. Use toothpaste."

B u t that was 20 years ago, and much can happen i n 20 years. Much did happen in the tobacco business. N o longer do the tobacco companies advertise smoking "for digestion sake" because the doctors have exploded that theory along with many others.

W h a t do the doctors say about smoking and digestion anyway?

D r . Alton Ochsner, president of the American College of Surgeons, wrote i n his splendid book Smoking and Cancer saying: "Many medical men point to the fact that the resins and tars i n tobacco are absorbed i n the saliva and swallowed and thus are commonly accepted as the cause of pre-cancerous conditions in the stomach. Tobacco produces an irritation of the gastric mucous membrane causing a continuous outpouring of hydrochloric acid which eventually, under certain circumstances, can cause an ulcer. Often such ulcers become malignant. " T h e burden that cigarette smoking imposes upon the gastro-intestinal tract and the res-

piratory system is incontestable. * * * * B u t regardless of whether the ulcer is in the stomach or i n the duodenum, 1 have yet to see a patient get well if he continues to smoke. I flatly refuse to treat ulcer patients who do not agree to discontinue smoking."

They Actually Risk Death It is true, of course, that many smokers do not die of cancer. But the doctors warn that unless cigaret smokers die from something else first, they at least risk death from lung cancer at about the age of 55.

A n d whether or not they die from tobaccoinduced cancer i n the lung or mouth or stomach, they may still suffer from many other things brought on by the use of this "weed." There are still such things as heart disease \vhich is definitely and adversely affected by the use of tobacco, some circulatory ailments, cerebrial hemorrhage, or blindness from nicotine amblyopia.

Certainly nearly every smoker loses much of his sense of taste and smell, or becomes nervous and irritable. Digestion of smokers is usually bad, not to mention the odor of their breath. A n d there is smokers' cough, smokers' throat, smoker's lar^mx, smoker's pharynx, or smokers' asthma, ailments familiar to us all, which are directly traceable to the use of tobacco. Doctors have discovered some indications that smoking may make men impotent and women sterile.

W e might go on at length to show how both tobacco and liquor defile the body, but we need not take further space here to do so.

There is adequate scientific research available to all who wish to read it. But it is easily seen

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why the Lord, more than a century ago, cautioned his Saints against the use of these harmful things. Surely it was a word of wisdom extended by a loving Father to his children here on earth.

I n reading the revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, reference is made to hot drinks.

W h a t are they?

There are many hot drinks. It is admitted that continuous taking of excessively hot substances into the mouth and stomach is harmful to health. It is well, therefore, to avoid such practices. But in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith a definite determination of what "hot drinks" meant was desired. The leaders of the Church in that day defined them as tea and coffee. They were the prevailing household hot drink then as they are today.

How Harmful Are They?

But is there some reason w h y we should avoid the use of tea and coffee, other than that they are served hot? W e are reminded of course that many people take them as iced drinks i n w a r m weather. Should we avoid tea and coffee as such, whether served hot or cold? Are they i n violation of the W o r d of W i s d o m i n either case?

The C h u r c h teaches that the use of tea and coffee, whether hot or cold, is i n violation of the W o r d of Wisdom, because of the fact that these drinks contain harmful and habit-forming substances. The caffeine i n tea and coffee has a detrimental effect upon the health, and is therefore "not good for m a n , " to use the language of the revelation.

The effect of caffeine upon the human body is a most interesting study, and has been the

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subject of much research. A large file on the subject has been built up in the Library of the Surgeon General of the United States Army, as well as by other official and unofficial agencies.

Basing his work upon the files of the Surgeon General of the Army, D r . L . Weston Oaks published a book on the subject i n which he established that: 1. Caffeine is a drug which falls into a major class with strychnin and brucin, except that caffeine has a wider scene of action and affects parts of the nervous system which are not affected by the other drugs mentioned.

2. Caffeine attacks the nervous system of the human body. D r . G . M . Niles, writing in the Journal of the South Carolina Medical A s sociation, makes an appeal that children be spared the injurious effects of the use of coffee. D r . Niles pointed out that coffee interferes with normal nutrition and growth.

3. Caffeine has an injurious effect upon the kidneys and also upon the digestion. C o n s t i pation is often a result. ' - ' 4. Caffeine has been known to promote u n due high blood pressure and is known to have a harmful effect upon the heart.

British Condemn Tea It is interesting to note a British comment upon the use of tea. Probably there is a higher percentage per capita of tea drinkers i n E n g land than anywhere else. ; -IL ": Under the caption "There's A D r u g I n That Tea C u p , " Reveille, Britain's " A l l - F a m i l y Weekly Newspaper," recently said: "Millions of people in Britain today are drug addicts without knowing it. They are not

included i n the official Home Office figures of known drug-addicts, the people who smoke marijuana and hashish. These number only 4,000.

"Nevertheless, they are in almost as much danger according to medical experts. The drugs they crave are tea, tobacco, sleeping-pills, and slimming pills.

"Truest addicts. Tea-drinkers are, i n fact, the truest type of drug-addicts according to D r . Barnett Stross, M . P . for Stoke on Trent and an authority on industrial diseases. " A n average strong cup of tea contains about one and a half grains of the drug caffeine," he says.

"Caffeine is a brain stimulant. Some people think nothing of drinking ten cups of tea a day which gives them each day 15 grains of caffeine. The highest dose of the drug prescribed by doctors is five grains a day."

There are many other things used by the human race which actually are harmful to them. Some are used as medicines, and i n this respect may have some value, but, on the other hand, if used to excess, cause injury as a result.

A n d then there are some soft drinks which contain harmful or habit-forming ingredients.

The leaders of the C h u r c h have not attempted to add to the list of prohibitions i n the W o r d of W i s d o m to include all such items, but they teach that in the spirit of the W o r d of W i s dom, if not i n the letter, we should avoid a n y thing which contains ingredients which are harmful and habit forming.

The Lord gives us good judgment and a measure i n intelligence. Without detailed d i rection from our leaders we may determine very largely for ourselves whether certain

beverages or items of food are good or bad for us, and i n the spirit of the revelation from the Lord, do that which is best for us.

It will be noted that the Lord in the W o r d of Wisdom cautions against the excessive use of meats. But the Lord also warns against those who say that we should eat no meat at all.

As you read the W o r d of W i s d o m you will see that "flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, 1, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving." But he then goes on to urge temperance in the use of these items of diet, saying, "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."

Meat is Not Forbidden There are those in the world who teach that no meat at all should be included in the human diet. The Lord does not take this position. A s is shown from this revelation he gave us the flesh of beasts and of fowl for food, but that they were to be used sparingly.

It will be remembered what Paul the Apostle said about those who forbid the use of meats: " N o w the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; v-^ "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which G o d hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

"For every creature of God is good, and

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nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: " F o r it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.""

Following the flood, when the Lord outlined to N o a h what he and his family could use for food, he said: " A n d G o d blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. " A n d the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. " B u t flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not e a t . " " I n another revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord again touched on this subject and declared that those who forbid the use of meats, "that man should not eat the same is not ordained of G o d . " " B u t w h y should there be a caution against the over use of meat? D i d the Lord have a reason? . , , , .. ^ ,

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Excessive Amounts Harmful

Many leading physicians teach that a l though meat is an excellent protein food, if eaten i n too large quantities it is definitely harmful to health.

I n the book Uow To Live, b y D r s . Irving " 1 Timothy 4:1-5. ' .o • . " G e n e s i s 9:1-4. i^Doctrine and Covenants 49:18.

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Fisher of Y a l e University and Eugene L y m a n Fisk, medical director of the Life Extension Institution, we read: " W h e n protein is taken i n great excess of the body's need, as is usually the case i n the diet of Americans, added work is given the liver and kidneys, the circulation is overstimulated and the 'factor of safety' of these organs is exceeded. * * * "Before leaving the subject of intestinal poisoning, we may here again mention the i m portance of avoiding the poisoning that comes from too much protein. * * * " E v e n the most ardent advocates of a meat diet cannot produce scientific evidence to show that intestinal putrefaction to a high degree due to the presence of meat is i n any way beneficial to the organism. A high-protein diet, instead of increasing one's endurance has been showm, like alcohol, actually to reduce it."

Iderbs, fruits, and grains are urged by the Lord as good food. " A l l wholesome herbs G o d hath ordained for the constitution and use of man. every herb in the season thereof and ever}' fruit i n the season thereof; all of these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."

A n d next he said; " A l l grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether i n the ground or above the ground."

But then he adds that although all grains are good for human food, wheat is the staff of life for man.

Dieticians, of course, agree with this, saying that in wheat are, i n perfect balance,, the needs of the human body, even in the same proportion as in the human body. "Wheat, then.

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should be a major item of diet for human beings, with herbs, fruits, and meats added as prudence would direct.

Although the W o r d of Wisdom gives us that guidance in foods, it should be understood that the Church does not subscribe to extreme views urged by some with respect to grains, sugars, or other foods.

A marvelous promise is made by the Lord to those who keep this and his other commandments, for he said: " A n d all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health i n their navel and marrow to their bones; " A n d shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; " A n d shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. " A n d 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.""

Many people ask: Since the W o r d of W i s dom is given only as a word of wisdom, is it binding upon us?

The wording of the revelation includes this paragraph: "Not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom showing forth the order and will of God i n the temporal salvation of all saints i n the last d a y s . " " It is true that when first given it was not " b y commandment," but by "the order and will of G o d . " Because the leaders of the Church recognized that to go contrary to the w i l l and order i^Doctrine and Covenants 8 9 : 1 8 - 2 1 . " / b i d . , 89:2.

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of G o d was to place one out of harmony with the Lord, they have urged the Saints to keep this law in strict detail. W h i l e it was given as advice in the early days of the Church, it has since been made a commandment, binding upon the people. For that reason all members of the Church are expected to live this law.

So likewise obedience is asked of those who, after conversion to the truth, seek to obtain membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There have been those who have felt that a cup of coffee would never keep them out of heaven, nor would a little cigaret. A n d these same individuals have urged that occasional use of such items could never break down one's health. They ask, therefore, wliat there is about such practice which would be so serious. Some wonder w h y they cannot be baptized even though still breaking this law.

There is deep spiritual significance i n observance of the W o r d of Wisdom. I n the first place, the Lord himself gave us this law as his \\'ill and order. W e are out of harmony with him if we fail to bow to his w i l l . A n d if we are in opposition to his will, we are i n opposition to him. If we are in opposition to him, we are not working with him nor helping to build his kingdom. Actually, when we oppose him, we are i n rebellion against h i m to that extent.

Can any one of us afford to oppose God, or set ourselves up in rebellion against him?

Are we fit for admission to his kingdom while we still violate his laws? W i l l he grant his Spirit to those who oppose him? A n d yet his Spirit is essential to our spiritual well being if we join his Church.

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If we fail to keep this law, and take into our bodies those things which defile them, do we invite or repel the Holy Spirit? D o we make our bodies fit or unfit to serve as temples of that Spirit?

There is only one answer. B y accepting the W o r d of W i s d o m we help to cleanse ourselves and become worthy to serve as vessels of the Lord. T o accept it in part only is also contrary to his will and expectation. H e does not deal in half-way measures.

He has commanded that we love him without reservation, with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. That allows for no partial performance. It requires wholehearted, wholesouled allegiance.

T o those who, i n the beginning of this dispensation, were about to enter upon his work, he said: " O ye that embark i n the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."^° Let this attitude be ours with respect to the W o r d of Wisdom.

"Ibid.,

4:2.

THE ARTICLES of

OE EAITH .

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: second. Repentance: third. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz;, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes: that Zion will be built upon this [the American] continent: that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping A l mighty God according to the dictates of our own

22

conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hopie to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

— J O S E P H SMITH

MISSION

ADDRESSES

Aiasfea-British C o l u m b i a Mission 5055 Connaught D r i v e Vancouver 13, B . C . , C a n a d a

Calijornia Mission 159i East Temple W a y Los Angeles. C a l i l o r n i a 90024

AXhena-Saskatchcwan Mission 1010 70th Avenue, S . W .

Calgary. Alberta, C a n a d a

C a l i j o r n i a Central Mission 4945 L i n c o l n W a y O a k l a n d , California 94602

Andes-Peru Mission Casilla de Correo 11293 L i m a 14, Peru

Calilornia East Mission 129 So. 1st A v e .

Arcadia, C a l i f o r n i a 9 1 0 0 6

Arqenlina North Mission Casilla D e Correo 17 Sucursal N o . 9 Cordoba, Argentina

California North Mission 1184 35th A v e .

Sacramento, C a l i f o r n i a 9 5 8 2 2

Argentina South Mission General Pacheco 1380 Martinez, Prov. B s . A s . Argentina

C a l i j o r n i a South Mission 710 N o . E u c l i d Suite 110 A n a h e i m . California 9 2 8 0 1

Arizona Mission P . O . Box 27056 Tempe, A r i z o n a

Central America Mission * Apartado 2339, San Jose, Costa R i c a , C . A .

Australia East Mission " P a x t o n " Russell Street WoUstonecraft Sydney, N . S . W . . Australia

C h i l e Missioti Casilla 28. ( A l c a n t a r a Las Condes, C h i l e

Australia South Mission 1216 Burke R o a d North B a l w y n Victoria, Australia 3104

Colorado-New Mexico Missioit P . O . Box 1679 (709 C l a r k s o n Street) Denver. Colorado 80218

Australia West Missioit P . O . Box 97 Marden, South Australia 5070 .Australia

Cumorah Mission 1840 Monroe Avenue Rochester, N e w Y o r k 14618

Austria Mission Fuerfangasse 4 1190 V i e n n a , A u s t r i a

Delaware-Maryland Mission 7615 Winterberry Place Bethesda, M a r y l a n d 20034

Bolivia Mission Casilla 4789 LaPaz, Bolivia

.'

Denmark Mission 164 Dalgas Boulevard D K 2 0 0 0 Copenhagen F . , D e n m a r k

.

Erazil North Central CaLxa Postal 20809 Sao Paulo, B r a z i l

360)

Mission

Eastern States Mission 973 Fifth Avenue N e w Y o r k C i t y , N e w Y o r k 10021

Brazil North Mission C a i x a Postal 2502 Z C - 0 0 Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara, Brazil

Entjland Central Mission " C o t s w o l d , " 185, Penns L a n e W a l m l e y , Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire, England

Brazil South Mission Caixa Postal 1513 Porto Alegre, R i o Grande do S u l Brazil

Eiiftland East Mission 64/68 E x h i b i t i o n R o a d London S.W.7, 2 P A , England

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Enfiland North Mission "Rossctt G r e e n " Rossett Green Lane Harrogate, Yorkshire, E n g l a n d

Guateinala-F.l Salvador Mission ( 3 A . A v c n i d a 11-57, Zona 9 ) .\partado Postal 587 Guatemala, Guatemala, C . A .

Enqland South Mission H i g h v i e w House, Great Tattcnhams, Epsom Surrey, E n g l a n d

Gull States Mission 2 6 1 0 Fairfield Avenue Shrcveport, Louisiana 71103

Englajid Southwest Mission "The Well House" 16 Ivy well R o a d Sneyd Park, Bristol 9, E n g l a n d

Hawaii Mission .3019 Pali Highway Honolulu, H a w a i i 96817

Einland Mission Neitsvtpolku 3 A . 4 Helsinki, F i n l a n d

Hong Kong Missioit No. 2 Cornwall Road Kowloon-Tong K o w l o o n , Hongkong

Elorida South Mission P . O . Box 11357 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33306

Indiana-Michiqait Mission 4700 O l d M i l l R o a d Fort W a y n e , Indiana 46807

France-Belgium Mission 564. chausce Romaine 1 S204-Strombeek-Bever Belgium

Ireland Mission • R c d h i l l " Finaghy R o a d South Upper Malone R o a d Belfast, Northern Ireland BTIO O D B

:. ..fiA ' r . '

ftalv South Mission V i a C i m o n e 95 00141 Rome, Italy

France Missioit 3 rue de Lota Paris 16, France Ercttch Polynesia Boite Postale 9 3 Papeete, T a h i t i

Mission

.

japan Missioit 5-8-10 M i n a m i A z a b u .Minato-Ku, T o k y o 106, Japan

French-Switzcrlattd Mission 8, C h e m i n W i l l i a m - B a r b c v 1292Chambesy (Geneve) Switzerland

Jiipnn Central Mission 4-6-28 Shinohara Honmachi N a d a K u , Kobe, Japan

Georqia-So Carolina Mission 2055 E . Lake R o a d , N . E .

Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Kansas-Missouri Mission 306 South Pleasant Street, Box 455 Independence, Missouri 64051

Germany Central Mission Moersenbroicher W c g 184 Duesseldorf N . , G e r m a n y

KcMlucliy-Tenncsscc Mission 1325 Eastern Parkway P . O . Box 4125.

Baxter Avenue Station Louisville, Kentucky 40204 2 '

Germait North Missicm 2000 H a m b u r g 50 Moerkcnstrasse 2 9 H , G e r m a n y

Korea Mission Box 210, K w a n g H w a M o o n Seoul, Korea

German South Missioit 8 M u n i c h 25 Machtlfingerstrasse 5 Germany

Maititoha-Miititesota Mission 5931 West 96th St. Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

German West Missioit Bettinastrasse 14-16, . ,".

Postfach 3106 6) Frankfurt/Main. Germany

Mexico Mission Monte Caucaso 1110 Lomas de Chapultcpec Mexico 10, D . F .

2)

V ?' .21

Mexico North Central Mission Apartado Postal 792.

Torteon, C o a h u i l a , Mexico

Ontario Missioit 338 Q u e e n St. East, Suite 205 Brampton, Ontario, C a n a d a

Mexico North Missioit Jamaica 501 Colonia V i s t a Hermosa Monterrey, N . L , , Mexico

Oregon Mission 2041 S . W . 58th Porthand, Oregon 97221

Mexico Southeast Mission Apartado Postal 103 Malibran N o . 47 Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico

Philippines Mission Commercial Center P.O. B o x 801 Makati, R i z a l , Philippines

Mexico West Mission Ave, G a r c i a C o n d e N o . 310 Colonia Pitic Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Samoa Mission P . O . B o x 197 ,\pia. Western Samoa

Afoiifcuia-Wyoiniiig Missioit 1848 Rimrock Road. B o x 1797 Billings, Montana 59102

Scotland Mission "Boroughficld" 32 C o l i n t o n R o a d Edinburgh 10, Scotland

Netherlands Missioit Amersfoortsestraatweg 214 Huizen ( N . H . ) Post Bussum, Netherlands

South Africa Missioit "Cumorah" #4 Lower Fifth Avenue Houghton, Johancssburg South A f r i c a

New Enqiand Mission 4 Longfellow Park Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Southwest Indian Mission Box 938 Holbrook, A r i z o n a 86025

N c u ' Zealand North Missioit P.O. Box 72 Auckland C . I . , N e w Zealand

Sirecfcn Mission Postfack S D H T u m b a , Sweden

N e w Zealand South Mission P . O . Box 51085 Wellington, N e w Zealand

Switzerland Missioit Pilatusstrasse 11 Z u r i c h 8032, Switzerland

North C a r o l i n a - V i r g i n i a Mission P . O . B o x 841 (3930 Brandon A v e . , S . W . ) Roanoke, V i r g i n i a 24004

Te.vas North Mission 13959 Peyton D r i v e D.allas, T e x a s 75240

Northern Indian Missioit 2040 West M a i n - Suite 3 1 2 Rapid C i t y , South Dakota 57701

Teva.s South Missioit P.O. B o x 28300 (3551 C u l c b r a R o a d at Hillcrest) San Antonio, T e x a s 78228

Northern States Mission 500 South Candota Avenue Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056

Tonga Mission Box'58, N u k u ' alofa Tongatapu, T o n g a , F . I .

Norieay Mission Drammensvelen 9 6 G Oslo 2, N o r w a y

Urugiiay-Paraguay Mission C a i l e D u b l i n 1765 Carrasco, Montevideo, U r u g u a y

;

Ohio Mission 2508 W i m b l e d o n R o a d Columbus, O h i o 43221

Venezuela Mission Apartado del Este 6 2 4 7 6 Caracas, Venezuela

Oklahoma Mission 7426 South Knoxville Avenue T u l s a , O k l a h o m a 74135

Wa..hinglon Mission 7601 S . E . 27th St. Mercer Island, W a s h . 9 8 0 4 0

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Further

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without

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Headquarters.

The Church ot Jesue Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Department 50 East North Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 Q

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Uj

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