In the early history of Mormonism a revelation now called the Word of Wisdom was given to Joseph Smith (now section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants). This Word of Wisdom contains some instruction on how to keep the body healthy. Among these are the following:
What's In the Revelation?
"That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good," (v. 5), "And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly," (v. 8), "Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving." (v. 11), "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts," (v. 14).
Not everything bad for the body is listed in this revelation, neither is all that is good for the body listed here. Joseph Smith has said in relation to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves." This also holds true with the Word of Wisdom. The principle is presented and members of the church govern themselves over it. Things that can be harmful to the body should not be given to the body, and things that are good for the body should be used.
A Real-Life Example
In a General Conference address, October of 1996, Elder L. Tom Perry shared a story of an athlete on a track team. His team was at a competition. The night before the coach of the team asked all the athletes to have a small glass of wine, thinking this would help them be on the best game the following morning. The boy refused to take the wine, but the rest of his teammates did have some. The following morning every athlete except the boy that refused the wine was ill, some of which unable to race. This boy, however, went out to his races, winning race after race throughout the competition.
To listen to Elder Perry's full address, watch the video below:
Yesterday I made this video containing testimonies of eight of the sixteen latter-day prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism). The prophets contained in this video are:
David O. McKay | Joseph Fielding Smith | Harold B. Lee | Spencer W. Kimball Ezra Taft Benson | Howard W. Hunter | Gordon B. Hinckley | Thomas S. Monson
I love listening to the words of these prophets. Their teachings help us live happier lives, be better people, and, most importantly, come closer to Christ. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the church that has been set up through the guidance of the Lord himself, by the hands of Joseph Smith and his successors.
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If you would like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ, or Mormonism, check out some of the following sites:
It is now the Christmas season. Let us not forget what this time of celebration is all about - Christ! And so, in my attempt to spread the Christmas cheer, I share the history of another hymn of Mormonism - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
The Story Behind the Hymn
In 1861 the Civil War broke out. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was one of the men living in New England at the time. In July Henry's wife died, just a couple days before their anniversary. Two years later his son was mortally wounded as a soldier in the war. All of these were undoubtedly on his mind when he wrote the words: "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
But Christmas did come even in the midst of great war, and the church bells rang out. At this time the true meaning of Christmas must have struck home - "God is not dead nor doth he sleep." Because of Christ's atonement that was made for the love of all men we can have hope even in the darkest of times.
When listening to this hymn the words of Elder Holland often come to mind:
"It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."
- The Laborers in the Vineyard, General Conference, April 2012 -
The Words of the Hymn
I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."
Till, ringing, singing, on its way, the world revolved from night to day. A voice, a chime, a change sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men!
Let's remember this Christmas season the love of Christ and what he has done for us. "For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee..." (Deuteronomy 4:31).
Mormonism History Jokes: Crickets and Seagulls | Arie Van De Graaff
Many of the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. When they arrived they were poor as pertaining to money, food and clothing. But they had strong spirits. Finally reaching a place where it seemed no one could disturb them they began preparing for the winter that lay ahead. The winter was long and cold and many of the saints died. But eventually the spring came.
With winter behind them the people began planting wheat and other crops. As the wheat grew and was nearing the harvest time a new sort of trouble came upon the Mormons - Crickets! This was not mob persecution or illegal arrests, but this was a plague of crickets. The pioneers fought back as well as they could, trying to kill the crickets, but there were too many.
The saints set a day for fasting and not much later a new surprise came upon the valley - Seagulls! The people at first thought the birds came to eat whatever the crickets left over, but miraculously the seagulls ate all of the crickets and then left.
The following poem was written by Beverly Cochrane, published in the July 2011 Friend magazine:
This week I've done much reading on the amazing historical story in Mormonism called, "Zion's Camp." *To learn more about the history of Mormonism visit: http://mormontopics.org/eng/christ
The quotations used in this post, unless otherwise stated, come from the journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball.
At the time of Zion's Camp the main body of the Church was in Jackson County, Missouri. This place was the appointed place for Zion to be built on the earth. While living in Missouri, those that were not members of the Church persecuted those that did to such a degree that many were forced to flee and others lost their possessions and homes. The prophet Joseph Smith asked the Lord what to do concerning this and received the answer to go and redeem Zion. Elder Kimball wrote:
"Brother Joseph received a revelation concerning the redemption of Zion...He sent messengers to the east and to the west and to the north and to the south, to gather up the Elders..."
At the beginning of their march there were few Elders, approximately 100, but more joined on the way. The way was challenging, as those traveling often lived on johnnycake and other such foods, and walked many miles every day for weeks. Many times on the way contentions arose with the Elders in the camp. One of these contentions was recorded by Elder Kimball as follows:
"This evening there was quite a difficulty between some of the brethren and Sylvester Smith, on occasion of which Brother Joseph was called to decide the matter. Finding quite a rebellious spirit in Sylvester Smith, and to some extent in others, he said they would meet with misfortunes, difficulties and hindrances, 'and you will know it before you leave this place;' exhorting them to humble themselves before the Lord, and become united, that they might not be scourged."
As is stated in the Doctrine and Covenants - "For this is Zion - THE PURE IN HEART" (D&C 97:21). Joseph Smith knew this and did his best throughout the journey to emphasize this.
The misfortune that was seen before they left the place came upon them the following day. All of the horses of the camp were had exceeding poor health when the camp woke in the morning. The brethren were told by the Prophet that all those that repented of their contentions would find that their horses would be healed that day.
Again contentions and arguments took place in Zion's Camp. Heber wrote:
"Brother Joseph called the camp together, and told us that in consequence of the disobedience of some who had not been willing to listen to his words, but had been rebellious, God had decreed that sickness should come upon us, and we should die like sheep with the rot; and said he, 'I am sorry, but I cannot help it.'"
The sickness came. It was the dreaded cholera. Many were stricken and a few died at the hands of this sickness.
The word of the Lord came to the Elders of Zion's Camp through Joseph Smith, as is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 105:
"Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.
"But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
"And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;"
- D&C 105:2-4 -
Because of this new word the Camp turned back toward Kirtland.
However, there were times that those in the camp showed true unity and were rewarded accordingly. Miracles were shown at these times. One of which took place mid-June. Writes Heber:
"This night we camped on an elevated piece of land between two branches of the Fishing River. Just as we halted and were making preparations for the night, five men rode into the camp... They told us that sixty men were coming from Richmond, who had sworn to destroy us, also seventy more were coming from Clay County, to assist in our destruction... All this time the weather was pleasant. Soon after these men left we discovered a small black cloud rising in the west, and not more than twenty minutes passed away before it began to rain and hail; but we had very little hail in our camp. All around us the hail was heavy...The earth quaked and trembled, and there being no cessation it seemed as though the Almighty had issued forth His mandate of vengeance. The wind was so terrible that many of our tents were blown down...
"The mob came to the river two miles from us, but the river had risen to that height that they were obliged to stop without crossing over. The hail fell so heavily upon them that it beat holes into their hats, and in some instances even broke the stocks off their guns; their horses, being frightened, fled, leaving the riders on the ground. Their powder was wet, and it was evident that the Almighty fought in our defense. This night the river raised forty feet."
What can be learned from Zion's Camp? Clearly shown is that Zion is and always will be the pure in heart, those that are united. When the Saints were united miracles happened on their behalf, they were protected from their enemies. When the Saints were not united as a people then sickness and other problems came upon them, leaving when they have repented.
Joseph Smith has said that "those who went to Zion with a determination to lay down their lives, if necessary, it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh" (DHC, Vol. II, p. 192). Those who were soon after called to be members of the Quorums of the Twelve and Seventy were men that went through this trial of Zion's Camp.
Coming to my mind is the scripture found in the Book of Mormon - "For ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6) Those who dealt with the trial in faith were then rewarded.
Let us remember the Lord as we go through our own trials, that the Lord may bless us as we show our faith.
My past post was on the history of Mormonism hymns, more particularly The Spirit of God. As this post is my 50th and must be special, I will continue on with a history of Mormonism hymns and share the story of my favorite hymn - #97 Lead, Kindly Light.
The Story Behind the Hymn:
John Henry Newman was the man behind the words now know as hymn #97. In a General Conference address in October 2000, Virginia U. Jensen shared Newman's story as follows:
"As a young priest traveling in Italy in 1833, Englishman John Henry Newman encountered emotional and physical darkness when illness detained him there for several weeks. He became deeply discouraged, and a nurse who saw his tears asked what troubled him. All he could reply was that he was sure God had work for him to do in England. Aching to return home, he finally found passage on a small boat.
"Not long after the ship set sail, thick fog descended and obscured the hazardous cliffs surrounding them. Trapped for a week in the damp, gray darkness, the ship unable to travel forward or back, Newman pled for his Savior's help as he penned the words we now know as the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light.'"
- Virginia U. Jensen, Lead Kindly Light -
Words of the Hymn:
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom; lead thou me on! The night is dark and I am far from home; lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene - one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on. I loved to choose and see my path; but now, lead thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on over moor and fen, over crag and torrent, till the night is gone. And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Scriptures Behind the Hymn:
There are many scriptures that could be used as an example to show what is being said in this song, but I'll select only a few. First and foremost comes to mind John 8:12:
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Shown in both the scripture and the hymn is the statement that Christ is our light. When we follow him we are not lost. A second scripture I'll use is found in the Book of Mormon. This scripture speaks on Christ's power to disperse the darkness of sin and mistakes. Not physical darkness but spiritual and metaphorical darkness.
"He knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness - yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God-" (Alma 19:6)
These are just a couple of the many scriptures that could be used to show Christ as our guiding light. Just as the song says, so long Christ's power hath blest me, and sure it still will lead me on. And he will do the same for everyone, even those that feel like they've gone too far from the light. As was said in the post 'A Joyful Lesson From Alma Jr.,' the end result can always be the same: Our souls can be filled with joy as exceeding as was our pain. The light of Christ can reach anyone, and then we can live in the light.
When people consider the history of Mormonism what is often thought of is the first vision, restoration of the priesthood, formation of the church, or the Book of Mormon, etc. But there is much more! In the English hymn book there are hundreds of hymns, each one with its own history. These can also be considered an important part of the history of Mormonism.
W. W. Phelps (William Wines Phelps) wrote the words to fourteen of the hymns in the current hymn book of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the earliest and most notorious of his hymns is The Spirit of God (Hymn #2).
The hymn The Spirit of God is a message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter-days. Contained in its lyrics are many lines from scripture, such as the following from the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, found now in the Doctrine and Covenants (one of Mormonism's standard works):
"And also this church, to put upon it thy name. And help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb! And let these, thine anointed ones, be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy. Amen, and Amen." (D&C 109:79-80)
At the closing of the Kirtland, Ohio temple dedication this hymn was sung by the congregation, and it has been sung at temple dedications ever since that day.
Lyrics of the Hymn:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning! The latter-day glory begins to come forth; the visions and blessings of old are returning. And angels are coming to visit the earth.
We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb! Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!
The Lord is extending the Saints' understanding, restoring their judges and all as at first. The knowledge and power of God are expanding; the veil over the earth is beginning to burst.
We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb! Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!
We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit, to spread forth the kingdom of heaven abraod, that we through our faith may begin to inherit the visions and blessings and glories of God.
We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb! Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!
How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion shall lie down together without any ire, and Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion, as Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!
We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven, Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb! Let glory to them in the highest be given, hence forth and forever, Amen and amen!
