Chapter 29: The Lord's Law of Health

Our Bodies Are Temples of God

Once again there are tremendous resources for this lesson found in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:... (the old Priesthood/Relief Society manuals). This includes Brigham Young, Chapter 29, Joseph F. Smith, Chapter 36, Heber J. Grant, Chapter 21 and David O. McKay, Chapter 11. Remember, these can all be found on “lds.org” (first click on the bar in the lower left hand corner that says “Go to Classic LDS.org”) then click on “Gospel Library” then “Lessons” then “Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.” All of the manuals are listed at the bottom of that page. Be sure to not miss that terrific resource of Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual, Section 89. This can be found at “institute.lds.org” then click on “Course Catalogue” on the top bar.

In this section we read, “Our bodies are so important that the Lord calls them temples of God…” (p. 167). Following is a repeat of what was printed in this blog in November (Chapter 26: Sacrifice) but really fits better here:

The concept from Paul that our bodies are temples of God is beautifully developed by Jeffrey R. Holland (before he became an apostle) in a talk, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments,” given at a BYU Speeches of the Year, 12 January 1988. In this talk, he stated:

Paul's warning to the Corinthians takes on newer, higher meaning:

. . . Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's. [1 Corinthians 6:13-20; emphasis added]

Our soul is what's at stake here‹our spirit and our body. Paul understood that doctrine of
the soul…because it is gospel truth. The purchase price for our fullness of joy (body and spirit eternally united) is the pure and innocent blood of the Savior of this world. We cannot then say in ignorance or defiance, "Well, it's my life," or worse yet, "It's my body." It is not. "Ye are not your own," Paul said. "Ye are bought with a price."

One of the current temptations of the world attacking youth concerning their bodies being temples of God is tattooing. A wonderful Ensign article, "I Have a Question" by a medical doctor appeared in the Ensign. He discussed many other points concerning medical and social-emotional damage from tattooing as well as the spiritual damage from disobedience to this aspect of the Word of Wisdom:

Similarly, when individuals follow the body-defiling practices of multiple piercing and tattooing, they dull their spiritual sensitivity. Tattooing the body seems analogous to spraying graffiti on one of our beautiful temples.

So often individuals are motivated to participate in these activities because they want to feel valued and accepted by their peers; they may even have feelings of low self-worth. In truth, the real basis of self-worth is the knowledge that we are sons and daughters of God, who loves us. The Holy Ghost is the custodian of that knowledge (Ensign, Feb. 1999, 52).

In this lesson most of what we learn comes from the Lord revealing Section 89 of what is known as the Word of Wisdom. Brigham Young shared how we got this wonderful revelation:

President Brigham Young said: “I think I am as well acquainted with the circumstances which led to the giving of the Word of Wisdom as any man in the Church, although I was not present at the time to witness them. The first school of the prophets was held in a small room situated over the Prophet Joseph’s kitchen, in a house which belonged to Bishop Whitney. . . . The brethren came to that place for hundreds of miles to attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by fourteen. When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry (Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual, Section 89).

In this section we read, “Our Father knows that we face temptations to treat our bodies unwisely or to take harmful things into them” (p. 169). President McKay talked about one time when he was tempted and how he handled it:

During a visit with the queen of the Netherlands in 1952, President and Sister McKay had an interesting experience. The queen had scheduled 30 minutes for a visit with them. President McKay carefully watched the time, and when the half hour was up, he politely thanked the queen and began to leave. “Mr. McKay,” she said, “sit down! I have enjoyed this thirty minutes more than I have enjoyed any thirty minutes in a long time. I just wish you would extend our visit a little longer.” He sat down again. Then a coffee table was brought in, and the queen poured three cups of tea, giving one to President McKay, one to Sister McKay, and keeping one for herself. When the queen noticed that neither of her guests drank the tea, she asked, “Won’t you have a little tea with the Queen?” President McKay explained, “I must tell you that our people do not believe in drinking stimulants, and we think tea is a stimulant.” She said, “I am the Queen of the Netherlands. Do you mean to tell me you won’t have a little drink of tea, even with the Queen of the Netherlands?” President McKay responded, “Would the Queen of the Netherlands ask the leader of a million, three hundred thousand people to do something that he teaches his people not to do?” “You are a great man, President McKay,” she said. “I wouldn’t ask you to do that” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 103).

President Joseph F. Smith also gave wise counsel concerning temptations which may come from members of the Church:

I recollect a circumstance that occurred three years ago in a party that I was traveling with. There were one or two who persisted in having their tea and coffee at every place they stopped. I preached the Word of Wisdom right along; but they said, ‘What does it matter? Here is So-and-so, who drinks tea and coffee.’ … I said at one time, ‘Oh, yes, you say it is a good thing to drink a little tea or coffee, but the Lord says it is not. What shall I follow?’ The Lord says that if we will observe the Word of Wisdom we shall have access to great treasures of knowledge, and hidden treasures; we shall run and not be weary, we shall walk and not faint; and the destroying angel shall pass us by, as he did the children of Israel, and not slay us. … I will pray for you and earnestly beseech you, my brethren and sisters, … to cease practicing these forbidden things, and observe the laws of God (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 323-4).

President Joseph F. Smith also gave wise help for dealing with temptation and the wonderful result of doing so:

Why cannot we rise to that degree of intelligence that would enable us to say to the tempter, “Get behind me,” and to turn our backs upon the practice of evil. How humiliating it must be to a thoughtful man to feel that he is a slave to his appetites, or to an over-weening and pernicious habit, desire, or passion (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 326).

Of course, temptations come from Satan who influences men to do his will, which is anything contrary to the will of God. President McKay gave wonderful counsel about how this happened with tobacco. By studying these words of a prophet, we can be warned and discover the same pattern being used today with other temptations concerning the Word of Wisdom:

“Evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men… [D&C 89:4].” The purport of that impressed me in the twenties, and the thirties of [the 20th] century. I just ask you … to recall the methods employed by certain tobacco interests to induce women to smoke cigarettes.

You remember how insidiously they launched their plan. First, by saying that it would reduce weight. They had a slogan: “Take a cigarette instead of a sweet.”

Later, some of us who like the theatre, noticed that they would have a young lady light the gentleman’s cigarette. Following this a woman’s hand would be shown on billboards lighting or taking a cigarette. A year or two passed and soon they were brazen enough to show the lady on the screen or on the billboard smoking the cigarette. …

I may be wrong, but I thought I saw an indication recently that conspiring men now have evil designs upon our youth. Keep your eyes and ears open (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 107-8).

In the last paragraph of this section we read, “If we do not obey the Word of Wisdom, the Lord’s Spirit withdraws from us” (p. 167). President McKay gave examples of this in order to avoid “rapids” into which Satan would lead us:

As I recall the influences upon my young life, I believe the greatest was the memorizing of that important saying: “My spirit will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle.”

Then there were … others, and they were all in the form of warnings. The first came to me as a boy as I sat on a spring seat by the side of my father as we drove into Ogden. Just before we crossed the bridge across the Ogden River, a man came out from a saloon, which was just on the northern bank of the river. I recognized him. I liked him because I had seen him on the local stage. But on that occasion he was under the influence of liquor, and had been for, I suppose, several days.

I did not know … he drank, but as he broke down and cried and asked father for fifty cents to go back into the saloon, I saw him stagger away. As we drove across the bridge my father said:

“David, he and I used to go [home] teaching together.”

That was all he said, but it was a warning to me that I have never forgotten, about the effect of dissipation [or excessive drinking].

A little later, a teacher [assigned] us to read a story about a group of young people sailing down the St. Lawrence River. … I cannot give you the author, I cannot give you the title, but I can give you the memory that has stayed with me, about those young folks who were drinking and carousing and having a good time in the boat sailing down that noted river. But a man on the shore, recognizing, realizing the dangers ahead of them, cried: “Hello, there, the rapids are below you.”

But they ignored his warning, defied him. “We are all right,” and continued in their jocularity [or joking] and their indulgences. And again he cried out: “The rapids are below you,” and again they gave no heed to his warning.

Suddenly they found themselves in the rapids. Then they immediately began to row for the shore, but it was too late. I do not remember but just the words of the last paragraph, but cursing, yelling, over the rapids, over the falls they went.

Negative? Yes. But I will tell you there are many in the stream of life who are rowing just that way. I have never forgotten that story (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 106-7)..

President Grant also taught this principle of keeping commandments and communication with God:

Another reason for which I am so anxious that the Latter-day Saints should observe the Word of Wisdom is that the Lord says it was given to us for our temporal salvation [see D&C 89:2]. I would like it known that if we as a people never used a particle of tea or coffee or of tobacco or of liquor, we would become one of the most wealthy people in the world. Why? Because we would have increased vigor of body, increased vigor of mind; we would grow spiritually; we would have a more direct line of communication with God, our Heavenly Father; we would be able to accomplish more (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 192).

In the last section of this lesson, President Boyd K. Packer is quoted stating “The Word of Wisdom is a key to individual revelation” (p. 171). In an earlier talk, he also discussed the concept that indulgence in things harmful for the body decreases our ability to listen to the Spirit:

I have come to know … that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. From the time you are very little we teach you to avoid tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, narcotics, and anything else that disturbs your health. … If someone ‘under the influence’ can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically (Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).

Perhaps one of Satan’s best “counterfeits” is his attempt to replicate “happiness” that comes from keeping the commandments. We would do well to remember the counsel of Alma to his son Corianton:

Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness (Alma 41:10).

President Joseph F. Smith discussed this false concept of happiness from breaking the Word of Wisdom:

The drunkard becomes a slave to his drink; others become slaves to the use of tea, coffee and tobacco, and therefore they consider them necessary to their happiness; but they are not really necessary to their happiness nor to their health (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 326).

The two greatest sins, next to committing the “unpardonable sin” are murder and breaking the law of chastity. President Grant explained the connection between the law of chastity and breaking the Word of Wisdom:

The crying evil of the age is lack of virtue. There is but one standard of morality in the Church of Christ. We have been taught, thousands of us who have been reared in this Church from our childhood days, that second only to murder is the sin of losing our virtue; and I want to say to the fathers and to the mothers, and to the sons and daughters, in our Primary, in our Mutual Improvement Associations, in our seminaries and institutes, in Sunday School, in the Relief Society and in all of our Priesthood quorums—I want it understood that the use of liquor and tobacco is one of the chief means in the hands of the adversary whereby he is enabled to lead boys and girls from virtue (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 194).

Prophetic voices from the past are validated with a quick internet search today which will reveal statistics that alcohol is involved in at least 34% of all murders and that more than 50% of rapes occur when the rapist has been drinking.

On a positive (and doctrinally important) note, President Joseph Fielding Smith proclaimed:

One of the main purposes of this moral life is to obtain these bodies and if they are not kept clean then they are not fit for exaltation...The purpose of this great revelation (D&C 89) on the care and proper treatment of the body is that the body may be sanctified in truth and cleanliness, as well as the spirit (Church History and Modem-day Revelation, 1:383).


We Are Commanded Not to Take Certain Things into Our Bodies

The first question in this section is, “What has the Lord commanded us not to take into our bodies?” (p. 167). President Joseph F. Smith declared that there were only two options for latter-day Saints when it comes to the Word of Wisdom:

Perhaps those who are accustomed to these habits think this is a very trivial or very unimportant thing to talk about to a vast congregation like this, but I never see a boy or a man, young or old, addicted to this habit and practicing it openly but I am forced to the conclusion to the conviction in my mind that he is either ignorant of God’s will concerning man or he is defiant of God’s will and does not care anything about the word of the Lord, and that alone is sufficient to bring sorrow to the heart of any man who has any regard or respect for the word or will of the Lord and would like to see it obeyed (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 325).

The Word of Wisdom was first given “not by commandment or constraint” (D&C 89:2). However, these were words added by Joseph Smith (see heading to D&C 89). Here is President Joseph F. Smith’s explanation of this:

The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given as not by “commandment or restraint” was that at that time, at least, if it had been given as commandment it would have brought every man, addicted to the use of these noxious things under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law. Later on, it was announced from this stand, by President Brigham Young, that the Word of Wisdom was a revelation and a command of the Lord. I desired to mention that fact, because I do not want you to feel that we are under no restraint. We do not want to come under condemnation (Conference Report, October 1913, p. 14).

It is true that early in the history of the Church the Word of Wisdom was not emphasized as strongly as it later was. However, from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism we learn:

…by 1930 abstinence from the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea had become an official requirement for those seeking temple recommends (p. 1584).

However, as will be learned by reading the statements of earlier prophets in this blog, they had no question from the beginning that this was revelation from the Lord. Brigham Young certainly felt this way, as well as denying that this commandment was past its usefulness:

This Word of Wisdom which has been supposed to have become stale, and not in force, is like all the counsels of God, in force as much today as it ever was. There is life, everlasting life in it—the life which now is and the life which is to come (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 212).

A terrific endorsement of the Word of Wisdom as well as pronouncement of another great blessing not mentioned in the manual comes from President Joseph F. Smith:

President Joseph F. Smith taught that the Word of Wisdom was more than a prohibition against tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol; it contained practical counsel for good health and spiritual growth, and those Saints who obeyed it would draw nearer to the Lord and become more like Him. To remind the Saints of the importance of the Word of Wisdom, he sometimes read Doctrine and Covenants 89 in its entirety in a meeting. “Now, it may seem altogether unnecessary and out of place, perhaps, to many, for me to occupy the time of this vast congregation in reading this revelation,” he once said, but read every word of it anyway to emphasize the great value of the message (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 323).

President Grant discussed the false concepts of some:

I have heard any number of Latter-day Saints say 'Why, the word of wisdom is not a commandment'. What does the Word of Wisdom say? That is the mind and the will of the
Lord The day is gone by when the Lord will trifle with the Latter-day Saints. He has said that His Spirit shall not always strive with man (Gospel Standards, 55-56).

President Grant added these feelings:

As I read the Word of Wisdom, I learn that it is adapted to the weakest of all the weak who are or can be called Saints [see D&C 89:3]. And I believe that it would be a wonderful aid in the advancement of the kingdom of God if all the Latter-day Saints would obey this simple commandment of the Lord…

There is not a man or a woman among all the Latter-day Saints but who could keep the Word of Wisdom if they got down on their knees … and pray[ed] to God for help (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 196).

In President McKay’s day, there certainly was no question, as explained in the heading in a Priesthood/Relief Society manual:

“The Word of Wisdom is a clear commandment given by revelation from the Lord” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 104).

President McKay reinforced this:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands committed unequivocally to the doctrine that tea, coffee, tobacco, and intoxicants are not good for man. True Latter-day Saints refrain from indulgence in tobacco and drink, either of stimulants or of intoxicants, and by example and precept, teach others to do the same (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 108).

The Word of Wisdom prohibits “hot drinks” (verse 9). The manual states, “Church leaders have said that this means coffee and tea, which contain harmful substances” (p. 169).

The following comes from the Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual:

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “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.’”

Brigham Young also discussed this in historical context:

This Word of Wisdom prohibits the use of hot drinks and tobacco. I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned therein; that is very true; but what were the people in the habit of taking as hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and coffee. We were not in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea and coffee—the beverages in common use (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 212).

Hopefully Latter-day Saints do not have as much trouble living the Word of Wisdom today as they apparently did in President McKay’s day, but just in case some still do not think “We are commanded…” (title of this section) is as serious as the Lord intends it, here is President McKay’s council about this commandment:

The particular sentence that I wish to call attention to is this: “Inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink … behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father.” That is the word of God to the people of this generation. It stands with just as much force as the words of the Savior, “If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself” [John 7:17]. Latter-day Saints, you know this statement of the Savior’s is true; we testify that if any man will do the will of God he will get the testimony, in his heart and in his life, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. We accept the words of the Savior, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” [Luke 13:3] Those eternal truths, so tersely expressed, we accept as true. We may not live up to them wholly, but as a people we accept them, because they are the word of God. Just so strong, just so eternal stands this truth … , “Strong drink is not good for man” [See D&C 89:7]. Yet [many years] have passed, and during that time this doctrine has been preached every week, if not every day, in some congregation of Israel, and still we find in our midst a few who say, by their acts, it is good for man.

I am glad when I study this passage, to find that the Lord did not say, “Strong drink to excess is not good;” nor “Drunkenness is not good.” Suppose He had weakened that expression by modifying it and saying, “Strong drink in excess, or when taken in large quantities, is not good,” how soon we should have justified ourselves that a little drink is good. But like other eternal truths it stands unqualified; strong drink is not good.

I think tobacco is a vice which should be shunned as the bite of a rattlesnake. … The Lord has said that tobacco is not good for man. That should be sufficient for Latter-day Saints.
Members of the Church who have formed either the tobacco habit or the tea and coffee habit, or both, are prone to seek justification for their indulgences in things which the Lord has said plainly are not good for man. Whenever they try to do so, they only parade the weakness of their faith in the Lord’s words, which were given as admonition and “wisdom,” and obedience to which will bring blessing as certain and sure as if he had said, “Thou shalt not” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 104-5).

President Joseph F. Smith also taught about the opportunity for each of us to learn for ourselves about this commandment as well as the resultant safeguards that follow:

When we do the will of the Lord, then shall we know of the doctrine, that it is of God; then shall we build upon the rock; then when the floods descend and the storms beat upon the house, it will not fall (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 326).

In this section is discussed that tobacco, tea and coffee should not be used. These are all stimulants. President McKay explained the medical problem with stimulants:

There is a substance…which when taken into the human system, tends to increase the beating of the heart; which in turn increases the rapidity of the circulation of the blood and of breathing. This causes the body to become warmer and more exhilarated. After a time, however, this temporary enlivenment passes off, and the body is really in a greater need of rest and recuperation than it was before the beverage was taken. Stimulants are to the body what the lash is to the lagging horse—it causes a spurt forward but gives no permanent strength or natural nourishment. Frequently repetitions of the lash only make the horse more lazy; and the habitual use of strong drink, tobacco, tea, and coffee, only tends to make the body weaker and more dependent upon the stimulants to which it is addicted (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 105).

President McKay continues with the spiritual problem with the use of stimulants:

A person’s reaction to his appetites and impulses when they are aroused gives the measure of that person’s character. In such reactions are revealed the man’s power to govern, or his forced servility to yield. That phase of the Word of Wisdom, therefore, which refers to intoxicants, drugs, and stimulants, goes deeper than the ill effects upon the body, and strikes at the very root of character building itself. …

During the last one hundred years, the marvelous advance of science has made it possible for man to determine by experiments the ill effect of intoxicants and drugs upon the nerves and tissues of the human body. Observation and experiment have demonstrated their effects upon character. All such experiments and observations have proved the truth of the … statement: “Strong drinks and tobacco are not good for man” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 106).

In this section is found a powerful sentence, “We should avoid anything that we know is harmful to our bodies” (p. 169). President Boyd K. Packer first declared the commandment and then discussed those things not included:

We have accepted as the Word of Wisdom in the Church standards that we will not change. You are not going to go on a mission unless you observe it. You are not going to go to the temple for the more sacred ordinances unless you observe it. That is no tea or coffee or liquor or tobacco or whatever else is covered by it.

We get strange letters asking if this or that is a part of the Word of Wisdom. Marijuana is not listed in section 89! And neither is strychnine or arsenic listed! But, of course, they are not habit-forming.

The point is, if you want to move on spiritually and do as you ought to do in this life, the principle outlined in the Word of Wisdom shows you the requirements. You cannot just toy with it (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 2 February 2003). These firesides can be found at “institute.lds.org” then click on “CES Firesides” on the top bar.

One of the very best resources for this lesson, especially to help parents teach their children the principles of the law of the Word of Wisdom is For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. If parents do not have a copy of this in the home, they need to ask their bishops for one. It is also found online at “lds.org” then click “Menu” at the top then under “Family” click “Youth” then scroll down and find under “Quick Links” (on the right) click on “For the Strength of Youth.” The information below is from the section on “Physical Health.” There is found very specific guidelines from the Prophet to youth:

Never use tobacco products, such as cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco. They are very addictive and will damage your body and shorten your life. Also, do not drink coffee or tea, for these are addictive and harmful.

Never use tobacco products, such as cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco. They are very addictive and will damage your body and shorten your life…

Any drug, chemical, or dangerous practice that is used to produce a sensation or “high” can destroy your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. These include hard drugs, prescription or over-the-counter medications that are abused, and household chemicals (p. 36-37).

One of the questions that inevitably come up with a discussion of the Word of Wisdom is “What about coke?” The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states the following:

With the appearance of cola drinks in the early 1900s, the Church was confronted with cold beverages containing caffeine, a harmful substance believed to make coffee and tea unacceptable. While no official Church position has been stated, leaders have counseled members to avoid caffeine and other addictive chemicals (p. 1584).

Brigham Young taught that failure to live the Word of Wisdom is failure to the community:

A man who indulges in any habit that is pernicious to the general good in its example and influence, is not only an enemy to himself but to the community so far as the influence of that habit goes. A man who would not sacrifice a pernicious habit for the good it would do the community is, to say the least of it, lukewarm in his desires and wishes for public and general improvement (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 214 ).

It may be important in this lesson to discuss the exorbitant price that our society pays for not following the Word of Wisdom. Here is what President Joseph F. Smith emphasized:

If this commandment were observed by the whole people, the vast amount of money that now goes out to the world for strong drink and these other things forbidden in the word of wisdom, would be saved at home, and the health, prosperity and temporal salvation of the people would be correspondingly increased (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 324).

Under President Heber J. Grant, the First Presidency issued the following:

Over the earth, and it seems particularly in America, the demon drink is in control. Drunken with strong drink, men have lost their reason; their counsel has been destroyed; their judgment and vision are fled; they reel forward to destruction. Drink brings cruelty into the home; it walks arm in arm with poverty; its companions are disease and plague; it puts chastity to flight it knows neither honesty nor fair dealing; it is a total stranger to truth; it drowns conscience; it is the body guard of evil; it curses all who touch it. Drink has brought more woe and misery, broken more hearts, wrecked more homes, committed more crimes, filled more coffins, than all the wars of the world has suffered" (Conference Report, Oct. 1942, 8).

To get a feel of what this statement means today, there have been about 1.3 million soldiers die in U.S. wars. For comparison, about 100,000 people die each year just from causes related to alcohol. This means that deaths just from alcohol in about 12 years totals more than the deaths of U.S. soldiers in the entire 234-year history of our country.

It goes without saying that prophets are, of course, prophetic. Now, concerning “social consequences” to just our nation of breaking the Word of Wisdom. An internet search of government statistics reveals that about one of every five dollars spent by the US government in the 1990s on health care was for the treatment and conditions due to tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. The economic cost due to these same vices in that same time period was almost half of what the government spent on social security.

President George Albert Smith said some interesting things about tobacco:

The use of tobacco, a little thing as it seems to some men, has been the means of destroying their spiritual life, has been the means of driving from them the companionship of the Spirit of our Father, has alienated them from the society of good men and women, and has brought upon them the disregard and reproach of the children that have been born to them, and yet the devil will say to a man, “'Oh, it's only a little thing" (Conference Report. April 1918).

It may also be good to quote President Grant who had this to say to those who complained about this doctrine:

Some members of the Church in President Grant’s day complained about the numerous sermons they heard on the Word of Wisdom. President Grant commented: “There is seldom a conference when someone does not take it upon himself to tell us: ‘Please do not speak on the Word of Wisdom. We hear it so much, we are sick and tired of it.’ ” President Grant responded to such complaints by saying: “No mortal man who is a Latter-day Saint and is keeping the Word of Wisdom is ever sick and tired of hearing it. When a man leaves a meeting and says … ‘Can’t they find something else to talk about besides the Word of Wisdom; I am sick and tired of it’—of course he is, because he is full of stuff that the Word of Wisdom tells him to leave alone (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 190).

Online at “LDS Resources on Codependence” is found an article entitled, “Hold On To Hope: Help for LDS Addicts and Their Families,” by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone (of the Seventies) and Dr. Rick H. From this series presentation (the whole series is terrific) comes the following concerning the idea that breaking the Word of Wisdom will not keep us from God’s presence:

A bishop tells the story of an elderly sister who came in for a temple recommend. When he asked her about adherence to the Word of Wisdom, she admitted that she had one cup of coffee each morning. When he asked if she could quit and was told no, he suggested that he could not issue a recommend until compliance with the law was met. The woman grew very angry and said, "I don't think it is that significant! One cup of coffee is nothing. I can't believe a loving Father would hold me out of the celestial kingdom for one cup of coffee a day. Why then, should you hold me out of the temple?" For a long moment the bishop looked at her and then said very gently, "I suppose that there are many, many things far more serious than a cup of coffee. Certainly one of those more serious things is rebellion against God. As a member of the church you know what the Lord has taught concerning the Word of Wisdom. If you know the law and still refuse to obey it, that is a very serious state of rebellion. So as long as you continue in this state of opposition, you cannot dwell with God."

Elder Robert C. Oaks, of the Seventy, further emphasized in an Ensign article:

Some Church members may have reservations because of a physical appetite they are not quite willing to surrender. In an effort to justify their behavior and to avoid facing the challenge of keeping their appetites within heavenly bounds, they may say, “Surely the Lord will not keep me out of the celestial kingdom over a cup of coffee every once in a while” (Ensign, July 2005, 30).

President Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say on the matter of breaking the Word of Wisdom and going to the celestial kingdom:

Yes, he will forgive you, because he is going to forgive every man who repents; but, my brethren, if you drink coffee or tea, or take tobacco, are you letting a cup of tea or a little tobacco stand in the road and bar you from the celestial kingdom of God, where you might otherwise have received a fulness of glory? (Doctrines of Salvation 2:16).

While breaking the Word of Wisdom may not be a serious as breaking other commandments, it remains a commandment. There are serious consequences for breaking any commandment.

A great resource for this section is:

Brad Wilcox, "What’s Not on the Warning Label", New Era, Oct. 2008, 38–41

We Are Taught That Certain Things Are Good for Our Bodies

President Joseph Fielding Smith said the following relating to this section:

So much stress has been place upon the "don't" in this revelation that whenever we hear it mentioned the vision of prohibited liquors, tobaccos, teas, coffees, etc., comes before us. We seldom hear of the things mentioned which are "ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man." The Lord has given us all good herbs, fruits, and grains. These are to be the main foods of men, beast, and fowls. But we should not overlook the fact that they are to be used with "prudence and thanksgiving" (Church History and Modern-day Revelation, 1:385).

Some good understanding of the ideas presented in this section could come from just discussing the picture on p. 168.

Two terrific resource articles for this section are:

William T. Stephenson, "Cancer, Nutrition, and the Word of Wisdom: One Doctor’s Observations", Ensign, July 2008, 42–47

Lora Beth Larson, "The Do’s in the Word of Wisdom", Ensign, Apr. 1977, 46

Elder James Talmage cautioned about this section:

In the observance of the Word of Wisdom caution should be used. Personal opinions often color our practices. We have the right of free agency, but nevertheless we should not try to stretch the Word of Wisdom to conform with our own opinions. For example: The Word of Wisdom is not a system of vegetarianism. Clearly, meat is permitted. Naturally, that includes animal products, less subject than meat to putrefactive and other disturbances, such as eggs, milk, and cheese. These products cannot be excluded simply because they are not mentioned specifically. By that token most of our foodstuffs could not be eaten" (Evidences and Reconciliation, 3:155).

Work, Rest, and Exercise Are Important

If more discussion of the value of work is desired, you may refer to this blog, November, Chapter 27.

Rest instead of stimulants was encouraged by Brigham Young:

The constitution that a person has should be nourished and cherished; and whenever we take anything into the system to force and stimulate it beyond its natural capacity, it shortens life. I am physician enough to know that. … If you will follow this counsel, you will be full of life and health, and you will increase your intelligence, your joy, and comfort (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 212).

Brigham Young continued concerning rest:

Instead of doing two days’ work in one day, wisdom would dictate to [the Saints], that if they desire long life and good health, they must, after sufficient exertion, allow the body to rest before it is entirely exhausted. When exhausted, some argue that they need stimulants in the shape of tea, coffee, spirituous liquors, tobacco, or some of those narcotic substances which are often taken to goad on the lagging powers to greater exertions. But instead of these kind of stimulants they should recruit by rest (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 212).

Joseph F. Smith also had wise counsel for this subject:

In the mad rush of life for worldly honors and for the possession of the perishable things of this earth men do not stop before they get weary, and they do not rest before they become faint. They appear to think that what is necessary for them when they become weary and faint is to take stimulants to refresh themselves, that they may be able to run a little farther for a few moments. In this way the man of business braces himself up by taking strong drinks. The housewife and the mother who has the care of her family upon her hands, after she has toiled until she has become faint, feels that she must, in order to keep up her strength, take a cup of tea, and thus brace up her nerves and strengthen herself for a little while that she may be able to finish her day’s work. Now, if the pure intelligence of the Spirit of God were substituted for the stimulating influence of the tea and the liquor; if we could by some means get a sufficient portion of the Spirit of the Lord within us that would cause us to know just what to do when we felt weariness and faintness coming upon us, without resorting to the aid of stimulants and drugs that go far to injure our systems and make us slaves, to an acquired appetite, it would be a great deal better for us (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 326-7).

If more discussion on exercise is desired, it would be greatly enhanced by going to the newly revamped “lds.org” and clicking on the bar “Search all LDS.org” at the top then type in “exercise” and hit “Enter” on your keyboard (okay, don’t hit it too hard). Some terrific articles and quotes from general authorities pop up on the first four pages found there.

Promised Blessings for Living the Lord’s Law of Health

The manual explains:

The scriptures tell us about God’s laws: “No temporal commandment gave I … , for my commandments are spiritual” (D&C 29:35). This means that His commandments concerning our physical state are for our spiritual good (p. 171).

President Grant taught:

There is absolutely no benefit to any human being derived from breaking the Word of Wisdom, but there is everything for his benefit, morally, intellectually, physically and spiritually in obeying it (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 193).

President Ezra Taft Benson also declared:

The Word of Wisdom is a law—a principle with promise. If we obey the provisions of the law, we receive the promises. If we do not, there will be both temporal and spiritual consequences (Ensign, May 1983, 53).


The manual states that one of the blessings is “Physically we have been promised good health” (p. 171). President Heber J. Grant shared his motivation for preaching so many sermons on this subject:

Much of President Grant’s motivation for preaching the Word of Wisdom came because he had a friend whose life was ruined by cigarettes and liquor. This young man gave up smoking so he could serve a mission, but he started to smoke immediately after his release from full-time missionary service. Smoking led to liquor drinking, and liquor drinking led to a loss of virtue and to excommunication from the Church. He died at a young age, and Heber J. Grant went to visit his grave. “As I stood at his grave,” President Grant recalled, “I looked up to heaven and made a pledge to my God that liquor and tobacco would have in me an enemy who would fight with all the ability that God would give me until the day of my death (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 189).

In President Grant’s manual is also made an important statement worth discussing:

From personal experience, President Grant knew that those who obey the Word of Wisdom will not be immune from all sickness and disease. He acknowledged that “being blessed does not mean that we shall always be spared all the disappointments and difficulties of life.” However, he repeatedly testified that when Latter-day Saints keep the Word of Wisdom, they receive blessings of health, prosperity, and spiritual strength that they would not be able to receive if they did not obey this law…

When disease attacks a man whose body is full of tobacco and full of liquor, or who has been guilty of excesses and abuses in any phase of living, then he has no claim on these promises [referring to D&C 89:18-21] (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 190, 195).

Thus, keeping the Word of Wisdom may not prevent us from diseases usually associated with those who break this commandment, but keeping this commandment will always benefit us spiritually.

In this section we read, concerning D&C 89, “The Lord promises us that we “shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” (p. 171). Brigham Young had this to say about that:

It is a piece of good counsel which the Lord desires his people to observe, that they may live on the earth until the measure of their creation is full. This is the object the Lord had in view in giving that Word of Wisdom. To those who observe it he will give great wisdom and understanding, increasing their health, giving strength and endurance to the faculties of their bodies and minds until they shall be full of years upon the earth. This will be their blessing if they will observe his word with a good and willing heart and in faithfulness before the Lord (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 213-4).

President Joseph F. Smith added his testimony and concerns about “treasures” as promised:

Are not “great treasures” of knowledge, even “hidden treasures,” something to be desired? But when I see men and women addicting themselves to the use of tea and coffee, or strong drinks, or tobacco in any form, I say to myself, here are men and women who do not appreciate the promise God has made unto them (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 328).

President Grant added this terrific statement concerning knowledge:

The Lord has told us through the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life, through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” [D&C 130:19].

No man who breaks the Word of Wisdom can gain the same amount of knowledge and intelligence in this world as the man who obeys that law. I don’t care who he is or where he comes from, his mind will not be as clear, and he cannot advance as far and as rapidly and retain his power as much as he would if he obeyed the Word of Wisdom (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 192).

Another blessing of living the Word of Wisdom not mentioned in the manual is that of discipline. It is always good to remember what President James E. Faust taught in conference:

The word for disciple and the word for discipline both come from the same Latin root—discipulus, which means pupil. It emphasizes practice or exercise. Self-discipline and self-control are consistent and permanent characteristics of the followers of Jesus, as exemplified by Peter, James, and John, who indeed “forsook all, and followed him” (Ensign, Nov 2006, 20).

Concerning this blessing, President McKay explained:

You show me a man who has complete control over his appetite, who can resist all temptations to indulge in stimulants, liquor, tobacco, marijuana, and other vicious drugs, and I will show you a youth or man who has likewise developed power to control his passions and desires…

The Church urges men to have self-mastery to control their appetites, their tempers, and their speech. A man is not at his best when he is a slave to some habit. A man is not his best who lives merely to gratify his passions. That is one reason why the Lord has given the Church the revelation of the Word of Wisdom so that, even from boyhood and girlhood, young men and young women may learn to control themselves…

He who fails to live it robs himself of strength of body and strength of character to which he is entitled. Truth is loyalty to the right as we see it; it is courageous living of our lives in harmony with our ideals; it is always power (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 108-10).

Another blessing, that of becoming worthy of the Lord’s presence is taught by President Joseph F. Smith:

We see great reasons for the principles contained in this chapter of the book of Doctrine and Covenants [section 89] being taught to the world, and especially to the Latter-day Saints. It is nothing more nor less than that simple Word of Wisdom that was given in 1833, for the benefit, the help, and the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, that they might purify and prepare themselves to go nearer into the presence of the Lord, that by reason of keeping this law they might fit themselves to enjoy the blessings that He is more than willing to bestow upon them, if they are worthy (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 324).

Concerning this same idea, President Joseph F. Smith plead and promised:

Now, I do wish with all my heart—not because I say it, but because it is written in the word of the Lord—that you would give heed to this Word of Wisdom. It was given unto us … for our guidance, for our happiness and advancement in every principle that pertains to the kingdom of God, in time and throughout eternity, and I pray you to observe it. It will do you good; it will ennoble your souls; it will free your thoughts and your hearts from the spirit of destruction; it will make you feel like God…it will bring you nearer to the similitude of the Son of God, the Savior of the world… (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 328-9).

Desired blessings from God were implicit in the following admonition by Brigham Young (note the Word of Wisdom in the middle of two great principles):

Bishops, Elders of Israel, High Priests, Seventies, the Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency, and all the House of Israel, hearken ye, O my people! keep the word of the Lord, observe the Word of Wisdom, sustain one another, sustain the household of faith (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 211).

Blessings can also be found in the opposites of the consequences warned of by Brigham Young:

The Spirit whispers to me to call upon the Latter-day Saints to observe the Word of Wisdom, to let tea, coffee, and tobacco alone, and to abstain from drinking spirituous drinks. This is what the Spirit signifies through me. If the Spirit of God whispers this to his people through their leader, and they will not listen nor obey, what will be the consequences of their disobedience? Darkness and blindness of mind with regard to the things of God will be their lot; they will cease to have the spirit of prayer, and the spirit of the world will increase in them in proportion to their disobedience until they apostatize entirely from God and his ways (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 212).

That we can always count on blessings promised by the Lord was declared by President Grant:

I find recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants a very short passage which reads:
“I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” [D&C 82:10].

I wish that every Latter-day Saint would remember these few words. How I wish that they were engraven upon our memories and upon our hearts, and that we would determine that God shall be bound to fulfill His promises unto us, because we will keep His commandments. There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven—so we are told by the Prophet Joseph—before the foundations of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated, and when we receive any blessing, it is by obedience to the law upon which it is predicated [see D&C 130:20-21]. If you and I desire the blessings of life, of health, of vigor of body and mind; if we desire the destroying angel to pass us by, as he did in the days of the children of Israel, we must obey the Word of Wisdom; then God is bound, and the blessing shall come to us (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 191-2).

Elder John A. Widstoe listed the following blessings for living this wonderful law:

The rewards for keeping the Word of Wisdom are four fold.

1. Self-control. In verse 3 of the revelation which states that the Word of Wisdom is "adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints."

2. Strength of body, included resistance to contagion, is a result of wise living.

3. Clearness of mind is the gift of those whose bodies are in a healthy condition.

4. Spiritual power comes to all who conquer their appetites, live normally and look upward to God (Teachings of Latter-day Prophets, p. 37).

Brigham Young taught of blessings from living the Word of Wisdom beyond this life:

Prepare to die is not the exhortation in this Church and Kingdom; but prepare to live is the word with us, and improve all we can in the life hereafter, wherein we may enjoy a more exalted condition of intelligence, wisdom, light, knowledge, power, glory, and exaltation. Then let us seek to extend the present life to the uttermost, by observing every law of health, and by properly balancing labor, study, rest, and recreation, and thus prepare for a better life (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 214).

Brigham’s next injunction should go without saying for members of Relief Society and Priesthood:

Let us teach these principles to our children, that, in the morning of their days, they may be taught to lay the foundation of health and strength and constitution and power of life in their bodies (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 214).

Chapter 30: Charity

What Is Charity?

Once again there are tremendous resources for this lesson found in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:... (the old Priesthood/Relief Society manuals). This includes Joseph Smith, Chapter 37, and Joseph F. Smith, Chapter 22. There also some wonderful gems in Joseph Smith, Chapter 39 (founding of the Relief Society). These can all be found by going to the new “lds.org” then click on “Go to Classic LDS.org” (lower left corner), then click on “Gospel Library” then “Lessons” then “Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.” The manuals are found at the bottom of this page.

In this section we find, “He has commanded us to love one another as He loves us” (p. 173). President Heber J. Grant taught that charity is crucial for true Lattter-day Saints:

What kind of men and women should we be, as Latter-day Saints, in view of this wonderful knowledge that we possess, that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God? We should be the most honest, the most virtuous, the most charitable-minded, the best people upon the face of the earth.

Let us not forget the obligation which rests upon us to render allegiance and service to the Lord, and that acceptable service to Him cannot be rendered without service to our fellow man.
We earnestly implore all members of the Church to love their brethren and sisters, and all peoples whoever and wherever they are; to banish hate from their lives, to fill their hearts with charity, patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 141).

We are so fortunate to have as our current prophet one who exemplifies charity so powerfully. President Henry B. Eyring said of President Monson:

President Monson is an extraordinary example of a great shepherd. Everyone who has ever been associated with him seems to have become one of the sheep for whom he feels love and responsibility. Some people have a friend for a time; with President Monson, friends seem to be forever. He remembers people, their families and their lives with remarkable feelings of charity (Church News, Aug. 21, 2010

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf also added his testimony of President Monson’s charity and teaches us about our responsibilities as given by the Lord:

We all have heard stories of how President Monson visits and blesses the elderly and the sick, always attending to their needs and bringing them cheer, comfort, and love. President Monson has a natural way about him that makes people feel better about themselves. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if President Monson could visit and watch over every family in the Church?
It would. But, of course, he can’t—and he shouldn’t. The Lord has not asked him to do that. The Lord has asked us, as home teachers, to love and watch over our assigned families. The Lord has not asked President Monson to organize and conduct our family home evening. He wants us, as fathers, to do this (Ensign, Nov 2008, 53).

President Monson related the following act of charity by Joseph Smith:

One bright morning Joseph walked up to John E. Page and said, "Brother John, the Lord is calling you on a mission to Canada." John E. Page was rather astonished and said, "Why, Brother Joseph, I can't go on a mission to Canada. I don't even have a coat to wear." The Prophet Joseph took his own coat from his back, handed it to John Page, and said, "Here, John, wear this, and the Lord will bless you." Brother Page took the coat, went to Canada, and in two years walked five thousand miles and baptized six hundred souls, because he trusted in the words of a prophet of God (Ensign, June 1994, 5).

Here is another example in the history of Joseph Smith:

John L. Smith, the Prophet’s cousin, recalled the following incident that occurred in this same period of time: “The Prophet Joseph and cousin Hyrum, his brother, visited us. We were all sick but Mother with the fever and ague, and Father was out of his head the greatest part of the time. Joseph took the shoes from his feet when he saw our destitute condition and put them on Father’s feet, as he was barefoot, and rode home without any himself. He sent and took Father home to his house and saved his life and supplied us with many comforts so we recovered (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 430).

President Monson also shared the following about another prophet:

One who exemplified charity in his life was President George Albert Smith. Immediately following World War II, the Church had a drive to amass warm clothing to ship to suffering Saints in Europe. Elder Harold B. Lee and Elder Marion G. Romney took President George Albert Smith to Welfare Square in Salt Lake City to view the results. They were impressed by the generous response of the membership of the Church. They watched President Smith observing the workers as they packaged this great volume of donated clothing and shoes. They saw tears running down his face. After a few moments, President George Albert Smith removed his own new overcoat and said, “Please ship this also.”

The Brethren said to him, “No, President, no; don’t send that; it’s cold and you need your coat.”

But President Smith would not take it back; and so his coat, with all the others, was sent to Europe, where the nights were long and dark and food and clothing were scarce. Then the shipments arrived. Joy and thanksgiving were expressed aloud, as well as in secret prayer (Ensign, May 2000, 52).

In a talk at BYU President Monson also gave another illustration from this prophet:

A personal friend of mine told me of an example of such compassion. He said his uncle Junius Burt worked on the street department crew for Salt Lake City, and on a very cold day many years ago, he and others on the crew were chipping ice with shovels and hand implements from South Temple Street between State Street and Main Street. President George Albert Smith said to one of the workers who had no coat, “You should wear a coat today. It’s too cold to be out here in this very frigid weather working as you are working.”

The man, who did not know President Smith, replied, “I have no coat to wear.”

President Smith then removed his own coat, handed it to the man, and said, “Here, you take this coat and wear it. I work just across the street, and I can get there without a coat.”

Received by that worker that day was more than an overcoat. Received was a gesture of kindness which the recipient of the coat and his coworkers never forgot (BYU Speeches 15 September 2009).

If we are truly living the commandment to “love one another,” we would dread not responding to President Joseph F. Smith’s concerns when he said:

We fear that there are those who may suffer in silence for want of a helping hand. Your duty lies first to these in your locality (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 186).

Charity Is the Greatest of All Virtues

Here is a terrific quote to reinforce the title of this section:

Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 194).

In the section “Charity Comes from the Heart” is found, “The scriptures teach that “charity never faileth.” (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-8) (p. 176). The Book of Mormon offers more clarity on this idea:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever (Moroni 7:46-47).

Add to this the following from this section:

The prophet Mormon tells us, “Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever” (Moroni 7:46-47).

President Howard W. Hunter expanded on this:

This love that we should have for our brothers and sisters in the human family, and that Christ has for every one of us, is called charity or “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47). It is the love that prompted the suffering and sacrifice of Christ’s atonement. It is the highest pinnacle the human soul can reach and the deepest expression (Ensign, May 1992, 61).

Similar to the above is the heading to Chapter 37 in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith:

Charity, the Pure Love of Christ
“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity,
and ought to be manifested by those
who aspire to be the sons of God.”

The second half of the above quote is also worth discussion:

A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 426).

Joseph also added:

The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 428-9).

It is therefore important that we remember that it is the “love of Christ” not the “love for Christ” that “never faileth” - - in other words, man’s love often fails, but Christ’s love “never faileth.” Our goal should be, then, to emulate the Savior’s love or charity in our own lives.

D&C 8:2 reads:

Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

Note that the Holy Ghost dwells in our heart. Joseph Smith explained that charity is crucial to our having the Spirit, which as the title of this section teaches, “comes from the heart” (p. 176):

The Holy Spirit … shall be poured out at all times upon your heads, when you are exercised with those principles of righteousness that are agreeable to the mind of God, and are properly affected one toward another, and are careful by all means to remember those who are in bondage, and in heaviness, and in deep affliction for your sakes. And if there are any among you who aspire after their own aggrandizement, and seek their own opulence, while their brethren are groaning in poverty, and are under sore trials and temptations, they cannot be benefited by the intercession of the Holy Spirit, which maketh intercession for us day and night with groanings that cannot be uttered [see Romans 8:26] (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 427).

Charity Includes Giving to the Sick, Afflicted, and Poor

The heading of this section includes taking care of the “sick.” A great example from Church History is that of Emma Smith and her husband Joseph:

Joseph and Emma moved into an old homestead house in the new city of Nauvoo. Emma immediately began caring for the sick Saints desolated by fevers and illness. The two-story log structure housed many more persons than Joseph and Emma and their four children; the homeless had a way of finding the Smiths’ door. Emma’s welcome made no distinction among family, friends, or strangers (Ensign, Sep 1979, 65).

Additional insights to the above incident are given in the following:

Joseph and Emma had the sick brought to their house and took care of them there. And they continued to have them brought as fast as they were taken down until their house, which consisted of four rooms, was so crowded that they were under the necessity of spreading a tent in the yard for the reception of that part of the family who were still on their feet. Joseph and Emma devoted their whole time and attention to the care of the sick during this time of distress (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 430).

The next example is powerful because of the prelude to this story. When Joseph and Emma Smith first arrived in Kirtland, they were befriended by Newell K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who had them live in the second floor of their store.

Elizabeth Ann Whitney recalled: “Early in the Spring of 1840 we went up to Commerce, as the upper portion of the city of Nauvoo continued to be called. We rented a house belonging to Hiram Kimball. … Here we were all sick with ague, chills and fever, and were only just barely able to crawl around and wait upon each other. Under these trying circumstances my ninth child was born. Joseph, upon visiting us and seeing our change of circumstances, urged us at once to come and share his accommodations. We felt the climate, the water, and the privations we were enduring could not much longer be borne; therefore we availed ourselves of this proposal and went to live in the Prophet Joseph’s yard in a small cottage; we soon recruited in health, and the children became more like themselves. My husband was employed in a store Joseph had built and fitted up with such goods as the people were in actual need of.

“One day while coming out of the house into the yard the remembrance of a prophecy Joseph Smith had made to me, while living in our house in Kirtland, flashed through my mind like an electric shock; it was this: that even as we had done by him, in opening our doors to him and his family when he was without a home; even so should we in the future be received by him into his house” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 430).

Finally, from Joseph’s life comes the next story. Note that Joseph would probably not be considered an astute businessman, since it is implied that he was more charitable than financially accountable:

On January 5, 1842, the Prophet wrote the following in a letter to Edward Hunter, who later served as Presiding Bishop: “Our assortment [at the Red Brick Store] is tolerably good—very good, considering the different purchases made by different individuals at different times, and under circumstances which controlled their choice to some extent; but I rejoice that we have been enabled to do as well as we have, for the hearts of many of the poor brethren and sisters will be made glad with those comforts which are now within their reach.

“The store has been filled to overflowing, and I have stood behind the counter all day, dealing out goods as steady as any clerk you ever saw, to oblige those who were compelled to go without their usual Christmas and New Year’s dinners, for the want of a little sugar, molasses, raisins, etc., etc.; and to please myself also, for I love to wait upon the Saints, and be a servant to all, hoping that I may be exalted in the due time of the Lord” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 432).

In Chapter 28 of this blog, was a quote from President Kimball which is a great supplement to the parable of the good Samaritan, as taught in this section. Even if it was quoted in the lesson on Service, it is still worth repeating:

None of us should become so busy in our formal Church assignments that there is no room left for quiet Christian service to our neighbors (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 82).

President Joseph F. Smith taught that charity is the path to greater blessings:

…there is perhaps no more potent or far reaching influence than well-directed charity, to win the confidence and love of our fellow creatures. And having won their confidence through simple deeds of mercy the door is opened to win and lead their souls to higher planes of faith and spiritual excellence; and, after all, the spiritual part is of greater worth than the mere temporal.
In the long run it is better to starve or even to perish for the want of temporal food than to be impoverished and perish for the lack of intellectual and spiritual knowledge which are essential to secure the gift of eternal life which is the greatest gift of God. To possess a knowledge of the principles of eternal truth is more to me than food or raiment. Yet we want both the temporal and the spiritual food and God has so ordained that both of these are within easy reach of all mankind, provided they will observe His laws and live consistent therewith (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 187).

President John Taylor also had some great insights on charity:

If good people are suffering for the common necessaries of life, the scriptures say, “If a man having this world’s goods see his brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” [See 1 John 3:17]. And in regard to those matters, we ought to look to the wants of everybody. … Do not let us make paupers of them; but let us treat them as brethren and sisters, as good, honorable men and women; let us see that they are provided for.
I have seen some people who would get down upon their knees and pray most heartily for God to feed the poor and clothe the naked. Now, I would never ask the Lord to do a thing that I would not do. If we have them among us, suppose we go at it and relieve them. … And if people sustain misfortune of any kind, look after them and bestow upon them those things necessary for their welfare and happiness. And God will bless us in so doing.

I would a great deal rather that you would take, say a sack of flour, some beef, … sugar, some butter and cheese, and clothing, and fuel, and such comforts and conveniences of life, and thus try to make people feel happy, than all the prayers you could offer up to the Lord about it; and he would rather see it too. That is the proper way to do things. In receiving blessings ourselves, try to distribute them, and God will bless and guide us in the ways of peace.

A man came to Jesus on one occasion and asked him, which was the greatest commandment. The Savior answered him: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” [Matthew 22:37-39]. Can we do that? It is sometimes hard work, is it not? We too frequently feel we would rather put two dollars in our own pocket than one in our neighbor’s do we not? We would rather have two or three cows than that our neighbor should have one? (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 24-25).

Some wonderful principles and laws governing true charity are outlined in a terrific way by President Harold B. Lee in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, Chapter 28, where he discusses the welfare program of the Church. Here is some of what he taught:

In the 104th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants … we have as clearly defined in a few words the Welfare Program as anything I know. Now listen to what the Lord says:

“I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine. And it is my purpose to provide for my saints.”

… Did you hear what the Lord said?

“It is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way.” …

“And behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints.”
Now, get the significance of this one statement:

“That the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.”

Now, that is the plan. … The Lord goes on to say:

“For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment” [D&C 104:14-18].

.… Now, what does he mean by this phrase? His way is, “that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.” …

“Exalt,” in the language of the dictionary, and the definition that I am sure the Lord is trying to convey means: “To lift up with pride and joy to success.” That is how we should lift the poor up, “with pride and joy to success,” and how are we to do it? By the rich being made low.
Now, do not mistake that word “rich.” That does not always mean a man who has a lot of money. That man may be poor in money, but he may be rich in skill. He may be rich in judgement. He may be rich in good example. He may be rich in splendid optimism, and in a lot of other qualities that are necessary. And when individual Priesthood quorum members unite themselves together, we usually find all those rare qualities necessary to lift up the needy and distressed with pride and joy to success in the accomplishment. There could not be a more perfect working of the Lord’s plan than that (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 166-7).

So, the Lord has made an effort to teach us charity by sharing what He has with us. He than asks that we then share what we have with others that we may become like Him.

President Brigham Young made a powerful promise to members of the Church:

I will here say to the Latter-day Saints, if you will feed the poor with a willing heart and ready hand neither you nor your children will ever be found begging bread (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 132).

There may be concern about giving to beggars. Brigham Young had this council:

If the poor had all the surplus property of the rich many of them would waste it on the lusts of the flesh, and destroy themselves in using it. For this reason the Lord does not require the rich to give all their substance to the poor. It is true that when the young man came to Jesus to know what he must do to be saved, he told him, finally, “sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me;” and a great many think that he told the young man to give away all that he had, but Jesus did not require any such thing, neither did he say so, but simply, “distribute to the poor” [see Luke 18:18-23] (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 239).

Similarly, President Joseph F. Smith had this to say:

have seen men go away from my door with good bread and butter in their hands (good enough for any king to eat, for my folks make good bread and good butter, as good as I ever ate on earth) and when out of the gate they have thrown it into the street. It was not food they wanted. They wanted money. For what? That they might go to some gambling [hall] or to some drinking saloon. Of course they are responsible for that. We can only judge by appearances and by the promptings of the good spirit within us; and it is better to give to a dozen that are unworthy than to turn away empty one worthy person (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 194).

A wonderful example of “charity” for those in need, which also follows the guidelines for the Church’s welfare program (for details, see Chapter 27 of this blog), comes from the life of Joseph Smith:

James Leach was an Englishman who had come to Nauvoo with his convert sister and her husband, Agnes and Henry Nightingale. After looking for work without success, James and Henry determined to ask the Prophet for help. James recalled:

“We … found [the Prophet] in a little store selling a lady some goods. This was the first time I had had an opportunity to be near him and get a good look at him. I felt there was a superior spirit in him. He was different to anyone I had ever met before; and I said in my heart, he is truly a Prophet of the most high God.

“As I was not a member of the Church I wanted Henry to ask him for work, but he did not do so, so I had to. I said, ‘Mr. Smith, if you please, have you any employment you could give us both, so we can get some provisions?’ He viewed us with a cheerful countenance, and with such a feeling of kindness, said, ‘Well, boys, what can you do?’ We told him what our employment was before we left our native land.

“Said he, ‘Can you make a ditch?’ I replied we would do the best we could at it. ‘That’s right, boys,’ and picking up a tape line, he said, ‘Come along with me.’

“He took us a few rods from the store, gave me the ring to hold, and stretched all the tape from the reel and marked a line for us to work by. ‘Now, boys,’ said he, ‘can you make a ditch three feet wide and two and a half feet deep along this line?’

“We said we would do our best, and he left us. We went to work, and when it was finished I went and told him it was done. He came and looked at it and said, ‘Boys, if I had done it myself it could not have been done better. Now come with me.’

“He led the way back to his store, and told us to pick the best ham or piece of pork for ourselves. Being rather bashful, I said we would rather he would give us some. So he picked two of the largest and best pieces of meat and a sack of flour for each of us, and asked us if that would do. We told him we would be willing to do more work for it, but he said, ‘If you are satisfied, boys, I am.’

“We thanked him kindly, and went on our way home rejoicing in the kindheartedness of the Prophet of our God.”

James Leach was baptized that same year and recorded that he “often had the privilege of seeing [the Prophet’s] noble face lit up by the Spirit and power of God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 425).

Similarly, President Kimball cautions us concerning many “causes” from which we may choose:

May I counsel you that when you select causes for which you give your time and talents and treasure in service to others, be careful to select good causes. There are so many of these causes to which you can give yourself fully and freely and which will produce much joy and happiness for you and for those you serve. There are other causes, from time to time, which may seem more fashionable and which may produce the applause of the world, but these are usually more selfish in nature. These latter causes tend to arise out of what the scriptures call “the commandments of men” [Matthew 15:9] rather than the commandments of God. Such causes have some virtues and some usefulness, but they are not as important as those causes which grow out of keeping the commandments of God (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 82\3-4).

In the wonderful quote from President Monson in this section, he states that if we have charity we can inspire, “gratitude in another human being” (p. 176). Here is a great example of this idea:

Joseph Smith was as tenderhearted as he was sociable, as one young man remembered: “I was at Joseph’s house; he was there, and several men were sitting on the fence. Joseph came out and spoke to us all. Pretty soon a man came up and said that a poor brother who lived out some distance from town had had his house burned down the night before. Nearly all of the men said they felt sorry for the man. Joseph put his hand in his pocket, took out five dollars and said, ‘I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?’” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 458).

Fasting and payment of fast offerings should be stressed in this lesson as an important way to give charity to the “Sick, Afflicted, and Poor” as the title of this section indicates. Here is what President Joseph F. Smith taught:

It is evident that the acceptable fast is that which carries with it the true spirit of love for God and man; and that the aim in fasting is to secure perfect purity of heart and simplicity of intention—a fasting unto God in the fullest and deepest sense—for such a fast would be a cure for every practical and intellectual error; vanity would disappear, love for our fellows would take its place, and we would gladly assist the poor and the needy (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 198).

President Monson elaborated on the welfare program of the Church:

The Church’s humanitarian efforts are reaching the hungry and homeless of many American cities. Throughout the state of Utah, among the border towns of Texas, Arizona, and California, and into the communities of Appalachia, food and clothing are donated through private voluntary organizations or directly to children’s homes, food banks, and soup kitchens. Much of this food starts its long journey on production projects managed by local agent stakes. Food is processed and packaged in Church canneries and distributed through storehouses, where Church welfare recipients and volunteers labor to assist their poor and needy neighbors within and outside the Church. Many could say with feeling, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat” (Matt. 25:35) (Ensign, May 1991, 47)

Charity Comes from the Heart

Elder Marvin J. Ashton gave a wonderful talk on charity where he taught about charity and the heart:

Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

During an informal fireside address held with a group of adult Latter-day Saints, the leader directing the discussion invited participation by asking the question: “How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ?” For forty-five minutes those in attendance made numerous suggestions in response to this question, and the leader carefully wrote down each answer on a large blackboard. All of the comments were thoughtful and appropriate. But after a time, this great teacher erased everything he had written. Then, acknowledging that all of the comments had been worthwhile and appreciated, he taught a vital principle: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people” (Ensign, May 1992, 18).

Perhaps adding to the title for this section to read “Charity Comes from the Heart not from the Pocketbook” could be used to illustrate the following from President Joseph F. Smith:

God has commanded this people to remember the poor, and to give means for their support. … We do not believe in charity as a business; but rather we depend on mutual helpfulness.
The Church has always sought to place its members in a way to help themselves, rather than adopting the method of so many charitable institutions of providing for only present needs. When the help is withdrawn or used up, more must be provided from the same source, thus making paupers of the poor and teaching them the incorrect principle of relying upon others’ help, instead of depending upon their own exertions. … Our idea of charity, therefore, is to relieve present wants and then to put the poor in a way to help themselves so that in turn they may help others (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 197).

Developing the Virtue of Charity

The first question in this section is, “How can we become more charitable?” (p. 177). An answer implied several times but not spelled out explicitly in this chapter is “follow the spirit.” Here is a great example of this from Heber J. Grant:

I remember once while sitting in the State Bank I saw an aged brother passing, by the name of John Furster. He was one of the first men baptized in Scandinavia. As he passed the bank window, the Spirit whispered to me “Give that man twenty dollars.” I went up to the teller, handed him my I O U for $20, walked down the street and overtook Mr. Furster in front of the Z. C. M. I. store. I shook hands with him and left the twenty dollars in his hand. Some years later I learned that that morning Brother Furster had been praying for sufficient means to enable him to go to Logan and do a little work in the temple there. At the time, the Salt Lake Temple was not completed. The twenty dollars was just the amount he needed, and years later he thanked me with tears running down his cheeks, for having given him this money (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 142).

Concerning another answer to this question, President Joseph F. Smith, speaking of the Relief Society, responded:

Where on earth should we look for good, for the spirit of truth, for sincerity, for divine love, for patience and long-suffering and forgiveness and endurance and charity and every other blessed thing, if we do not look for it in the organizations that develop the mothers and the daughters of Zion (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 185).

From the prophet Joseph comes the following:

In July 1839, the Prophet spoke to a group of Church leaders: “I then addressed them and gave much instruction … touching upon many subjects of importance and value to all who wish to walk humbly before the Lord, and especially teaching them to observe charity, wisdom and fellow-feeling, with love one towards another in all things, and under all circumstances” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 426).

The prophet Joseph also gave a great discourse on the need to develop charity:

It is a duty which every Saint ought to render to his brethren freely—to always love them, and ever succor them. To be justified before God we must love one another: we must overcome evil; we must visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and we must keep ourselves unspotted from the world; for such virtues flow from the great fountain of pure religion [see James 1:27].

[A member of the Church] is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them.

The rich cannot be saved without charity, giving to feed the poor when and how God requires.
Consider the state of the afflicted and try to alleviate their sufferings; let your bread feed the hungry, and your clothing cover the naked; let your liberality dry up the tear of the orphan, and cheer the disconsolate widow; let your prayers, and presence, and kindness, alleviate the pains of the distressed, and your liberality contribute to their necessities; do good unto all men, especially unto the household of faith, that you may be harmless and blameless, the sons of God without rebuke. Keep the commandments of God—all that he has given, does give, or will give, and an halo of glory will shine around your path; the poor will rise up and call you blessed; you will be honored and respected by all good men; and your path will be that of the just, which shineth brighter and brighter until the perfect day [see Proverbs 4:18] (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 426-7).

That charity is in general a disposition of Latter-day Saints was spoken of by President Joseph F. Smith:

We have always managed to give something to the poor, and refuse no one who asks for food. I believe this is the general sentiment and character of the Latter-day Saints. I think all the Mormon people are kindly disposed, and are generous toward the poor and unfortunate, and that there is not a Latter-day Saint under the sound of my voice or anywhere that would not divide his portion with his fellow creature in case of need (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 194).

That the development of charity is crucial to our religion was also emphasized by President Joseph F. Smith:

…let us exercise charity and forgiveness, love and mercy, one towards another; and go out of your way to help those that are in distress, so that the widow’s voice shall not ascend to God in complaint against the people for the lack of food, or raiment, or shelter. See to it that the orphan is not without a home in the midst of this people, nor without food or raiment, or chance to improve his mind. See to it that charity pervades all your actions and dwells in your hearts, inspiring you to look after the poor and afflicted, comforting those that are in prison, if they need comforting, and ministering unto those that are sick; for he that giveth a cup of cold water to a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 193).

The second suggestion in this section about “Developing the Virtue of Charity” is what to do when we feel uncharitable. President Grant shared a great example of this idea:

I heard a story of a brother (I have forgotten his name now) who attended a meeting in the early days. President Brigham Young made an appeal for donations to send to the Missouri River to help the Saints gather to Zion. He wanted everybody who could afford it, to give an ox or a cow or any other donation. One good brother jumped up and said, “I will give a cow.” Another brother got up and said, “I will give a cow.” The first brother had two cows and a large family; the other brother had a half-dozen cows and a small family. And, so the spirit [of the devil] came over the first man, [saying,] “Now, look here, you cannot get along with your large family; you cannot possibly get along with one cow. Now, that other man has got a small family and six cows; he could just as well give two or three and still get along all right.” As he started home, he walked four or five blocks, all the time getting weaker and weaker. Finally he thought, “I guess I won’t,” and then he realized the difference in the spirit that was tempting him and the one that had prompted his promise to the President of the Church that he would give a cow. Here was a spirit telling him to fail to fulfill his obligation, to fail to be honest, to fail to live up to his promise. He stopped short and turned around and said, “Mr. Devil, shut up or just as sure as I live, I will walk up to Brother Brigham’s office and give him the other cow.” He was not tempted any more (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 141-2).

Included in the third suggestion in this section is the statement, “The Savior taught that we must love others as we love ourselves” (see Matthew 22:39) (p. 177). Several important points may be important to understanding this. First, if we don’t love ourselves, how can we then have love for our neighbor? Secondly, take note that in this commandment we are not to love our neighbors “more than” or “less than” ourselves, but plainly “as” ourselves.

President Joseph F. Smith gave a terrific discourse on this commandment to love our neighbor as our self. It is a little long, but filled with wisdom:

It is a comparatively easy thing for a man to say he believes in God and in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, that he believes in repentance of sin, in baptism for the remission of sin, and in the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is apparently easy for a man to progress thus far. But when it comes to loving one’s neighbor as oneself, it is not so easy. Here we come to the difficult hill to climb, where we find all our powers taxed to the utmost to get to the top of it; and climbing as we may have been for many years of our lives, I will venture the assertion that we woke up this morning and found ourselves climbing still at the foot of the hill, we have not even approached the summit. For few men indeed, or women, even in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can say truthfully, “I love my neighbor as I love myself.”

We do not as a rule love our neighbor as we love ourselves. [Someone] once said, “Of all my mother’s sons I love myself the best.” So it is with God’s children upon this earth. Though our Father has many of them, and we are all of one blood, and we are members perhaps of one community, of one faith believing in one God and in one Lord Jesus Christ, yet each of us loves himself or herself the best. This feeling crops out in our daily life, in our hourly association with each other. It too often crops out even between husband and wife; often between father and children, and it is very prevalent among children. Is this Christianity? Is this the doctrine of Jesus Christ? Not according to the way I read the books and understand the principles of life and salvation. The scriptures tell us that we should prefer one another in love; that we should yield our own comfort, our own convenience, our own desires, or own happiness to the desires, the comfort and happiness of our neighbors;—to say nothing of our kindred and loved ones.

How are we to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. It is the simplest thing in the world; but too many people are selfish and narrow and not given to that breadth of feeling which reaches out and considers the benefit and welfare of their neighbors; and they narrow themselves down to their own peculiar and particular benefit and blessing and well being, and feel it to say: “O, let my neighbor take care of himself.” That is not the spirit that should characterize a Latter-day Saint (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 195).

Then President Smith added the following powerful concept:

I would advise that we learn to love each other, and then friendship will be true and sweet. It has been said by one, that “we may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 196).