The Washington herald., 1918-05-19

KNOW YE NOT THAT SYE ARE
THE TEMPLE OF GOD, AND THAT
THE SPIRIT OF GOD DwELLETH
IN YOU? IF ANY MAN DEFILE
THE TEMPLE OF GOD, HIM SHALL
GOD DESTROY; FOR THE TEN
PIE OF GOD is HOLY, WHICH
TEMPLE YE ARE" q Cor. 3:16; see
also 6:l9; and Doctrine & Covenants
$3.50
In these and kindred Scriptures the
sanctity OF the human body is affirmed
with impressive simplicity. The word
of God stands in strong contrast with
the erroneous assumption that the
body is a hindrance and burden TO
the spirit and ought to be contemned
and kept in subjection by self-imposed
afflictions. THE LUST OF THE
FLESH" as manifested in perverted
appetites and passions is a very real
temptation. and servitude thereto is
among the commonest Of sins; bat this
is the evil against which the saints OF
old were so solemnly warned in the
foregoing citation.
II the mortal state be an advance
ment beyond the pre-eXistent. unem-
bodied condition, and a preparation
q yet IIlOIC SAdlAGu NAASANlANtE dAAA
so the Scriptures attest. then the body
supreme worth.
The genius OF the current age rec
ognizes the nobility OF the mortal
tabernacle in fact il not in theory.
and as a result of this advanced con-
ception, means for the maintenance Of
health and preservation Of the body,
and the conservation OF its divinely
implanted functions are taught in
school and college, and are enforced
by statute for community observance.
After long centuries of painful ex-
perience the race is coming to under
stand that the human body is essen
TALLY good; and the word of God SO
proclaimed even in the beginning.
venture to affirm that every natural
appetite, yesrning. passion of the hu-
man organism is inherently good: and
that evil comes not from the normal
satisfying OF these cravings but from
the perversion thereof.
As early as 1893 the Lord spake TO
the Church of Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints, in warning against the use
Of stimulants and narcotics, and IN
counsel as to matters OF food and
drink. This revelation is currently
known as
THE WORD OF WISDOM.
That inasmuch as any man drink
eth wine or strong drink among you,
behold il is not good, neither meet in
the sight of your Father. only in as
sembling yourselves together to offeT
up your sacraments before him. And,
behold, this should be wine. yea. pure
wine Of the grape OF the vine, Of your
own make. And, again, strong drinks
are not for the belly, but for the
washing of your bodies. And again,
tobacco is not for the body. neither
for the belly. and is not good for man,
but is an herb for bruises and all sick
cattle, to be used with judgment and
skill. And again, hot drinks are not
for the body or belly. And again,
verify say unto you. all wholesome
herbs God hath ordained for the con-
stitution, nature. and use OF man
Every herb in the season thereof. and
every fruit in the season thereof: ali
these to be used with prudence and
thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts
and Of the fowls OF the air. /, the
Lord. have ordained for the use OF
man with thanksgiving; nevertheless
they are to be used sparingiy. And
1t Is pleasing unto me that they should
not be used only in times OF winter
or OF cold, or famine. All grain 10 or
dained for the use OF man aud ol
heasts . b tbs, ,sisn q. w. Rot a9lz