carpeomnius

It is perfectly your perogative if you wish to sustain the beliefs of dead prophets and ignore the counsel of living ones. It truly is easier to believe in and accept the teachings of past prophets than to sustain and heed the words of living ones. Hyrum Smith, who was also a prophet, seer, and revelator confirmed the belief that hot drinks means tea and coffee. In the words of Joseph Smith "get over it, if you can." For one reason or another, many cannot. "Be smart. Do not be so shortsighted as to indulge in the use of alcohol...Beer and other forms of alcohol will do you no good. Their use will be expensive, will dull your conscience, and could lead to the disease called alcoholism, which is humiliating, dangerous, and even deadly. The Word of Wisdom...is a divine code of health received through revelation in 1833. It proscribes alcohol and tobacco, tea and coffee...Some people argue over whether it [the Word of Wisdom] is a commandment. I do not need to argue. As far as I am concerned, whether it is a commandment or counsel, that which the Lord counsels becomes a commandment to Gordon B. Hinckley. I hope it does to you." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley) "...'Hot drinks are not for the body.' This is tea and coffee." says Spencer W. Kimball...believe him or believe him not, for he was truly a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. Spencer W. Kimball does not equivocate in denouncing these things. Said he, in the name of the Lord, mind you, "Thou shalt not use tea, coffee, tobacco or liquor." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball) "The prophets have taught that we should not partake of tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, or any substance that contains illegal drugs or harmful or habit-forming ingredients. In a world where so much of this is both acceptable and accessible, we encourage you to walk squarely on the Lord's side of the line. Do not tamper with any of these substances, nor similar products which give the "appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22)...We complicate the simplicity of the Word of Wisdom. The Lord said don't drink tea, coffee, or use tobacco or liquor and that admonition is simple." (Teachings of Howard W. Hunter) "Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions, such as no tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcohol." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson) "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." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young) In case you are not familiar with the definition of spirituous here you go from the American Heritage Dictionary: "1. Having the nature of or containing alcohol; alcoholic. 2. Distilled. Used of an alcoholic beverage." If you have a problem with the definition of abstain, well, here you go from the same dictionary: "1. To refrain from something by one's own choice: abstain from traditional political rhetoric. See Synonyms at refrain. 2. To refrain from voting: Forty senators voted in favor of the bill, 45 voted against it, and 15 abstained." "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 Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith) Joseph Smith, himself, is quoted as having taught: "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.'" (John A. Widtsoe, The Word of Wisdom, pp. 75-92.) "The Lord’s command that we abstain from alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee also runs counter to the traditions of many." (Dallin H. Oaks, in "Repentance and Change," Liahona, November 2003) "Soon after the restoration of the gospel and organization of the Church, the Lord gave a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith which we call the Word of Wisdom. It warned that tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco, among other things, were not good for man, and should not be used by the Saints." ("The Debate is Over," President N. Eldon Tanner) "It [the WOW] is also noted for its prohibition—absolute prohibition—against the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee." ("Run and Not be Weary," Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12) "It [the WoW] proscribes alcohol and tobacco, tea and coffee...I regret that we as a people do not observe it more faithfully." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Mormon should mean More Good") On Mormon.org "In addition to emphasizing the benefits of proper eating and physical and spiritual health, God has spoken against the use of: Tobacco. Alcohol. Coffee and tea. Harmful, habit-forming drugs." (http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/the-commandments/obey-the-word-of-wisdom?src=tv) "They should be striving to keep all of the Lord’s commandments, including praying, paying a full tithe, being honest in word and deed, and abstaining from the use of tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful and habit-forming substances." (Howard W. Hunter, The Presidents of the Church Teachers manual) "His Word of Wisdom includes sound nutritional guidance and simple instructions. We are not to drink alcoholic beverages. (See D&C 89:5–7.) We are not to use tobacco. (See D&C 89:8.) We are not to drink tea or coffee. (See D&C 89:9.)" (Russell M. Nelson, “Addiction or Freedom,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 6) I could go on and on and on and on and on and on...ad infinitum. The bottom line is that it really depends on whether or not you believe in continuing revelation, and it depends on whether or not you believe that Joseph Smith's successors were receiving revelation even as Joseph Smith, himself, did. I have it from the Lord in personal revelation that Joseph's successors, Brigham Young, John Taylor, etc were all, indeed, Prophets, Seers, and Revelators and they spoke the revelations of God when they said that the Word of Wisdom is a commandment and forbids the use of tobacco, alcohol, tea, and coffee. I believe that our modern prophets will still continue to say that the Lord forbids the use of those things in future revelations. All of our lesson manuals which mention the Word of Wisdom forbid the use of these things. All of them were written with the oversight of the First Presidency of the Church. It is absolutely clear that alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee are forbidden by way of commandment of the Lord and "get over it, if you can"!

The Word of Wisdom declares unequivocally against the internal use of alcohol in any form. "..that inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father" (D&C 89:5). Although the Word of Wisdom was given originally to show the will of God and not as a commandment, abstinence from alcohol was expected of fully participating Church members by the early twentieth century and faithful observance is virtually prerequisite to temple work and leadership callings in the church (see Doctrine and Covenants: Section 89). Concerning tea: Devout Latter-day Saints do not drink teas containing caffeine [i.e. teas containing genuine tea leaves]. This practice derives from an 1833 revelation known as the Word of Wisdom, which states that "hot drinks are not for the body or the belly" (D&C 89:9). Hyrum Smith, Assistant President of the Church, later defined "hot drinks" as coffee and tea (T&S 3 [June 1, 1842]:800), thereby establishing the official interpretation for later generations (see Doctrine and Covenants: Section 89). Caffeine, a cerebral and cardiovascular stimulant, has caused health concerns in recent years. The revelation has not been interpreted as proscribing herbal teas, for it states that "all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the Constitution, nature, and use of man" (D&C 89:10). Abstinence from coffee also has been expected of fully participating members since the early twentieth century. Concerning "mild drink": Mild drinks are mentioned in D&C 89:17. They are not meant as mild alcoholic drinks as alcohol, in any form, was strictly forbidden. "..that inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father" (D&C 89:5). That separates wine (which is relatively a mild version of an alcoholic drink, some wine less than others) from strong drink, respectively. One must ask what kind of wine was used in the sacrament in the early days of the Church. The Lord's instruction in verse 6 that for the sacrament the Saints use "pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make" reinforces His earlier instruction that "you shall not purchase [for the sacrament] wine neither strong drink of your enemies; "Wherefore, you shall partake of none except it is made new among you" (D&C 27:3-4). The "pure wine" in Doctrine and Covenants 89:6 is understood to mean new or unfermented grape juice, since the Word of Wisdom declares unequivocally against the internal use of alcohol in any form. This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that water was early in the history of the Church substituted for wine, for sacramental purposes. On the other hand, the language of this revelation leaves the impression that a wine with a low level of intoxicant is intended in 89:6. However, how can one be justified in partaking of a mild alcoholic drink on his own when the practice of drinking wine in the sacrament of the Lord has been discontinued?! The Word of Wisdom and latter revelations both reinforce that alcohol (in ANY form), tea (genuine tea leaves), coffee (even decaf), and tobacco are not for the body and we are commanded not to take them into our bodies. We might venture into the territory of decaffeinated coffee. The Church advises against coffee and not specifically any single ingredient therein. Although the main chemical in coffee that has caused health concerns is caffeine, a cerebral and cardiovascular stimulant, a large number of other substances are also found in coffee, and their effects on health are not yet well understood. If the Church prohibited the use of coffee solely because it contains caffeine then they would also make an official proclamation against other drinks containing that specific substance (i.e. colas, etc), and they have not! Now, Elders of Israel, if you have a right to chew tobacco, you have a privilege I have not; if you have a right to drink whiskey, you have a right that I have not; if you have a right to drink coffee and tea you have a privilege I have not; if you have a right to transgress the Word of Wisdom, you have a right that I have not.

Let me first state that I believe that true baptism has always been by immersion. I am a Mormon. This question is directed primarily at my Mormon brothers and sisters. On Yahoo answers I asked why the ordinance of baptism was changed by the Catholic Church from immersion to sprinkling. I got some good responses from Catholics. In fact, some of their responses seem hard to dispute. One of them told me that we usually take for granted the availability and ease of obtaining water, saying some have not always had a plentiful water supply, nor a convenient river or stream. Says she, if a community's supply of water came from a well, especially (as many did, and still do, in that part of the world and elsewhere throughout much of history) the task of drawing sufficient well water to baptize by immersion would have been not only daunting but also an imprudent use of the resource. This is argument number 1. Argument number 2 cites Acts 2:41, which says 'about' 3,000 people were baptized in one day, as proof that sprinkling was acceptable because it's not possible to be done in one spot with the limited help they had during that time. Christianity back then was to be hidden, so how did they baptize 3,000 people in one day without being caught if they had to immerse each person? Argument number 3 admits to the word Baptism in the Greek to mean dip and immerse, but says that if you look it up in the Greek lexicon it has the meaning of "wash" as well...and one could be washed by pouring. They cite Luke 11:38 and Mark 7:3-4 as having the Greek word baptisma? in one of its meanings as "to wash." So, fellow saints, I would be very grateful if you could help me against these very convincing arguments against baptism by immersion being the only true baptism of the Church of Jesus Christ in the early days. It's much more clear that the Nephites practiced baptism by immersion. And it's obvious that the true Church practices it today, but how do we respond to the above arguments?

This question was inspired by the following quote from another Latter-day Saint, "...say (which will never happen I hope) the president of the church says we are no longer going to read the book of mormon and every scripture is being done away with. We would still follow his councel because all in all he guides the affairs of the church through revelation and gives us the commandments which gods wants us to follow most currently." (sic) I just want to know how you feel about this. There are a number of pronouncements by past church leaders such as Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and Bruce R. McConkie that say, in so many words, that new revelation must not contradict that which has been revealed in the Standard Works of the Church (i.e. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price). I know that we can pray and receive personal revelation to know if a new revelation is true, but can we not also look and see if it contradicts something in the Standard Works to know that it is false? Do not get me wrong. I do not know of any pronouncement of new revelation from our Church leaders that does not fully square with the standard works. I'm just curious to know how you feel about this. quotes “The books, writings, explanations, expositions, views, and theories of even the wisest and greatest men, either in or out of the Church, do not rank with the standard works. Even the writings, teachings, and opinions of the prophets of God are acceptable only to the extent they are in harmony with what God has revealed and what is recorded in the standard works.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd edition, (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 111.) “It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teachings of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man¹s doctrine. You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards of doctrine, only in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works. Every man who writes is responsible, not the Church, for what he writes. If Joseph Fielding Smith writes something which is out of harmony with the revelations, then every member of the Church is duty bound to reject it. If he writes that which is in perfect harmony with the revealed word of the Lord, then it should be accepted.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:203-4) "If anyone, regardless of his position in the Church, were to advance a doctrine that is not substantiated by the standard Church works, meaning the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, you may know that his statement is merely his private opinion. The only one authorized to bring forth any new doctrine is the President of the Church, who, when he does, will declare it as revelation from God, and it will be so accepted by the Council of the Twelve and sustained by the body of the Church. And if any man speak a doctrine which contradicts what is in the standard Church works, you may know by that same token that it is false and you are not bound to accept it as truth." (Harold B. Lee, The First Area General Conference for Germany, Austria, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Spain of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Munich Germany, August 24–26, 1973, with Reports and Discourses, 69.) "It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they speak and write. Now you keep that in mind. I don't care what his position is, if he writes something or speaks something that goes beyond anything that you can find in the standard works, unless that one be the prophet, seer, and revelator—please note that one exception—you may immediately say, "Well, that is his own idea!" And if he says something that contradicts what is found in the standard works (I think that is why we call them "standard"—it is the standard measure of all that men teach), you may know by that same token that it is false; regardless of the position of the man who says it." (Harold B. Lee, "The Place of the Living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," Address to Seminary and Institute of Religion Faculty, BYU, 8 July 1964.)

Very nice. Sounds good to me.

Thanks for providing the URL because I found that you made an error. Marion G. Romney did not make that statement. H. Burke Peterson made that statement. (H. Burke Peterson, “Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Oct. 1975, 36–37). It should be noted that "Answers" are for help and perspective, not as pronouncements of Church doctrine. The Church has taken no stand against any substances containing caffeine other than coffee and tea. As Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote about the Word of Wisdom, “Some people become cranks. … There is no prohibition in Section 89 as to the eating of white sugar, cocoa, chocolate, … or anything else except items classified under tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor. If some particular food disagrees with an individual, then that person should act accordingly without reference to the prohibitions in this particular law of health.” (McConkie, 1966, pp. 845–56.)