Mormon,Mormonism,Exoplanets Other Worlds

And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose: and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. (Moses 1:33)

That verse tells us there are an infinite number of worlds in the Cosmos. When that verse was written in June 1830, I'm guessing that there was no scientific evidence about life on other planets. Even science fiction about life in space came later. According to Wikipedia science fiction developed in the 19th century, much later than the recording of that verse from Moses. I consider that verse one of the most remarkable predictions in Mormonism.

Latter-day Saints believe the many worlds created by God serve as mortal homes for God's spirit children, and this substantiated by the following verse from the book of Moses.

And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women, which are many. (Moses 4:26)

After hearing about worlds without number, Moses asked the Lord to tell him about the earth and its inhabitants, and also about the heavens. The Lord replied by saying

And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.

And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words. (Moses 1:37-38)

There is no end to the creations of God.

The first planet outside our solar system was discovered in 1992, and in subsequent years, hundreds of additional planets have been discovered. Planets not in our solar system are known as exoplanets. Many of the planets that have been discovered are large gas planets and are orbiting too close to their star to have the conditions for life. However, as scientists develop better technology, they are detecting smaller planets, including some which are believed to be rocky planets.

Great efforts are being made in the scientific community to discover exoplanets. As reported in The State of Planet Hunting at the End of 2005, Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, DC predicted that by the end of the next decade, scientists will know which nearby stars have planets, and we will have the first images from sunlight reflecting off the atmospheres of some of the exoplanets.

The National Geographic Daily News published an article describing the finding of a planet that is about 36 light-years from our earth. The planet is about 3.6 times the mass of our earth, and it orbits its star at the right distance to have water on the planet. The planet orbits in a circular orbit, meaning it should have a stable climate. Scientists say that the planet would need a cloud cover of about 50% to keep the planet from overheating. Our earth has a 60% cloud cover. In order to have clouds, the planet would need an atmosphere, and we currently do not have instruments that can detect an atmosphere on exoplanets.

Mormon,Mormonism Nutrition

Concerning nutrition, the Lord said the following.

And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. (D&C 89:10-11)

The Lord said to use herbs and fruits (and vegetables) in their season. Today, we have food preservation methods and fast transportation that didn't exist in the 19th century, and we are able to use food when it is out of season. However, there are good reasons to use when possible food fresh from the gardens and orchards. As an example of this, grocery stores don't carry tree-ripened fruit due to the long transportation and storage requirements of the modern food industry. Fortunately, farmers-markets and roadside food stands do provide tree-ripened fruits and other food fresh from their gardens and orchards. Another example is that of apples. It is common for the producers of apples to dye apples, especially lower quality apples, to make the apples appear more inviting to shoppers. The next time you buy red apples from a grocery store, take a bite and then look at the white meat to see if the red dye has soaked through the skin into the white meat.

Concerning grains, the Lord said

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. (D&C 89:14, 16-17)

Grains are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and protein. In addition, we know through modern nutrition the importance of having sufficient fiber (or "roughage" as my mother called it) in our diets.

I think of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates as the fuel that keeps our bodies going. All functions of our bodies are related to chemical activities, and the chemicals are provided by our intake of food and drink. Probably the best source of nutrition is natural foods and drinks. However, people are taking supplements instead of eating proper foods, because the supplements are easier to take and require less time to consume. In addition the nutritional quality of our food is declining, due to depletion of the soils used in agriculture and attempts by the food industry to produce food and drinks at a lower cost and with longer shelf-lives, and people take supplements to overcome these deficiencies in their food and drink.

Mormon,Mormonism Tobacco

The revelation known today as the Word of Wisdom was given to Joseph Smith in February 1833. It gave a warning that said the following concerning the use of tobacco.

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 (D&C 89:8)

Notice that the Lord spoke of tobacco. He didn't speak of smoking. Thus the reference to tobacco includes smoking, snuff, and chewing tobacco. This revelation was originally a suggestion from the Lord but not a commandment. It was later made a commandment, and today the church requires complete abstinence from tobacco as a requirement for a Temple recommend.

When I was a kid, my parents used Black Leaf 40 as an insecticide. The main ingredient (40%) is nicotine, and it was an effective product. I recently googled "black leaf 40", and it is still available. One of my missionary companions was raised on a dairy farm in Star Valley, Wyoming. He said that when a cow became sick, his father would stuff a plug of chewing tobacco down the cow, and the cow would recover. His father apparently took Section 89 of The Doctrine and Covenants literally. Scientific research is showing overwhelming evidence that the intake of tobacco into our bodies is harmful to our health. Not only is tobacco harmful to those who use it, smoke from tobacco that is inhaled by those not smoking is harmful, too.This does not imply that other uses of tobacco are unacceptable to the Lord, as the Lord implied in his reference to cows.

Mormon,Mormonism Alcohol

The revelation known today as the Word of Wisdom was given as a warning to Joseph Smith in February 1833. It said the following concerning the use of alcohol.

That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
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. (D&C 89:5-7)

Notice that the Lord said that wine and strong drinks are not good. Wine, the Lord said should be for use in sacraments. (He said in another revelation recorded as Section 27 that "it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory") The Lord went on to say that strong drinks are not for the belly. The phrase strong drinks referred to alcoholic drinks made via a distilling process.

Making a distinction between drinks containing low amounts of alcohol and those containing high amounts was common in society at the time this revelation was given. For centuries, low alcoholic drinks had been used by everyone. For example, a jug of cider (low alcohol) was by the door, and visitors to the house took a swig as soon as they entered the house. In many areas, the available water was not safe to drink, and low-alcoholic drinks were used as we use water today.

The acceptance and use of drinks distilled to have a high alcoholic content became common during the early part of the 19th century, and in the 1830s, practically every person 15 years or older drank an average of 89 bottles of whiskey per year. Drunkenness was common and was destructive to families and working conditions. Some people recognized the destructiveness of alcoholic drinks and formed temperance movements to try to get people to use less alcohol. During early years in the 19th century, the temperance movements only tried to prohibit whiskey, but later in the 19th century, the movements changed and tried to ban all alcoholic drinks.

In giving the Word of Wisdom revelation, the Lord didn't make the use of alcoholic drinks a commandment. I'm guessing he did this, because he knew that adult members of the church were addicted to alcohol, and it would be wise to have the Saints make a gradual change to no-drinking. Later, the Prophet of the church made total abstinence of alcoholic drinks a commandment. This is an example of the value in having the church led by prophets. And, this pattern of the Lord taking a gradual approach to commandments is a parallel to the way the Lord dealt with the Israelites when they followed Moses out of Egypt. The Lord had them wander in the wilderness for 40 years (2 generations) so new children and grandchildren would be the ones who would enter the promised land -- new people who lived in freedom rather than in slavery. The Lord had the Saints live the Word of Wisdom as a revelation but not a commandment for approximately 40 years, and then he, through his Prophet, made the revelation a commandment.

Overwhelming scientific evidence is validating that the drinking of alcohol is harmful to our health, both physical health and mental health.

Mormon,Mormonism Tea and Coffee

The revelation known today as the Word of Wisdom was given as a warning. It refers to "hot drinks". That phrase was used by Joseph Smith in recording the revelation because it was a phrase in common use at that time. People referred to drinks as "cold drinks" or "hot drinks". People knew what Joseph meant by "hot drinks". That phrase is not in common use today, and there is controversy today about the meaning of "hot drinks". To clarify the meaning of "hot drinks", the prophets of the church have defined "hot drinks" as meaning tea and coffee. This is what the Lord said about hot drinks (using the phraseology of Joseph Smith).

And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly (D&C 89:9)

Abstinence from tea and coffee is required for a Temple recommend. Abstinence from other drinks that may have elevated temperatures, such as hot chocolate, is left to the discretion of the user. I do know of one case where a Bishop authorized a ward member (my mother) to drink coffee because that person was directed by her doctor to consume caffeine for her heart-problem. She retained her Temple recommend while consuming one cup of coffee per day.

Scientists are researching the effects of tea and coffee on our bodies. One of the main ingredients in tea and coffee is caffeine, and scientists are focusing on that ingredient in much of their research. It is important to note, however, that caffeine is not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom, and the consumption of caffeine may or may not be the reason the Lord said "hot drinks are not for the body or belly".

I was surprised to discover that almost all of the scientific articles about tea and coffee that I read reported beneficial results. Those articles are focusing on the beneficial effects of caffeine, a stimulant. I did find a few articles that reported negative effects of caffeine.

Mormon,Mormonism Meat

Included in the warning known as the Word of Wisdom is counsel about meat.

Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine (D&C 89:12-13)

That warning is pretty clear. We should only eat "flesh also of beasts" (red meat) or "fowls of the air" (chicken, turkey, game birds) during the "winter, or of cold, or famine". Meat is a valuable source of protein, but apparently we should look to plants rather than animals for our protein. Wikipedia summarizes the nutritional value of meat.

All muscle tissue is very high in protein, containing all of the essential amino acids, and in most cases is a good source of zinc, vitamin B₁₂, selenium, phosphorus, niacin, vitamin B₆, choline, riboflavin and iron. Several forms of meat are high in vitamin K₂, which is only otherwise known to be found in fermented foods, with natto having the highest concentration. Muscle tissue is very low in carbohydrates and does not contain dietary fiber. The fat content of meat can vary widely depending on the species and breed of animal, the way in which the animal was raised, including what it was fed, the anatomical part of the body, and the methods of butchering and cooking. Wild animals such as deer are typically leaner than farm animals, leading those concerned about fat content to choose game such as venison. Decades of breeding meat animals for fatness is being reversed by consumer demand for meat with less fat.

However, Wikipedia gives the following caution for those who consume no meat.

Most meats contain a full complement of the amino acids required for the human diet. Fruits and vegetables, by contrast, sometimes lack several essential amino acids contained in meat. It is for this reason that people who abstain from eating all meat need to plan their diet more carefully to include vegetarian sources of all the necessary amino acids.

The Lord did not mention fish. This is strange since fish are eaten by a large percentage of the world's population. This might have been because the eating of fish was uncommon among the Saints, or perhaps the Lord wanted his revelation to be a general guide, and he was content to let the Saints make their own decision about fish. Another speculation is that the Saints may not have been abusing the use of fish like they apparently were abusing red meat and fowl and needed no guidance about fish.

Mormon,Mormonism Drugs

In 1833, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith a health law that has become known as the "Word of Wisdom". That health law was not intended to list all of the harmful things we might consume. Since that time, dangerous drugs have been developed and are being illicitly used. Our church leaders counsel us to avoid becoming dependent on drugs, and I think this counsel applies to both illegal drugs and legal drugs. Just because drugs are "legal", that doesn't mean that they can't be abused by those who want the effects or "highs" from the drugs. My own opinion, and it is nothing more than my opinion, is that I don't want to take any drugs unless I have to in an emergency. Because of this, my wife and I use homeopathic remedies instead of drugs for our medications.

LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley has spoken out against the abuse of drugs.

This modern drug scourge has become as a plague on the world. But in most cases, the death it brings is not swift, but rather, it follows a long period spent in misery and pain and regret. Unlike the plagues of old, from which there was no known defense, the defense is clear and relatively easy in the case of illicit drugs. It lies in simply refraining from touching them....Let no member of this church, be he man or boy, girl or woman, fall prey to this frightful scourge. Some things are right; some are wrong. You know this as well as do I. God grant you the strength to stand free from this enslavement and from the personal holocaust of destruction which inevitably follows.

Drugs are a real scourge on people of all ages. The LDS church teaches that we should be in control of our actions, but those on drugs have given up that control to chemicals.