This past week, we here in Utah celebrated the 24th of July. This holiday is celebrated in commemoration of those pioneers who crossed the plains in wagons and handcarts, often giving all that they have in order to follow their faith. Today, as members of the Church, we have inherited that pioneer legacy. Even those members of the Church who dwell far from Utah, from the beaches of California to the skyscrapers of New York to the distant countries of Taiwan or Russia, have those pioneers to thank. Without them, the Church surely would not be where it is today.
That legacy of faith and trials does not end with the pioneers, however. Even today, we face many challenges and difficulties. For many of us, these may be in the same vein as those faced by the pioneers - physical or financial hardships. Others of us, however, have other troubles. Finding peace amidst the chaos of today’s world, or keeping an enduring faith in God when it seems that He isn’t immediately answering our prayers or delivering us from sorrow.
Why do we have such troubles? Why doesn’t God help us to escape from these problems? After all, aren’t we His faithful servants?
One thing that I have learned as I have served as a missionary is that trials are the quickest and most powerful way to grow. It is only after gold is refined and cleansed from impurities that it becomes beautiful. This life has trials often for that very purpose - as we learn how to endure or overcome hardships, that is when we develop our faith or our character. That is how we are able to learn to lean upon Christ, and share our yoke with Him.
Relish your trials, and savor the lessons that you learn from them. As we look upon the cup we are given in a spirit of gladness and hope rather than despair, then we will be able to feel the same peace and joy that kept those pioneers singing hymns of praise as they pulled their carts across the endless plains, leaving behind the old for something new and better.

(This is the second in a series of common questions from Mormon.org. For other Q and A posts, click on the “Q and A” label at the bottom of this post.)

Q: Elder Hafen, I’m a member, but I’m still confused about a few things about the Word of Wisdom. I know that we’re supposed to avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, illegal drugs, and that kind of thing, but how do we get those specifics? D&C 89, where the Word of Wisdom is revealed, doesn’t say anything about illegal drugs! Also, why can’t we drink coffee or tea? The others I can understand, but isn't tea supposed to be good for you? Finally, is caffeine against the Word of Wisdom? I know that lots of other members in my ward don’t drink caffeine, but I saw my Bishop drink a Pepsi the other day. Was he sinning?
               Sincerely,
                    Concerned Member

A: Those are some good questions! Since there are actually a few different questions here, we’ll break it down a little.

     a. How do we get the specifics about the Word of Wisdom?
     You’re definitely right that we don’t have that many specifics. If one interpreted D&C 89 word for word without taking anything else into account, then many people would likely think that it was fine to drink wine as long as they made it themselves, but that drinks such as hot chocolate are against the commandment. Fortunately, as with all other commandments and aspects of the gospel, God doesn't give us a commandment and then say, “Well, have at it!” Instead, he sends living prophets to council us, reveal additional guidance and revelation, and to clarify commandments that He has given. Through the insight and guidance of many modern prophets, we've grown to know so much more about many of the commandments that God has given us, including the Word of Wisdom.

     b. Why can’t we drink coffee or tea?
     Sometimes, the initial reasons for a commandment aren't entirely clear. Some commandments, such as not stealing, have benefits that we can see immediately simply by looking at the nature of the commandment itself. Other commandments, such as paying tithing, might not have benefits that are immediately seen, but as we follow these commandments, those blessings become more apparent. The Word of Wisdom fits into both categories - avoiding things such as alcohol and drugs clearly have great physical benefits for our bodies. However, the benefits of avoiding coffee and tea aren't as clear. Like all commandments, however, when we do our best to follow every aspect of the Word of Wisdom, that is when we will start seeing all of the blessings that it provides - not only physical blessings, but spiritual ones as well. One example we can use in this situation is that of Joseph Smith, when he very first received the revelation about the Word of Wisdom. At the time, it was thought that things such as smoking were actually healthy. Later, as science progressed, they learned that such things were actually very bad for our bodies. In brief, Heavenly Father has made our bodies, and knows what is best for them. If we listen to the guidance He gives us, we’ll be safe and blessed, both in a physical sense and a spiritual sense.

     c. Is caffeine against the Word of Wisdom?
     No, not specifically. In addition to helping us know a few specific substances that are wrong, prophets have helped to clarify the base principle of the Word of Wisdom - we should avoid any sort of addictive substance that takes away our agency, or right to make choices. Some members of the Church consider caffeine to fit into this category, and thus make it a point to avoiding beverages or other substances that contain it. Other members of the Church don’t feel that it is something that is addicting or causing problems for them, so they don’t go to the same steps of avoiding it. Neither of these groups of people are more righteous or more correct than the other - they’re making their own choices and deciding what is best for them. Because caffeine is not something we’re specifically counseled to avoid, it’s a personal decision. If anyone isn't sure about it, I would encourage them to make it a matter of prayer, and ask God what they think they should do.

I hope that I was able to help answer your question, Concerned Member! If anyone has any additional questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments below this post, and I’ll be happy to answer them for you! Also, please let me know if you have any questions that would you like to see if future "Q and A" posts!

In my last post, I wrote about how we should strive for perfection, even though we’re not able to reach such a state. As we work towards this goal, we must also remember that others are doing likewise - they too are striving for perfection, but aren’t there yet. This applies to everyone in our lives, from Church leaders to friends to family members. Don’t judge others for their imperfections, but instead appreciate the help and good things that they accomplish, rather than focusing on those negative aspects of their personality.
At a recent talk here at the MTC, the speaker shared the story of a man who lied to his brothers, initially didn’t help them in their their time of need, and, when he finally did provide them aid, planted an object on one of them in order to unfairly arrest him. Even though he knew that they were innocent, he unfairly threw his brother into prison. With just this story and no other background, one would think of this man as a cruel person. However, when one better knows his story and understands the situation and why he is doing these things, we can understand that this man not only great loves and cares for his brothers, but in fact is trying to do what will help them best. This man was Joseph, the prophet of God who was sold into Egypt by these same brothers.
Just as we can’t properly judge Joseph without properly understanding his position, we shouldn’t judge others, particularly within the Church. How easy it is to see someone walk into Sacrament Meeting one Sunday fifteen minutes late and think, “Oh, he must have been sleeping in, putting his own needs before what is important,” or “He must not really have a desire to be here; someone must be making him come,” without understanding that perhaps that same person had to walk to Church, as his family had turned him out of his home for his faith and beliefs.
Even our leaders sometimes are not perfect. They may make choices or decisions that we may view as unjust. Sometimes, they might share an opinion with which we don’t agree. Rather than furiously raging against them, we can each acknowledge that they, too, are imperfect, but are striving to be better through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church and its members are like a finely decorated box containing a priceless pearl. The box gives the pearl a place to rest, protects it, and gives it a beautiful backdrop to amplify its beauty. However, it is the pearl itself that is valuable and perfect. The box may be marred or flawed, but the pearl is what is perfect.
Let us each focus on the pearl - the gospel of Jesus Christ that we are all trying to follow. Don’t judge others for their actions, and be kind and charitable, even in the face or their mistakes or imperfections. As we each do this, we will better be able to help one another in our mutual goal to become more like the Savior, and follow His perfect example.

There are times when the gospel seems a little overwhelming. Between family, a Church calling, daily prayer and scripture study, home teaching, helping other ward members and neighbors, and countless other activities, sometimes it seems like there is never enough time in the day to complete all of our tasks. To top things off, we will slip up and make mistakes. Does this mean that we’re not qualified to be a member of the Church, or not worthy to feel Christ’s love for us? Not at all.
Christ never promised that only the perfect would be blessed. Teaching the sermon on the mount, He didn’t say “blessed are the righteous.” Rather, He instead shared, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” None of us are perfect, and none of us are expected to be perfect on our own - it is only through Christ and His Atonement that we are able to reach that level, and, during this life, it will only be for small amounts at a time. We may repent, go to Church, take the sacrament, and, just hours later, sin once again. We had been perfect, but only for a few minutes. What do we do? We repent again. We move forward, and we become perfect in Christ.
This becoming is not a single event. We become perfect again and again and again, each time we slip away from our perfection. Even if we’re not able to meet all of the duties that we think we should, or we feel that we don’t adequately fulfill the role that we should play in our lives, we still can be, for just a few moments, perfect, as Christ has commanded us to be. We must not look at our mortal failures marring our perfection, but instead look upon ourselves as Christ would - seeing the perfect spirit that is inside. When we keep this goal in mind, and focus only on the positive, doing our best to repent daily and strive for perfection, that is when we are truly perfect.

It seems that almost all problems can, on one level or another, be traced back to pride. Pride is so often found as the root of contention, of greed, and often times even such seemingly unrelated sins such as lust. Perhaps some of the greatest examples of this principle can be found in the Book of Mormon, where pride is a constant cycle. As the Nephites or the Lamanites started to become prosperous because of their faith, they start to lose that very belief and become quick to forget their God. Once they have lost the prosperity that their faith had brought them, they once again remember God and turn again to Him, after being humbled once again. One of the biggest problems that can be caused by too much pride is a lack of faith - someone can become so puffed up in their own selves that they feel that they don’t need the Savior’s redeeming love or His Atonement. They often don’t even believe that their loving Heavenly Father is there for them, relying on their own knowledge and studies which “prove” that He does not exist. If these same people were to put aside pride, then these same evidences could be powerful proof to them of the reality of their Heavenly Father. If they would simply acknowledge that there could be something more out there than their studies have shown them, and take a few minutes to read the Book of Mormon and to pray, then they could have so much more in life.
Pride is not something that is only found in those outside the Church, however. It’s not uncommon to get a chat on Mormon.org from someone who attended a Church meeting or spoke with a member of the Church and was left feeling upset and rejected. It is so great that we have the restored gospel and its truths, and even better if we share this with others, but we must do it in a respectful, loving way. Humility was one of the greatest aspects of the Savior. In the scriptures, Christ most often refers to Himself as the “Son of Man,” rather than one of His other, loftier titles such as the Messiah or the Only Begotten of the Father. If we can each remember Christ’s perfect love and humility when speaking with others who do not share our beliefs - even if they aren’t willing to accept what we have to share, and even if they go so far as to directly attack us and our beliefs - then we will be so much more effective in our efforts to help others and to teach them more about what we know can bring them more happiness and blessings in their lives.

There is a Primary Children’s song that talks about how the more love we give, the more we will receive. What better love do we have to share with others than the perfect, redeeming love of Jesus Christ? When we share the gospel with others, that is one of the most powerful ways we can help them to have better, happier lives. In addition, our own “love” - in this case, our personal testimony and understanding of the gospel - will grow as we do our best to share what we have with others.
Today, I had the chance to talk with a friend who recently joined the Church. He shared that one of his very favorite things to do is to help the missionaries in his area to teach others about the gospel, and to speak up and share his experiences and his own personal witness about the gospel. There are very few things in this life that can be generated without using up some sort of source - the scientific law of entropy speaks to this effect. This law, however, does not apply to the gospel. When we share with others about our beliefs and help them to gain their own personal witnesses, it is something that only spreads and grows, as those people in turn share that which we have given them with others, and so on and so forth. If everyone could be more like my friend with whom I spoke today, then so many more people would have the opportunity to hear more about the gospel and to come to feel more happiness, comfort, and peace in their lives.
Often, on chat, we will get people who have testimonies that are faltering. Many of them share that they are even reading the scriptures and praying every day, but still don’t feel the Spirit like they feel they once did. Though their could be many causes for such a situation, one suggestion I have for all people in such a position is to attend Church regularly - attending Church is a great chance to share our testimony with others. When we do this, that is something that increases their strength. Like a muscle in our bodies, our faith is strengthened with use, including our personal testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. Church isn’t the only place when one is able to do this. Never be afraid to speak up to others when a good opportunity arises. If someone is experiencing a particularly difficult time in their life, maybe share with them your knowledge of the power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, and how it can help us to endure and overcome our struggles. If someone feels that their life no longer has a purpose, or that things never work out no matter what, help them to overcome such discouragement by sharing with them your knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation. There is always something that we can share to help others find the answers to these and many other of life’s deep questions. Through such actions, I know that we will each personally be able to grow in our own faith, and help them to each come closer to Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 15-16


10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!


 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!