Legalization of Marijuana
I have never felt so humiliated in my life over anything as that the State of Utah voted for the repeal of Prohibition.
- President Heber J. Grant, Conference, Oct. 1934
From this very stand he pleaded with us not to repeal the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. He didn't speak as Heber J. Grant, the man, he spoke as the President of the Church and the representative of our Heavenly Father. And yet in a state where we could have retained what we had, there were enough Latter-day Saints . . . who paid no attention to what the Lord wanted . . .and what is the result? Such delinquency as we have never known. . . .
- George Albert Smith, Conference, Oct 1943
One of the saddest days in all of Utah's history was when the people, including the Latter-day Saints (for it could not have been done without them), rejected the counsel and urging of the Lord's prophet, Heber J. Grant, and repealed Prohibition long years ago--yet many of those voters had sung numerous times, "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet."
- The Teachings of Spencer. W. Kimball
I believe there is a clear relationship between the historical issue of repealing prohibition and the current issue surrounding marijuana legalization. If you cannot see a relationship then I am not sure you can be helped. Therefore, because these issues are so similar, I believe the prophets have spoken and we should be careful whose side we are on.
The LDS Church does not prohibit the use of alcohol as a disinfectant or to wash the body. I am sure the LDS Church has no problem with using Hemp for rope, or marinol for nausea as prescribed by a doctor. The problem with Cannabis, is when it is smoked, or ingested or taken in any other way for the purposes of getting "High"
There is nothing Satan wants more than to see Cannabis use for the purposes of getting "High" legalized in America. And he will use any means and any argument to achieve that goal. Whose side are you going to be on in this issue?
The LORD admonishes in His "Word of Wisdom" "All seedbearing herbs for theuseof man to be used with prudence and understanding." (D&C89). Yes, with prudence and understanding, This doesn mean that every plant or herb or weed is meant to be smoked.
if alkaloids in this plant help wtih appetite, then isolate those specific alkaloids, and leave out the psychogenic ones. Smoking jimsom weed or fox glove will kill you.
Many proponents of legalizing marijuana argue that there are so many unappreciated medical and health benefits to marijuana. They feel like keeping marijuana illegal is "throwing out the baby with the bathwater". Many physicians I know are open to alternative, natural treatments. However, most physicians haven't seen benefits for marijuana over other current remedies. There are several FDA approved alternatives for appetite. Furthermore, if a patient wants to try Cannabis, Marinol is FDA approved, and you don't have to smoke it. No one is throwing out any babies. But I think some people want to keep their dirty bath water.
If we want to end the war on drugs, then bring our soldier home and put them on our borders to stop the illegal import of drugs. and we need to root out the corruption in our government and stop electing Bohemian Grove, and Skull and Bones members as POTUS. These secret organizations have been in operation behind the scenes infiltrating our government and institutuons and subverting our freedoms. The POTUS has been a member of Bohemian Grove or a Bildiberg all the way back to Taft. So, it's no surprise when CIA and Special Forces get caught time and again shipping cocaine into the US, or the ATF gets caught shipping guns to Mexican drug cartels, or US Banks are caught laundering Mexican drug cartel money, or to know that Heroin production in Afganistan is up 400 percent pre-Taliban levels(the Taliban actually prohibited Poppy growing and Pedophilia "Bacha Bazi" in about 1999).
Mos 29: 25-26 "Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people."
Many claim that legalizing marijuana is about liberty and freedom and agency. This group claims that our laws should never coerce others to do the right. This argument is totally misunderstanding the principle of agency. Agency is choosing freedom by following Gods law. All law is morality, and we should use our agency as a people to make laws that reflect and defend Gods laws. Only by doing this can we be free.
God has commanded us that we must carefullly regulate and manage our appetites and passions less these passions control us and lead to destructive behaviors. Animals act on instinct. If they feel to do something, they do it. Being Human is about being able to feel, yet think first, and choose not to just react on impulse. Psychoactive drugs are dangerous because they shut down our ability to think, as well as destroy our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
When it comes to saving our Republic and the Constitution, only a return to our traditional Christian morals/values (a return to virtue) can succeed. God has established a covenant of peace with those who posess this land that inasmuch as we keep His commandments we will be blessed with peace and prosperity. But inasmuch as we do not keep His commandments we would be cursed, cut off from His presence. There is forming a great division in our country, a great division both morally and politically. A friend on the internet said "Our Lord tells us "He" will be the cause of the great Latter-day division (2nd Nephi 30:10). When it comes down to it, it will "only" be the moral issues that will matter. Moral issues will determine what side each of us is on with this great division our Lord has promised us. "
Agency is not just freedom to do whatever without consequence. It's freedom to choose Gods laws. Choosing evil is not excercizjng agency and it leads to captivity and death. Our laws to protect agency should dissuade people from falling into sin and captivity. Again, we should be free to choose, but that does not mean we are free to avoid the consequences of those choices.
"free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" (2 Nephi 2:27).
If our laws reflect Gods laws then choosing the right should lead to more liberty, but choosing the wrong should lead to the consequence of restricted liberty. Our governments are getting things backwards by limiting and restricting that which God wants (prayer in school) and supporting and facilitating that which God does not want (substance abuse). As time passes, choosing the right is restricted while choosing the wrong is permitted. In another way, Wellfare programs fail to turn lives around and empower and reward good choices, but instead enable and ease the consequences of sin.
Setting up laws which protect the righteous in doing right, and restrict the wicked in doing wickedness is not coercion. The message of Freedom is in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Mormon says the Nephites established just laws that preserved the rights of religion and punished wrong behavior. However, the Book of Mormon is clear that there should be no laws against a persons belief.
Alma 1:17-18 "Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death."
Marijuana and other elicit drugs are or contain powerful mind-altering substances. If we do not decide as a free people to establish consequences for the abuse of these harmful substances, then are we really free? If we give people the illusion that they can use drugs without consequences, then they will be too easily enticed to experiment with drugs and many enslaved and destroyed. Lehi teaches his children that we are only free if we are both enticed by both sides. Our laws, therefore, should sufficently entice us away from harmful behavior.
2 Nephi 2:16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
Our laws restrict self harm and abuse. Our laws restrict suicide, and they entice us away from drug use. Maybe, we can agree that self-harm should not be criminalized as it is. However, companies who deal in marketing and selling instruments of self-harm to others should always remain illegal. Fear is a form of coercive force that should be used used to prevent the violation of the rights of others. Elicit drug abuse and addiction has grave costs to society in terms of unemployment, lost productivity, poverty, child neglect, child abuse, and crime. However, for those who choose to harm themselves, our laws should discourage this but not direct fear at the victim. This will only drive them to further hide their sins and not seek help and rehabilitation.
18 comments:
I was all set sit down and let you know how wrong you are. That would have been very wrong of me. Most, if not all, of what you have to say is based on an irrational fear perhaps of something you don't really understand. Rather than go topic by topic to refute it, I will just stay this: "I am a medical cannabis patient. I am also an active, worthy member of the church in good standing." I use it to treat seizures and seizing attacks. A medical condition that was complicated when it was discovered that I had cysts, calcifications, and lesions grow throughout my brain. Having suffered from this condition most my adult life I would say that I am very familiar with how rotten life can be, even with medical help. In fact my condition grew worse on my mission, and it was then that I agreed to be placed on even harsher meds, following the council of someone I trusted because he was a priesthood leader and a doctor. Poor choice.
A little over a year ago the Lord made it very clear to me that I needed to move to medical cannabis if I was to save my life. I did. It has been a sacred journey, but not one that was easy on myself or my wife. Our families cannot or will not understand, and yet... And yet we are the happiest we have ever been as a couple. I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been. I live a happy, active, emotionally stable life. I went from 265 pounds and a 42 waist to 205 and a 26 waist, and this without working out, just by living my life. (I am a tall guy). I have not had a seizure since I made the change, more exactly, I have not been sick at all since I started medical cannabis. I am not saying that cannabis is a magic cure all. When used as the Lord has taught me (and no, it is not as simple as rolling a joint), it has worked exactly as he told me it would: it fixes my seizures, and I don't get high. In fact, cannabis is only one part of a mixture of herbs I smoke (yes... gasp Smoke).
I have made friends that use cannabis to treat cancer pains, depression, anxiety, seizures, glaucoma and skin conditions. The list is pretty incredible, and the stories are very similar. The precepts of men, and the pills they prescribed, rarely improved life and usually complicated it (side effects....ugh). Similarly, I have met people that use the medical programs to gain access to cannabis for non-medical use. Then again, I have met the same kind of people using prescriptions for the same reason: drugs with a non-medical purpose.
While I agree with you that regulation of substances that can be abused is important. I am asking you to rethink your position. Maybe Satan has fought hard to hide Cannabis as an evil drug when the truth might be it is a beautiful herb prepared by the Lord. Maybe less hate and more understanding.
The Word of Wisdom has been ingrained on my soul, I love and follow it exactly; all of it. Exactly.
My last MRI showed only one cyst remaining.
Now this one is what I've been looking for. Would be giving you credits on the way how you deliver this great insight. Such an interesting story. party powder
If you read more carefully, I have no problem with medical cannibis use.
My post is focused on recreational smoking cannibis Distrubution.
Please do not confuse the issues.
The problem with prohibition is that it leads to black market crime, gang activity, organized crime, etc. Our prisons are filled with nonviolent drug offenders.
I am an active member of the Latter Day Saint church, also known as the Mormons.
I know that the church is true, so as our prophets and every piece of doctrine they teach us. All those counsels inspired by the Holy Ghost came from our God, Our heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, our God and founder.
It is my utmost confession that I use Marijuana. I it helped me in preventing and cure for cold and asthma. It also helped me in my insomnia problem at anxiety issues.It also helped me boost my appetite because of my eating disorder habits because of low appetite.
I know there are facts showing up telling the world the benefits of Marijuana. Looking at the negative effects of it in fact seems harmless. I also researched why Marijuana was turned illegal, and how these law makers made fabricated stories making Marijuana looks bad and dangerous.
I also know that recent research Tells that Marijuana can cure dangerous diseases.
But there's a big "BUT". I mean although I know now the effectiveness of using medical Marijuana, because I tried it myself, and in fact I like and love it a lot. Because I can't deny the truth that being "high" is part of the process while doing the medication.
The "BIG BUT" here is this: It is against the law of the land, even not to mention they were ONLY (emphasizing) made by men. In relation to our doctrine, we must obey the law of the land. I also know that we have prophets who guided us in the past and in these present times of which counsels from them came directly from our Heavenly Father.
These "BIG BUT(S)" cannot just be overlooked and ignored. Me and other Marijuana users absolutely are having an issue with the Lord pertaining to these "BUT(S)" I mentioned earlier.
Every time I pray, every time I search for an answer, there's a clean thought telling me that I am committing a sin every time I smoke weed.
We cannot argue with the Lord...Even Marijuana holds sweet and promising facts, still we cannot argue with the Lord.
For someone like me and any other else who knew and tried the effectiveness of Marijuana, still a clean thought goes in my heart and soul that I'm committing a sin.
My testimony is put to its ultimate test because this is a test of my obedience. It is really bizarre because the world holds certain facts that validates the justification of Marijuana, in which these justifications applies a lot to me and other Marijuana users.
But, again I'll say But. We cannot argue with the Lord. I wish I am wrong, BUT the Lord can never be wrong. Humbly I speak, because a human being like me cannot argue with the Lord.
There were many examples in the scriptures who tried to argue with the Lord, in which their justification seems reasonably valid, but in the end the Lord remained supreme in his counsels and direction. Even I myself is guilty of these worldly justifications.
I do not condemn my fellow Marijuana users. It is not in my position to make a final judgement towards others. I have no power to read the real intent of any man's heart.
To end up this spiritual issue of mine towards our Heavenly Father, regardless of how true and factual the world's justification towards Marijuana, Let us put our trust in the Lord. We have our living prophet that we must sustain and support. Honestly I am confused, I just hope someday I'll understand why, but the Lord know everything and He is perfect. His mind and understanding is beyond comparison to our thinking. In humility I speak,I am guilty of sin every time I smoke weed.
"There is nothing Satan wants more than to see Cannabis use for the purposes of getting "High" legalized in America."
If you personally don't like something like marijuana then it's "Satan wants you to use it" and if it is something you personally agree with then "God loves it when you do such and such" My mother on her death bed had to get marinol to take away the severe nausea that was cause by the hospital giving her something they shouldn't have to try to "help" her. After convincing the doctor to prescribe it, I had to drive to Arizona to get the prescription because Utah doesn't like "marijuana" products I guess and doesn't stock it, even though it is legal both federally and by the state of Utah.. I asked the bishop if my mother was going to lose her temple recommend because she was taking "pot" and he sheepishly shook his head no. If he would have said yes... I would have kicked him in his rear and handed in my resignation from the church. I have really had enough with the ignorance about medicinal marijuana in the LDS community... My mother was like that too when I was a teen and smoking pot... but as she was writhing in excruciating nausea (almost falling out of the hospital bed at times) she kept calling my name and saying "where's my pot.. please get me my pot please... hurry pleeeease" and after getting it she died peacefully after telling a few stories with a little humor.. all the nay-sayers ought to be horse whipped.. .nuff said.
If you use it for medical purposes under legal channels then you are following the spirit and the letter of the law. If you use it recreationally, illegally or legally, you are not. If you use it to treat a medical condition, and also embrace the recreational aspects, then you are following the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. The alcohol/prohibition analogy was the best point made in this discussion. While most LDS people no longer live primarily in Utah, what will the Mormon vote be? What is your vote? Are you following The Prophet or some other voice? I know it's complicated because, unlike alchohol, there are many natural medicinal benefits. But; the solution is simple, follow the Prophet. We learned this during prohibition. (I think it is safe to say that the medicinal aspects have found thier way, and will continue to find thier way into the pharmacology of this nation without full recreational legalization.)
I can't seem to find anywhere the prophet's view on this as i have been struggling witht he decision whether or not to use medical marijuana which is legal in our state, versus the many prescription drugs that I have been prescribed. I have seen many views but I can not find what the prophet's view is.
That is why we have modern prophets. 1 Cor 5:11 says that "drunkeness" is criteria for worthiness. Mind-altering substances limits our ability to hear and feel the Spirit. If someone needs a nausea or appetite med, than use a med that does that with minimal mind-altering sde-effects.
Hello again, I called my Bishop to try and find out what the Prophet's view on this is or if he has made any statements on it and also to counsel with the bishop. He said he would have to investigate and see what he could find out about the subject of medical marijuana as it is legal in our state. Does anyone know what the prophet's view has been on this subject. I truly am struggling with this and do not want to start something I shouldn't. At the same time I am tired of all the prescriptions my doctor keeps throwing at me. I have fasted and prayed and I do not seem to get a clear answer, and I do not want to mistake that as satan can make us believe that something is ok because it is "legal". Drinking is legal, but we know that it is not right with Heavenly Father. But this medical marijuana perspective is quite confusing..
Follow the direction of your bishop, but I would stay as far away from it as possible. Pot affects motivation, IQ and in its stronger THC content is causing psychosis. There are better medical alternatives. Dont be fooled. if you have a chronic inflammatory disease, take 1/2 tsp epsom salt daily or even twice, avoid tylenol and Sodium Benzoate preservative (soda, sauces, dressings, fast food sauces, etc)
My husband suffers from PTSD. I have come to accept cannabis as the most effective medicinal treatment for my husband's illness. It helps him to relax, eat normally, and helps him to be himself. I prayed long and hard and studied every thing i could find about marijuana (the pros and the cons) to know for myself what was right. And although I hate the thought of using it in a state where it is illegal, and we have been working on moving to where it is legal, but financially, we haven't been able to. I feel the lord has a reason for keeping us where we are. But I don't understand why. I feel the same way "anonymous". I am torn between 2 worlds. I want to be 100% obedient to laws, but my husband needs cannabis in order to function.
"The LORD admonishes in His "Word of Wisdom" "All seedbearing herbs for theuseof man to be used with prudence and understanding." (D&C89). Yes, with prudence and understanding, This doesn mean that every plant or herb or weed is meant to be smoked.
if alkaloids in this plant help wtih appetite, then isolate those specific alkaloids, and leave out the psychogenic ones. Smoking jimsom weed or fox glove will kill you."
This Person (as many LDS Church Officials are) sadly enough is showing that he is without understanding of the Seed Bearing Plant that is more properly referred to as: Cannabis. There is more than one was to Consume Cannabis... Cannabis Oil can be used Extenally as well as injested Orally, The Green Leaves of the Plant are very edible as are the Hemp Seeds and the Hemp Milk Derived from Plant. The Flowers can also be injested through the mouth of a Human being or any other kind of person or being for that matter!!!
No one is against the legit medicinal use of THC. But you dont need to smoke it. You could get merinol
Merinol isn't as effective as having all the cannabinoids together. Holistically speaking. Merinol can cause severe nausea. The better way to get all the benefits of cannabis without smoking is to vape it.
Hi David,
First off, I came across your site and wanted to say thanks for providing a great health resource to the community.
I thought you might find this marijuana infographic interesting, as it allows readers to pick the side effect they want to learn more about: http://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/marijuana/effects-on-body
Naturally, I’d be delighted if you share this embeddable graphic on http://ldsdoctrine.blogspot.com/2012/01/legalization-of-marijuana.html , and/or share it with your followers on social. Either way, keep up the great work David!
All the best,
Nicole Lascurain | Assistant Marketing Manager
p: 415-281-3100 | e: nicole.lascurain@healthline.com
Healthline
660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.healthline.com | @Healthline
I hate to be a negative Nancy, but this is absurd..... I have so much I would like to say, but really, I want to address those saying "use a different medicine" "use merinol"- that's insane!
Why should one use something created in a lab, with the main purpose of bringing even MORE money to Big Pharma? ESPECIALLY when one can GROW IT IN HIS YARD?!?!? Absolute insanity! "The love of money is the root of evil". If Pharma isn't after money, then I live on the moon!
What ever happened to the idea of "teach them correct principles and they govern themselves"? If the leaders of the LDS Church are teaching the spiritual roots of principles in the Word of Wisdom, it seems members of the church need to decide for themselves, individually, how that applies to their lives and citizenship wherever they live. Why must we all think in lock-step? In my case I believe the spiritual and psychological damage from drugs, even legal ones, can be devastating, and must be managed carefully by each person in each case. On the other hand, the implications of using the force of law to prohibit personal choices in this regard has historically had unintended, negative consequences, mostly in the form of criminal black markets that are created to fill the demand. As an LDS member and citizen of the USA, I want to eradicate such markets and their profiteers - the "Gadianton" bands that run the drug cartels. That is also a principle to consider. We must not check our individual agency at the chapel door. I support and sustain the principles taught by the prophets of God. I just don't think that means every LDS member has to react, en mass, in the exact same way as to how such principles must be applied. There are many things to consider, and in the end we must be able to account to the Lord for our choices, and to bear the consequences.
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