Since the 1960’s “revolution” more and more people have been seeking the freedom to use all sorts of drugs for “recreational” use. A recent article in the Reno Gazette Journal offers an array of ideas regarding the subject, but seems to point people in the direction of accepting the inevitability of allowing drugs into our society and that we should be more concerned about finding ways to tax it and regulate it to gain the most benefit from this outcome. Drugs have been around for a very long time. Before they were understood to be dangerous they were actually a major source of income in the US since way before it was technically called the United States.
But there are 2 major reasons why drugs should not be legalized and “gateway” drugs, like Marijuana should not be allowed. They have nothing to do with the political reasons postulated.
Drugs have destroyed many cultures over the centuries. Countries like China (in their case Opium), and other civilizations have lost their power through these destructive addictions. Some people believe that the Incas and the Aztecs lost their culture because of the influence of dangerous drugs and addictions. It is possible that there were many more destroyed by these substances than we really know about. Here’s why.
In the Book of Revelations in the Bible, John the Revelator sees and talks about the future and some of the things that will happen in the last days. The words are not pleasant or easy to read, but here is a short portion from Chapter 9:20-21.
“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
These are not happy things to talk about. These are not fun things to look forward to, yet they describe our future day. The word I want to focus on here is “sorceries” as it does not mean what most people think it means. This isn’t witchcraft or a scene from Harry Potter as it’s far more sinister. Richard Draper gives some valuable insight into this word.
“The Greek word he uses is pharmakeia, from which the word pharmacy is derived. Pharmakeia indicates the use of drugs, elixirs and contraceptive potions associated with the occult. When freely accepted, these narcotics addict, desensitize and deceive the nations, resulting in blindness and the inability to change. The use of drugs, simple and potent, is the same means by which the Mother of Abominations is able to deceive the nations.” (This same word is used in Revelations 18:23)
Satan has used the same methods in the past as he will use in the future to destroy the people of the world, the children of God. He has and will use drugs to blind and bind us. Once a person is caught in the snare of addictive drugs, their lives, and the lives of those who love them turn into a living hell.
A good friend of mine told me about one of his children who has suffered from addictions since he was a teenager. He is now 42 years old and even after being in prison, once released he turned right back to doing it again. Another friend has a son whose life is a complete mess because of drugs and alcohol. He has now lost his children, his home, his car, his job and now none of his friends want anything to do with him as he has worn out his welcome wherever he has gone, stealing from and abusing the relationships along the way. Both of these families are heartbroken over the loss of their sons. Both pray every day that their sons will finally hit bottom, wake up and want to change their lives.
The power of drugs is undeniable. The Lord’s Law of Health given through the Prophet Joseph Smith is in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 and gives powerful revelation regarding some basic principles of what should and should not be taken into our bodies. But more importantly than the short lists of do’s and don’ts, there is a powerful principle that reveals the second reason why we should not allow drugs to be legalized.
Here are the revealed words.
“Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation.” (D&C 89: 4)
This was given in 1833, long before the modern world of medicine and research we have today showing the dangers of these addictive substances. This was given long before billion dollar industries were created around such dependence. This was given long before governments actually would use and depend upon the money received from taxation of such compulsions.
In 1830, the Lord warned us against Evil and Conspiring Men who would want to enslave us for monetary reasons.
The principle of having evil and conspiring men (and women) who want nothing more than to enslave others for financial gain is not to be ignored. It is easy to picture a drug dealer counting his cash over the body of one passed out over his addiction. Many movies have been made over the depravity of such a condition and it seems like some of the greatest evils of mankind are associated with similar enslavement. How many immoral acts have been committed while someone has been under the influence? In 1833 there was nothing like the bombarding of advertisements that we live with on a daily basis in our society today showing beautiful people happily drinking or smoking something that can kill you. But the Lord forewarned us that this was to come and thus he gave this “Word of Wisdom” as a way for us to live and to be free from the dangers of these people and these substances.
For these two reasons it is imperative that we not allow the use and legalization of illegal drugs of any kind. The damage that they cause is astonishing. As mentioned, entire civilizations have been wiped out over the centuries because of the use of illegal drugs. It is one of Satan’s greatest tools and as prophesied in the Book of Revelations, it is something that he will use again in the latter days against God’s people.
This has nothing to do with politics. This really has nothing to do with what people think they want because there are greater forces at work here than most people realize. They are nothing more than the bread and circuses of ancient Rome. Just keep them fed, entertained and numb and they will be happy. Drugs are one of the evilest things that have ever been foisted upon mankind. When people say that they want to legalize gateway drugs like marijuana or even hemp, they do not realize what they’re asking for. There’s no such thing as a gateway drug because they all lead to the same place: addiction, enslavement and unhappiness.
God put every plant here on this earth for a purpose. There must be a reason for its existence, but there also must be some wisdom used in how and why they are manufactured and marketed. It seems obvious that nothing should be smoked especially if you’ve seen any of the lungs of those who have smoked most of their lives. They look like a pair of charcoal briquettes. My great uncle started smoking when he was 14 years old, but by the time he was 57 he suffered from emphysema and eventually had to have both of his legs amputated because they were gangrenous and black. They didn’t tell him about the surgeries because he only had a short time to live anyway. The sad thing was he kept complaining about the pain in his legs that he didn’t even have. He died a few days later.
The side effects of smoking Marijuana is worse than smoking tobacco and according to the American Cancer Society, they state that, “marijuana deposits four times as much tar into the lungs” and is a great cause of cancer in later years. It also causes a loss of brain function, reduced motor skills, reduced brain growth, lower IQ, and a host of other problems. Who in their right mind wants lungs that look like that?
This is what a smokers lung looks like compared to a healthy lung. Picture by Fehren Mason Luce.
The temporary high that someone receives from anything that is ingested, injected or smoked, will only last a short time and then it wears off. People want that same feeling again. They want that high again and it constantly takes more and more and more to keep the same feeling. A very long journey begins with the short steps and drugs like marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol and hemp which are all the first steps on a long path that has a very dark ending.
A word needs to be said regarding “legal” drugs. I am very sympathetic towards anyone who suffers from pain of any kind. Pain is not fun. It is not comfortable and we should try to do something to alleviate pain when we can. But remember the words about “evil and conspiring men” mentioned above? Do they not also exist in all businesses to a greater or lesser degree? Is there not an inherent motivation to keep someone on drugs and to keep making payments for them? When we have large percentages of people who are constantly taking “legal” drugs, that should be a red flag that something is wrong.
When we take these chemical substances into our bodies we are altering something about our physical makeup and ability to react to stimuli. This is not something to play with or even casually consider. There are many people who through the desire to alleviate pain have become addicted to powerful drugs like Prozac and Oxycontin. I had a brother-in-law who became addicted to these and eventually committed suicide because it had ruined his life.
The taking of ANY drug, legal or illegal must be carefully thought out and considered. Pain has a purpose in mortality and it is impossible to eliminate all of it. When 25% (or more!) of the population is taking anti-depressants, the only one who benefits are the companies who produce them. Something is wrong with this picture.
We need to get our society back to one that is more concerned about the personal improvement, education, the condition of others and not just feeling good for a short time that is then normally followed by a downfall, making things worse than if they had never taken something in the first place. We must do all we can to prevent any drugs from becoming legal and prevalent in our society, otherwise we’re not going to have a society that is worth anything.
Have you ever seen children being happy? They laugh, play, goof around and have fun. We are in reality trying to become like a little child again. Taking drugs of any kind will never help us reach that goal. Fortunately, because of the Lord Jesus Christ it is possible for us to obtain forgiveness for taking drugs and to be released from their bondage. There is an amazing addiction recovery program offered by the LDS church that helps people overcome any kind of addictions, including drugs, alcohol, tobacco and everything else. They have taken the 12 step program offered by Alcoholics Anonymous and combined it with the principle of the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ and helped thousands upon thousands of people overcome their addictions. It is free for anyone, whether they are a member of the church or not.
If you need help in any of these areas please contact them here and set up a time to meet with someone that can help you. Legalizing drugs, even the ones that they call gateway drugs, will not help our society but will only make things worse.
Leave A Comment