[Footnote A: The Feeding of Animals, Jordan, p. 424.]
A thoughtful reading of the above quotation clearly shows that Joseph Smith recognized the fundamental truth of food chemistry; namely, that while all plants contain the elements necessary for animal growth, yet the proportions of these elements are so different as to make some plants better adapted than others to a certain class of animals. That the "Mormon" prophet should have enunciated this principle from twenty to thirty years in advance of the scientific world, must excite wonder in the breast of any person, be he follower or opponent of Joseph Smith.
The discussion of the important statements made in section 89 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, might be elaborated into a volume. The merest outline has been given here. The physiological teachings of the prophet concerning work, cleanliness and sleep, might also be considered with profit.
[Sidenote: Joseph Smith anticipated the world of science in the word of wisdom.]
To summarize the contents of this chapter: Joseph Smith clearly recognized and taught the physiological value of alcohol, tobacco, anticipated the tea and coffee, at a time when scientific world of science discoveries were just beginning to reveal the active principles of these commodities. The probability is that he knew nothing of what the world of science was doing in this direction, at the time the doctrine was taught. Joseph Smith clearly recognized and taught the fundamental truths of food chemistry, and the food relation of vegetable products to man, nearly a generation before scientists had arrived at the same doctrine. Whence came his knowledge?
THE DESTINY OF EARTH AND MAN.
Chapter XIV.
THE LAW OF EVOLUTION.
[Sidenote: Whence? Where?]
To every intelligence the question concerning the purpose of all things must at some time present itself. Every philosophical system has for its ultimate problem the origin and the destiny of the universe. Whence? Where?—the queries which arise before every human soul, and which have stimulated the truth-seekers of every age in their wearisome task of searching out nature's laws. Intelligent man cannot rest satisfied with the recognition of the forces at work in the universe, and the nature of their actions; he must know, also, the resultant of the interaction of the forces, or how the whole universe is affected by them; in short, man seeks the law of laws, by the operation of which, things have become what they are, and by which their destiny is controlled. This law when once discovered, is the foundation of religion as well as of science, and will explain all phenomena.