Unnamed Saint Receives Wisdom Regarding the Word of Wisdom Through a Dream

An unnamed Saint, pondering the Word of Wisdom and why he should observe it at that particular time, experienced a dream. In the dream, he was taken to a high hill and shown the earth, where he saw the destroyer (cholera) working among those sitting at a table with luxuries, tea, and coffee. His companion pointed out that the cholera victims were specifically those using these items. The dream served to confirm that those who keep the Word of Wisdom shall be passed over by the destroying pestilence.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I went to bed, still burdened with the question, not being able to solve it; when sleep came over me, and I dreamed that I was taken to a high hill, where I could see all the earth before me. I saw the people of the earth, and the destroyer was abroad in the land, and he was doing his work. I saw a large table spread with all the luxuries of the world, and many people were sitting around it, and they were partaking of tea, coffee, and other things. The cry of 'the cholera!' was immediately heard throughout the room; soon after, I heard another, then another, and I beheld that the destroyer was doing his work. We drew nigh to the table where they had sat; I was struck dumb when my companion pointed to the tea and coffee cups, opposite where these men had sat, and he said,—'your question is answered.' I looked, and I saw that those who had partaken of these things were the ones who were taken by the destroyer, while those who had not were passed by. With this I awoke, and I have had no more trouble about tea, coffee, tobacco, or anything of that nature.