Dear Kids,
What I would tell you about our good friend Emerson is that–from the moment I first met him in that Antiques mall in Chandler–he has brought me immeasurable joy. He greets me each morning with a calming presence that brings a smile to my heart. In short, I love him.
And when he told me that he was a gentleman deer–an author–thoughtful and poetic, I knew I needed to outfit him accordingly. I never even questioned his need for a pipe. He told me it helps him think and I was happy to oblige.
So it surprised me (but not really) when–upon meeting Emerson–one of our extended family members lost her ever living mind over the fact that I would allow our good pal Emerson to have a pipe, IN OUR HOUSE! (emphasis added to illustrate how truly distraught she was)
She then asked, “What would your home teacher say?”
home-teacher: noun
a person who visits your home once a month to talk about Jesus, light, love and happiness (and sports, jobs, life etc.) while gifting you, if you are lucky, with fresh baked goods or other delicious treats.
And I had to bite my tongue, though you may have heard me mumble a few words under my breath. Because her comment took me back to a time when I was young. A time when a good friend of mine did something that her mother deemed unacceptable, leading her to lose her ever living mind and say, “What will the people at church think?” A statement that confused me then and still does today because I’ve always believed that church is a place where we go to please God, to strengthen our connection to Him. And that we should make our choices based on what we believe will make Him happy. And to me, what my friend had chosen to do didn’t really seem like something that would make God unhappy.
And as for Emerson’s pipe? Well, I don’t believe that would make God unhappy either. Because I believe that God has a twinkle in His eye and that He likes it when his children are cleaver and creative. I know He does. And I know He feels my gratitude for His bounteous gifts. And I know that, even with Emerson’s need for a pipe, He knows I am crazy in love with His Word of Wisdom.
“The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. On February 27, 1833, as recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed which foods are good for us to eat and which substances are not good for the human body.”
The Word of Wisdom is such a great gift and I’m positive that it’s a true, modern revelation given from God because it’s full of sound advice and because, 1833? Really? Who knew about harmful substances in 1833? The Lord. The creator of our bodies. That’s who.
And you know I’m in love with the idea of having a healthy body. You’ve seen me work toward that goal your entire lives. So I choose to live the Word of Wisdom. I live it because it’s an awesome blueprint on how to make that goal come true. I live it because it makes me happy.
But…
I don’t believe this makes me a better person than those who choose a different way. I believe that we are all children of God and that God’s love is unconditional. There is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from it. But good health? Well, that’s something we have to work for. So I’ll continue working. I’ll try my best to fuel my body with God’s pure and glorious creations while recognizing that others are also trying to live the best lives they can, the best way they know how. It’s all any of us can do.
And I think it’s safe to say that I’ll never smoke a pipe, even though Emerson does, because I know it’s not good for my body–and also because my fifth grade teacher smoked a pipe and his breath… Wow! And I hope that you will choose to refrain from pipe smoking as well, even though our distraught family member assured me that Emerson’s presence in our home will undoubtedly lead you (and if not you than certainly your children) to this undesirable end.
And please, do be patient with our good friend Emerson. Because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I sure have, that he has never even lit his pipe in the house. Not even once. Which shows me that he’s trying his best too. The dear deer.