Well over 150 years ago the Lord told about the dangers of alcohol and other harmful substances.

In 1833, just three years after the organization of the Church, He stated, "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." (Doctrine and Covenants 89:4.)

Those evils and designs of conspiring men have led to incalculable misery and death.

How totally without shame or conscience is the prince of evil, Satan. He is "the father of all lies." His goal is "to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will. . . ." (Moses 4:4.)

Unfortunately, Satan has found numerous people to do his bidding, people who sell alcohol as something that is desirous as opposed to what it really is, a destroyer of both body and spirit.

The advertisements show handsome men and beautiful women partaking of various alcoholic beverages in picturesque settings. The thrust of the message is: "Drink this and you to can have joy and be like these people."

That, of course, is pure fantasy. It's fiction. What is reality is what advertisers never show. They don't show the people who have been killed by drunken drivers or those who have been maimed for life. The deaths and heartaches caused by drunken drivers were detailed recently in a chilling five-part series in the Deseret News. (That series is available on the Deseret News web site — http://www.deseretnews.com — under the heading "DUI Utah.")

Advertisements also don't show how drinking has resulted in loss of work and the breaking up of families. They don't show the downtrodden soul without a home sitting in an alleyway drinking whiskey. And they surely don't show the scars that children carry for life due to alcoholism in the home, scars that may carry over for generations.

Alcohol is a factor in half the traffic deaths in the United States. In 1987 a somber milestone related to alcohol consumption was reached: More Americans had been killed from alcohol-related accidents (1,350,000) than had been killed in all the wars America had ever fought (1,156,000). The number of deaths since then due to alcohol, of course, has increased substantially.

Directed to the youth, the following counsel, which has been endorsed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, is beneficial to all, regardless of age:

"The Lord has commanded that you keep your body, mind and spirit healthy. The Apostle Paul said: 'Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.' (1 Corinthians 3:16-17.)

"Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit. Even those who are challenged by some physical limitations will be physically and spiritually benefited by observing proper health habits.

"Hard drugs, wrongful use of prescription drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco products — such as cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco — destroy your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Tobacco can enslave you, weaken your lungs, and shorten your life.

"Any form of alcohol, including beer, is harmful to your spirit and your body. Drinking will dull your conscience, is expensive, and could lead to alcoholism, which is self-destructive, dangerous and deadly.

"When you observe the Word of Wisdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 89) and other good health practices, you remain free and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of an undefiled body, an alert mind, and the ability to receive help and support from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost." ("For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet, pp. 12-13.)

The best time to make lifelong decisions to avoid alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances is during youth. Putting on the whole armor of God as a youth leads to happiness and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

But whatever age, decide now that alcohol and other harmful substances will never be your companions. Their byproducts are misery and, in some cases, death.

Obeying the Word of Wisdom not only blesses people physically but spiritually as well and prepares the body to be a temple, where the Spirit of God can dwell.