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Show EDITORIAL PAGE The Pill Is Mo Panacea let the pill mislead you. It is not from side effects. It is not It will not relieve you of your married responsibilities, and whether you are married or not, it will not keep you free from Dont the blemish of unrighteousness. Many doctors have told their patients that the till is harmless and will satisfy their supposed needs. As a matter of fact, this type of medication, like many others, is still experimental, even after several years of use. Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to fully demonstrate its potential in side effects. About nine years have elapsed since the pill was placed on the market and a great many very serious side effects are now beginning to appear, in both the United States and Great Britain. One of of our best known American newspaper columnists recently wrote: The Food and Drug Administration is unable to say how many adverse reactions the pill has caused during this period, nor how many deaths have been assoicated with its use. THE MATTER is so serious that two Congressional committees have been quietly investigating reports that at least ten per cent of all adverse reaction reports are d of the recent refatalities and that involved death. But one on pill specific ports no one can say with any certainty how high the death rate really is. Since October 1968 there are approximately 9,000 adverse reports covering the years 1965 and 1966 which have yet to be included in the overall total. an estimated 7,000,000 Meanwhile, American woman are using the pill. So serious are the side effects reported by the British in April of last year that the Food and Drug Administration ordered American manufacturers to containers, warning that English studies estimate there is a increase in mortality and morto thromboembolic (clotting in due bidity the blood vessels) diseases in women taking oral contraceptives. . . . Statistical valuation indicated that the differences observed be- tween users and nonusers are highly significant. Furthermore, the British admitted their d the true studies very likely situation by about forty percent. BESIDES DEATH and permanent disablement, the pill can cause a number of side effects ranging from rashes, headaches, darkening skin, hair loss, and breast enlargement, to those requiring hospitalization such as blood clots in the lungs or brain, arteriosclerosis, and cancer. FDA has now acknowledged to inter one-thir- re-lab- el under-reporte- ested Congressmen that between January 1966 and December t, 1968, it had found reports of 1,023 sericus and fatal cases, of which 115 involved death and 908 were serious. Blood-clot- s accounted for 84 of the deaths and 459 of the serious reactions, among which were listed cancer and hepatitis. (Drew Pearson) America sends literally millions of these d countries where pills to the die of starvation and where the thousands birth rate is zooming to new highs. Will the side effects be any different in India, for example, than in America or Britain? Are not as many Indian women likely to die from its effects as women in any other country? under-privilege- WHEN WILL we be willing to fully research the agricultural possibilities in . these countries as a means of staving off starvation rather than being stampeded into the philosophy that contraception is the best answer? Where proper studies have been made in countries with low agricultural production, the clear answer has been developed. Food can be raised in adequate quantities. The Lord himself said that in the earth there is plenty and to spare. Contraception is not the answer. When the Rockefeller Foundation went into Mexico with its staff of agricultural experts and researched the problem, they increased food production in their experimental area by ten fold. When another group of scientists from America went to the Punjab area of India and worked for five years on a similar problem, they increased the production of certain foods by ten fold and of others by fifteen fold. Why not adopt these measures generally? Add to this increased production the food that is freely sent by America and Canada to the under - privileged countries, and permit these supplies to flow freely to the needy and starvation will begin to disappear. WHEN THE LORD created the earth, He made it to sustain the life which He placed upon it. When He commanded human beings to multiply and replenish the earth, He was wise enough to make certain of their complete sustenance. He was kind. He would not set up starvation conditions for his children. He teaches the abundant life and promises us that we may have it even more, abundantly if we will but serve Him. Why do so many ignore Him? Using dangerous contraceptives to stave off starvation is about as wise as teaching children how to drink as a means of preventing them from becoming alcoholics. Proper observance of Gods laws would solve both problems. under-privilege- Home Teachers Inspire Mart aiarpte t. c fri til Mnu fey BMar at tha animal DciM Romnay Itto tap, it ins.) The duty perform the service of a home teacher is inherent in the acceptance of ordination to the Melchizedek priesthood and to tie office of Priest and Teach-e- r to the Aaronic Priesthood. I cannot see how a priesthood SKlily 14 CHURCH , bearer can willfully refuse to do home teaching without violating the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Home teaching Is one of the services by which priesthood bearers magnifying their calling and qualify for the great promise that . . . whoso is faithful unto WEEK ENDING APRIL 19, 1969 BOOK OF MORMON PROFILES d the . . . mignifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies, and bearers magnify their calling and qualify for the great promise that become members of the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. (D.&C. 84:33 34) Zoram: Laban's Servant The history of Zoram, the servant of Laban, Is sparse, but of special interest because it adds Important details to the history of Father Lehis little band of pilgrims. Nephi and his three brothers returned to Jerusalem with a specific assignment from their father to obtain the Brass Plates from Laban records all Important to Lehi because they contained an official scripture of the House of Israel. Nephi acquired the precious records by deceiving 7oram. Dressed in the slain Labans armor, Nephi went to the dead mans residence and In the voice of Laban, ordered Zoram to bring the Brass Plates. It being night, Zoram thought it was his master, and having the keys, opened the treasury. Nephi then ordered Zoram to follow him to my elder brethren, and the servant, thinking this meant the elders and priests of the Jews, obeyed. However, Nephi meant his own brothers secretly waiting outside the walls of the city. When the two men arrived at the hiding place, Nephis brothers were frightened, believing it was Laban. They feared their brother had been killed, that Laban was coming now to slay them, and they fled. The brothers stopped their flight, however, when Nephi called out to them in his own voice. Now it was Zorams turn to be alarmed because he thought he had been following his master. Zoram attempted to flee, but Nephi seized him and quickiy explained his mission and the necessity for possessing the records. Zoram was promised freedom and safety if he would swear to remain with Nephi and his brothers. This Zoram promised with an oath, and Nephi writes that his fears did cease concerning him. g was a practice steeped in tradition and honor. An oath once sincerely given was a firm bond of trust. Both Zoram and Nephi understood this and thereafter had full faith in each other. Accompanying Nepid into the wilderness to the camp of Lehi, Zoram became a fully accepted member, of the group. He married the eldest daughter of Shortly before his death, Lehi gave Zoram a fathers blessing in the same manner he blessed his Own sons, promising: . . . and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever. Wherefore, because thou hast been faithful thy seed shall be blessed with his seed, that they dwell in prosperity long upon the face of this land. . . . The name Zoram, from Hebrew, takes its root in Zur, meaning rock, and symbolizes stability, reliability and firmness. Of the remainder of Zorams life the record is blank. However, several important men in later history, Amalichiah and Ammaron for two, ar Identified as his descendants. Oath-makin- Ish-ma- el. Ne-phi- te IPuitratlon adapted from "Tha Bonk of Mormon Itorv, (C) Oawrat Book Co Ronald Crotby, arttat |