I just wanted to share some of my thoughts.  When I was younger and growing up I was blessed to be born into a strong family that had strong family values and that taught me about the word of wisdom from an early age.  I was blessed so much by loving parents and by good examples all around me.   When I married I was suddenly far away from my immediate family and I was around people who smoked more and it was a different atmosphere and life for me.  I have had to learn to deal with it and to be tolerant of others who choose to smoke. It's especially  hard when my mother-in-law took care of my children when they were little and I worried about them being around cigarette smoke, especially my son that had asthma. My mother-in-law respected me and didn't really smoke around me because she knew I didn't care for it.  I could still smell it in her house and clothes and in her car.  I have had to borrow her car recently and I have trouble breathing in her car because of the strong smell of cigarette smoke.  It is something that is hard for me but I know that other people have their free agency but it does affect other people around them.

I wanted to share some scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants that goes along with this topic.  Section 89 starting with verse 8: And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgement and skill.
I also want to share verse 18-21 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.  And I, the Lord give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

It's important, if you read this blog, to start at the beginning with number 1.  I will also post once in a while as time goes by.

So much heartache and sadness in cigarette smoking. I see how powerful the addiction can be in others and how it is so difficult for some to give it up.  I have seen people lose their lives over smoking and one lady was smoking through a tracheotomy on my mission and it was very sad to watch. If I can help just one person through this blog It will be definitely worth it!

I also want to mention how I took a class after my mission at Utah Valley State College human anatomy and physiology  and how they had live cadavers and I will always remember how much I learned from taking this class and how miraculous the human body is.  I will never forget the healthy lung and the smokers lung they showed the class and the difference in the appearance of both, the healthy lung was pink looking and the smokers lung was like black tar.

On my mission I was able to help two people go through this program and stop smoking.  One of the ladies wanted to get pregnant but she wasn't able to get pregnant until after she stopped smoking and living a healthier life style. I know this program works and the Lord is there for us and wants us to be free from all forms of addictions and problems in our life. I'm so thankful for this program and that it was able to help people become smoke free and also saves them a lot of money.

9. Stay away from other smokers at this time if possible and away from anything that triggers a need for a cigarette. Stay busy and do fun things, if you are working and have a craving keep gum with you and other mints to put in your mouth.

10.  Know the Lord is there and will always give you strength if you turn to him and pray.  If you give in and smoke a cigarette you will need to start over with another contract form.

11. At the end of the two weeks a big party should be planned for the person who did what the contract said to do.  Invite friends and family to celebrate with you but remember: No Smoking Allowed. 

12.  It takes about two weeks for the body to make some kind of recovery from the cravings of cigarettes and make sure you take a lot of vitamin C into the body that will help the body recover.

13.  After the two weeks are over continue with this plan to stop smoking and remember to try to stay away from influences that will make you go back to smoking.  Keep ash-trays and all forms of triggers out of the home, especially the smell of smoke so make sure you clean your home really good.