God’s Pharmacy offers prescription for good health
Dave Thomas, of Ogden, holds his copy of Dr. Chase's Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition" from 1891 at his home for a portrait in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015.
Inside pages of "Dr. Chase's Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition" from 1891 at Dave Thomas' home in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015.
Inside pages of "Dr. Chase's Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition" from 1891 at Dave Thomas' home in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015.
Dave Thomas, of Ogden, holds a photograph of his grandmother at his home for a portrait in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015.
Dave Thomas, of Ogden, holds his copy of Dr. Chase's Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition" from 1891 at his home for a portrait in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015.
Inside pages of "Dr. Chase's Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition" from 1891 at Dave Thomas' home in Ogden on Thursday, April 21, 2015. He believes the rose was pressed in the book by his grandmother, who was the original owner of the book.
OGDEN — There’s a book in Dave Thomas’ house — well, besides the Bible — that he said seems to have healing powers.
Thomas said the book, “Dr. Chase’s Receipt Book and Household Physician, Memorial Edition,” published in 1891, is healing not so much by what it says but by the fact that it’s there in his home.
Having inherited the book from his grandmother, Rachel Oakland Thompson, Thomas said the volume’s healing qualities are that it keeps him grounded to former generations.
“It just makes you feel connected to the past,” Thomas said. “Sometimes I get curious about it but I’m afraid I’ll poison myself,” he says of some herbal recipes, noting how they sometimes call for a few leaves of this and a few of that.
But the member of Elim Lutheran Church in Ogden said some of the remedies are surprisingly the same as those of today. Thomas once compared the suggestions for diarrhea and found them to be the exact ingredients found in modern diarrhea medicines.
Being used to a culture where exact doses are appreciated, Thomas would rather go for modern cures.
Some Standard-Examiner readers said there is much to God’s pharmacy, noting how the world was created with all the ingredients necessary for happiness and health.
A member of First Baptist Church of Ogden, Wayne Feller, said he’s fought off illnesses by learning that first and foremost, people need to know what their body needs.
“Many illnesses can be resolved by getting your recommended daily allowance,” Feller said. “And before reaching for the supplements, go for the natural sources first. They are usually more soluble. The good Lord gave us an amazing array of fruits and vegetables to fill our needs. Reach for them first.”
Warm milk was among the foods Thomas’ book recommended highly for both its ability to calm a person to sleep and to fight disease. These recommendations came before modern-day milk pasteurization.
“I have also given it to a dying man who had been subject to dysentery 8 months, latterly accompanied by one continual diarrhea and it acted on him like a charm,” reads a paragraph in the book. “In 2 days his diarrhea was gone, in 3 weeks he became a hale, fat man, and now nothing that may hereafter occur will ever shake his faith in hot milk.”
“I don’t know all that God would prescribe but definitely a large daily dose of humility and a touch of love that you give unconditionally,” said Ogden resident Carolyn Brierley of God’s pharmacy. Brierley is a believer not currently affiliated with a particular church.
An area Catholic, Cal L. Nguyen said prayer is a key ingredient God has in His medicine cabinet.
“God’s pharmacy would tell you that prayer works better than most medicine and that meditation through those prayers has kept me from anxiety attacks because I believe much of it is spiritual warfare, especially prayers heard through the saints,” Nguyen said.
Roy resident Rebecca Rice Fabiszak, a member of Alpine Church, said: “A personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is my prescription for perfect health!”
West Weber resident Cindy Brunson, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said God’s pharmacy is on the corner of happy and healthy.
Hooper resident, Debbie Schultz, also LDS, said God’s pharmacy includes the proper use of all His creations plus the healing power of the Atonement.
The Scriptures back up Schultz’s claim.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed,” reads Isaiah 53:5.
“Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, are the Master Healers,” she said. “I am also grateful that He has inspired man to create some awesome Band-aids when needed.”
In a General Conference Address Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the LDS Church’s Quorum of the Twelve, said poor mental health may be healed just as a sick body.
“Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed,” he said Oct. 5, 2013. “While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.”
Certified fitness professional, John Hayden of Columbus, Indiana, is saying that the nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults that are being classified as obese or overweight can overhaul their bodies through faith, exercise and community service.
Hayden founded GODFIT, a six-week training and devotional program designed to help users improve spiritual and physical fitness by giving back to others in communities throughout the country.
“Fitness in itself is an act of worship,” Hayden said. “The goal is simple, stay committed to becoming spiritually and physically well and watch God work in your life.”
GODFIT encourages church organizations, small groups and individuals to stop thinking reactively in regards to their spiritual and physical fitness. It calls on them to understand how they are called to serve and places emphasis on understanding the benefits of spiritual disciplines, healthy choices and physical fitness.
For more information about GODFIT, visit http://godfit.com/.
