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First of all, who am I to be talking about the medical industry? I'm a singer not a doctor! I can, however, give you my personal opinion on how I feel.
Regarding prescription drugs, you must realize that we can't expect the Church to come out with an official statement and say which prescription drugs are right and which are wrong. That would put them in such a liable position. We need to recognize that it all gets back down to the individuals themselves and the "Wisdom" and "Common Sense" that they exercise along with the trust they have with their doctor.
My personal opinion is that I don't think that there are too many drugs and too many prescriptions out there; it's that there are too many people abusing the drugs that are out there. We've become a society that wants a quick fix. It's a generation that wants immediate satisfaction without paying the price.
We take a pill for this and a pill for that, without even considering or looking at the physiological benefits of good old exercise and proper nutritional eating habits. I believe that if we would just use "Wisdom" in all things we would not require the amount of drugs that are prescribed.
I really don't have a problem with modern medicine. I do feel that there are so many natural remedies that do go unnoticed, but we can't turn our backs on what modern medicine has done for saving lives.
But to expect someone to tell us exactly what we should do and shouldn't do is to void ourselves of our own sensibility. In The Doctrine and Covenants there is a great scripture that refers to this: "For behold, it is not meant that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." (D&C 58:26)
With the appearance of cola drinks in the early 1900s, the Church was confronted with cold beverages containing caffeine, a harmful substance believed to make coffee and tea unacceptable. The Church has not given their official position on these drinks, but our leaders have counseled members to avoid caffeine and other addictive chemicals.
Yes, there are those non-ethical doctors out there that we need to be careful of, but there are non-ethical people all around us in every walk and talk of life, not just doctors.
As far as values that may differ between you and your doctor, this is where you need to get a comfortable relationship with your doctor so she or he will know and understand your position on certain drugs. Not being a doctor myself, but seeing many in my lifetime, I have found that there are always alternative drugs to prescribe if you are adamantly against using a certain drug.
It all gets down to using good old common sense and wisdom in all things. You also have to ask yourself, for what purpose am I taking a particular drug in the first place? Are you using the Pleasure principle vs. Pain killers to ease suffering? Do you need things to make you feel good? Are you dependent on it when you could get off of it without risking your life?
I take medication when absolutely necessary, but only when it's necessary. I don't drink coffee, but I'll drink herbal teas in moderation when my voice is tired. I stay away from caffeinated drinks but I can't say that I've never had one. I just feel that I would rather not depend on something that could become an obsession. That goes for anything that you become obsessive over and dependent on. Self-control and mastery over yourself is a virtue. How can you say you're in control over yourself when you just have to have that cup of coffee, tea, Coke, beer, cigarette, or drug? Get my point?
I hope this has been helpful.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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