poison of a serpent

D&C 84:72 The poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them.

Paul, on one occasion, shook a venomous snake from his hand, and was not injured by it (Acts 28:3-6). No less remarkable is an incident from the famous march of Zion’s Camp. The members of that organization often encountered reptiles on the prairie. One day Solomon Humphrey laid himself down for a little rest, being weary. When he awoke, he saw a rattlesnake coiled up not more than a few inches from his head. Some proposed to kill it, but Brother Humphrey said, “Let it alone; we have had a good nap together.” It was on this occasion that the Prophet Joseph instructed the brethren not to kill serpents, or any other animals, unless absolutely necessary. “Men,” said he, “must first become harmless themselves, before they can expect the brute creation to be so” (Andrew Jensen, Hist. Rec., p.835).


Doctrine and Covenants Commentary by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl. Deseret Book. 1965. p.515