It is reported to have appeared in The Christian Recorder of March 1862, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where it is presented as an "old adage" in this form: “Sticks and stones will break my bones But words will never harm me.” No one has a clue why The Christian Recorder published this Nursery rhyme back in 1862. Nor does anyone know where the nursery rhyme originated. But it doesn’t require a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon to understand that the nursery rhyme is far from true. It’s true that sticks and stones could be used to break someone’s bones, however words have the power to build people up or tear them down.  Spoken words can create great joy, happiness, peace, confidence and assurance for others—or they can absolutely destroy all possibility of those things in a matter of moments. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4: 29-32