Salt Used as an important preservative of food in the ancient world; it was considered essential for life. Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt, Gen. 19:26. Ye are the salt of the earth, Matt. 5:13 (Luke 14:34; 3 Ne. 12:13). The Lord’s covenant people are accounted as the salt of the earth, D&C 101:39–40. If the Saints are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, D&C 103:9–10.