Hot biscuit raised with soda or baking powder should never appear upon our tables. Such compounds are unfit to enter the stomach. Hot raised bread of any kind is difficult of digestion. Graham gems which are both wholesome and palatable may be made from the unbolted flour, mixed with pure cold water and milk. But it is difficult to teach our people simplicity. When we recommend graham gems, our friends say, "Oh, yes, we know how to make them." We are much disappointed when they appear, raised with baking powder or with sour milk and soda. These give no evidence of reform. The unbolted flour, mixed with pure soft water and milk, makes the best gems we ever tasted. If the water is hard, use more sweet milk, or add an egg to the batter. Gems should be thoroughly baked in a well-heated oven, with a steady fire. {RH, May 8, 1883 par. 5}

kland,

It is common knowledge that "hard water" has a high mineral content. That is the very definition of the term. "Soft water," by contrast, is the opposite. In nature, both forms exist. There is no need to own a distiller or water softener as the only way to find soft water.
...
I would suggest looking online for a definition of soft water

and did not mean some silly thing like "water is soft because it is a liquid."