A Word of Wisdom

I have been struggling with some health issues in recent years and ever since my c-section last year these issues have become more insistent. Tonight I decided to pray about what to do and one of the things I was instructed to do was to study "The Word of Wisdom," found in Doctrine & Covenants, section 89. I'm going to share most of the section with my thoughts, some of which are commonly understood within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, some of which are not.

Introduction

A word of wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests..., and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

i.e. Suggestion and counsel for everyone

To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

i.e. This counsel is given because it is true and wise and because it will help everyone take care of their bodies

Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. 

i.e. This counsel is based on true principles; it's not just a 'program'—and as such there are promises (i.e. results) you can expect. This is not advanced nor complex, but rather very simple so that all can follow it. 

Commonly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers the Word of Wisdom to be something that will keep you in or out of the temple or receiving other ordinances (such as baptism). However, this is not what the introduction states ("not by commandment or constraint"), As we go on you will see that only a few parts of this health code are actually concerns for being physically worthy of receiving ordinances, and those are the elements most often referred to as "the Word of Wisdom." The rest of the revelation (which is most of it!) truly is left to all who read it to live it as they will. It is not a constraint, just wise advice, and is (sadly) often neglected by members of the church.

Strong & Hot Drinks, Tobacco

Here is the aforementioned section that is required in order to receive ordinances:

Inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father... and, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. And, again, hot drinks are not for the body or the belly. 

"Strong drinks" is commonly interpreted to mean alcohol, and even (by some) caffeinated drinks. The former will put your temple recommend at risk. The latter, no one even asks about and is sometimes hotly debated, but according to the introduction it doesn't need to be "required" even if it's a correct interpretation. I would argue that caffeinated drinks fall into the strong drinks category. It's pretty well accepted that they are not good for you, so wisdom would suggest not partaking, but again, this is not a commandment. "Hot drinks" is commonly interpreted to mean coffee and tea. Herbal teas will not keep you from receiving ordinances, black tea & coffee will. (I'm not sure about green & white teas, so I avoid them.) Tobacco, I think, is pretty well understood by now, so I won't bother to comment on that.

Herbs, Fruit, and Grain

All wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. 

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts to be the staff of life. 

All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground

Takeaways: try to eat seasonal produce and eat grains (and, I would argue, whole grains!). It also seems to me that a Paleo (meat and produce diet) should not be widely adopted. I think that there will be exceptions to many of the 'good' things because of allergies, health considerations, etc. but none of these should be widely encouraged or adopted.

Meat and Poultry

Ah, this one is the most controversial, I think. Let's jump in, shall we?

Yea, flesh also of beats and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or of famine.

And these [the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth] hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

Wow. I have read this probably a hundred times but until earlier this year I hadn't really understood it. I now interpret this such that unless there is a famine or other need (due to winter, war, illness, etc.) meat and poultry are not to be eaten. It is interesting to note, however, that there is no mention of fish. (This is where my dad likes to point out that Christ was a fisherman.) Vegetarians or vegans are usually considered "counter-culture" in the church, but it seems to me that their dietary code is pretty consistent with the counsel given here.

A Promise

And, finally, the promise:

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

 Inestimable blessings, to be sure. I want these!

Processed Foods and Refined Flour and Sugar

What about processed foods and refined flours and sugars? There is no counsel about these and yet these are today's scapegoats and culprits. Is there any wisdom we can glean from this section? I think so.

It seems to me that focusing on whole foods is implied. God does not counsel against processed foods, but nor does he counsel for it.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is that (aside from the alcohol, tobacco, coffee, & tea), all of this is simply a gift—optional—and not given as a burden or constraint. It is simply a gift to give us the will of God and the order / principles of truth. If we follow these principles, we will receive great health, wisdom, and have our lives preserved. Seems like it might be worth doing some of the optional "extra credit" to get those blessings!

I don't live these principles perfectly, but I strive to and I do believe that this counsel is from God and will lead to better health and happiness.