Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 29: The Lord's Law of Health
Comments and Resources The Word of Wisdom
"Stephen L.Richards once said: "Every commandment of God is spiritual in nature... The Word of Wisdom is spiritual. It is true that it enjoins the use of deleterious substances and makes provisions for the health of the body. But the largest measure of good derived from its observance is in increased faith and the development of more spiritual power and wisdom." (In Conference Report, Apr.1949, p. 141.) During the study of this topic, you will learn why the Lord gave the Word of Wisdom, what constitutes observance of it, and the blessings that the Lord has promised to the obedient. Resources:
Gospel Principles: chapter 29
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 25. Scriptures:
Mosiah 22:7-8
"7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep.
8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom." D&C 49:18-21; 89
"18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
20 But it is not given that one man shouldpossess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need." 89">D&C 89
"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1:327-329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it.This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result.The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.
1-9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10-17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18-21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings." Deuteronomy 14:3-20
"3 ¶ Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
4 These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,
5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
6 And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.
7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.
8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
9 ¶ These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:
10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
11 ¶ Of all clean birds ye shall eat.
12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
13 And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
14 And every raven after his kind,
15 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
16 The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
17 And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
18 And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
19 And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.
20 But of all clean fowls ye may eat." Proverbs 23:20-21
"20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Isaiah 5:11 "¶ Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!" Daniel 1:3-15"Daniel does not defile himself with the king's meat and wine, their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat." Topical Guide:
Body, Sanctity of
Drunkenness
Food
Health
Temperance, Temperate
Wisdom
Wine
Word of Wisdom Bible Dictionary:
Health
Kosher
Meat Guide to the Scriptures:
Word of Wisdom