The Word of Wisdom

I've been studying the Word of Wisdom lately. I have had questions arise in my mind about drinking pop with caffeine and drinking herbal tea. In my studying (through the scriptures, articles on-line, lesson manuals, books written by apostles, LDS.org), I ran across a Sunday School lesson which helped to wrap up the findings to my study. I'm at peace now with my questions. I've also liked studying the scriptures this way; having a topic first, then searching for scriptures within that topic. I thought I'd share here, the Sunday School lesson, in part.

"Lesson 22: The Word of Wisdom: “A Principle with Promise”," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999)

D&C 89:4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of ^aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of ^bconspiring men in the last days, I have ^cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

"Heavenly Father has provided our bodies for a divine purpose. They are a necessary part of His plan for our eternal progression. Because of their importance, Heavenly Father has given us a stewardship to care for them. In our dispensation, as in ancient times, He has revealed principles of good health to help us keep our bodies clean and pure. Our obedience to these principles is an indication of our love for Him and an expression of our gratitude.

...our bodies are temples and are holy to the Lord. We should keep them pure because they are the dwelling places for our spirits, which are the offspring of God. Respecting our bodies as temples of God manifests our testimony that we are children of God. It also keeps our bodies pure so they can be dwelling places for the Holy Ghost.

...the Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom to the Prophet Joseph Smith long before the accuracy of its principles was fully documented in scientific studies. This revelation anticipated the current epidemic of substance abuse. It forewarns and protects us against specific problems of our day.

Not for the Body

...the Lord has not specified everything that we should and should not partake of. “Such revelation is unnecessary,” President Joseph Fielding Smith said. “The Word of Wisdom is a basic law. It points the way and gives us ample instruction in regard to both food and drink. … If we sincerely follow what is written with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, … we will know what is good and what is bad for the body” (“Your Question: The Word of Wisdom,” Improvement Era, Feb. 1956, 78–79).

1. a. D&C 89:5–7. (Wine or strong drink.)
2. b. D&C 89:8. (Tobacco.)
3. c. D&C 89:9. (Hot drinks, defined as tea and coffee.)

The harmful substances that are prohibited in the Word of Wisdom cause addiction. Why are addictions to these substances dangerous? How can people overcome addiction to drugs and other harmful substances?

...there is hope for people who struggle with addiction. Overcoming addiction usually requires great personal desire and discipline, together with repentance and help from the Lord. Family, friends, and Church leaders may also provide help, and in some cases professional help may be necessary.

Good for the Body

1. a. D&C 89:10. (Wholesome herbs—nourishing vegetables and plants.)
2. b. D&C 89:11. (Fruit.)
3. c. D&C 89:12; see also D&C 49:19. (Flesh of beasts and fowls.)
4. d. D&C 89:14–17. (Grains.)
5. e. D&C 88:124. (Retiring to bed early and rising early—getting adequate sleep.)

How does getting adequate sleep affect us physically and spiritually?

President Brigham Young said: “Instead of doing two days’ work in one day, wisdom would dictate to [the Saints] that if they desire long life and good health, they must, after sufficient exertion, allow the body to rest before it is entirely exhausted. When exhausted, some argue that they need stimulants. … But instead of these kind of stimulants they should recruit by rest” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 187).

Promised Blessings

1. a. D&C 89:18. (Physical health.)
2. b. D&C 89:19. (Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge.)
3. c. D&C 89:20. (The ability to run and not be weary and walk and not faint.)
4. d. D&C 89:21. (Protection from the destroying angel.)

...those who obey the Word of Wisdom will generally live longer and have a better quality of life than if they did not obey it. However, some people have severe illnesses or disabilities despite obeying the Word of Wisdom...these people can receive the spiritual blessings of obeying the Word of Wisdom even if their physical difficulties continue. Moreover, the Lord’s promises are for eternity, and those who do not receive all the promised blessings in this life will receive them hereafter.

...obeying the Word of Wisdom helps a person’s mental capacities...it helps a person receive spiritual treasures of knowledge, such as testimony, knowledge of divine truths, personal revelation, patriarchal blessings, and temple ordinances and covenants.

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “I have come to know … that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. … If someone ‘under the influence’ [of harmful substances] can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 28–29; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).

...the Lord has given us the Word of Wisdom because He loves us and is concerned for our physical and spiritual well-being...the Word of Wisdom is more than a code of physical health; it is also a key to great spiritual blessings...as we follow this counsel, the Lord will fulfill His promises to bless us physically and spiritually.

1. Obeying the Word of Wisdom would solve the world’s economic problems

• President Heber J. Grant, the seventh President of the Church, taught that “the Word of Wisdom … would solve the economic problems … of every … country, if it were obeyed by the people of the world” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1936, 48). How do you think this could be so?

  Consider the amount of land, money, and other resources that are used to produce harmful substances, advertise them, purchase them, and treat the consequences of their use. For example, in 1985 the cost in America of health care and lost productivity related to the use of tobacco was approximately $65 billion (see Ensign, Sept. 1986, 61). The costs of the production and use of alcohol are also very high. Consider the potential economic impact of using these resources for beneficial purposes rather than destructive ones.

2. Obeying the Word of Wisdom is associated with additional benefits

Social scientists have found that Church members who live the gospel, including the Word of Wisdom, are more likely than others to be happy in their marriages and satisfied with their family life. They are less likely to engage in premarital or extramarital sex, to experience depression, and to be involved in delinquent, deviant, or antisocial behaviors. (See Robert L. Millet and Noel B. Reynolds, eds., Latter-day Christianity: 10 Basic Issues [booklet, 1998], 46–47.)

3. Obeying the Word of Wisdom helps a missionary teach with power

Obeying the Word of Wisdom blessed one missionary in an unexpected way. While he was teaching a man about the Word of Wisdom, the man looked into his eyes and asked, “Do you mean to tell me that you have never tried drugs, smoked a cigarette, or tasted alcohol in any form?” The missionary looked directly at the man and spoke with a strong voice, “No, sir. I never have.”

The missionary later described the experience that followed: “A power went through me at that moment and I knew why I had always kept the Word of Wisdom. I am grateful that when I came to that moment in my life, I was able to bear a strong testimony of the importance of the Word of Wisdom because I had always been obedient to it.”

4. “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength” (D&C 10:4)

• What counsel did the Lord give Joseph Smith in D&C 10:4? (See also Mosiah 4:27.) How might this counsel apply to our health? What are the dangers of disregarding this counsel?

5. Tattoos and unusual body piercing

The Apostle Paul taught that our bodies are holy to the Lord and that they are temples in which the Holy Ghost can dwell (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Just as we should not defile our bodies by partaking of harmful substances, we should not defile their external surface with tattoos or unusual piercing. Such modifications can have negative physical, social, and spiritual consequences. (See David A. Burton, “I Have a Question,”Ensign, Feb. 1999, 52–53.)

"Lesson 22: The Word of Wisdom: “A Principle with Promise”," Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999)"