22: Word of Wisdom: A Principle with Promise

Reading Assignment for Sunday, June 16, 2013

Class member Study Guide:  Lesson 22

Doctrine and Covenants 89

Our Heritage:  Pages 25-26/Heading: School of the Prophets for Background to Section 89

Doctrine & Covenants 89: 5-9

Doctrine & Covenants 88:124

Daniel 1:8

1 Corinthian 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Doctrine & Covenants 59:17-20

THE WORD OF WISDOM

Nearly one-third of the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received between August 1831 and April 1834.  The revelations opened new vistas of gospel understanding and provided the Saints with valuable guidelines for their daily conduct (Our Heritage).

In December of 1832, the prophet received instructions to form The School of the Prophets.  The Word of Wisdom--Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants--came in regards to the prophets concerns about the unhealthy environment in the meeting rooms of this school.

In a broader context this revelation assisted the early leaders of the church to grow spiritually through obeying the temporal "Word of Wisdom."

While given initially to be sent by way of instruction "not by commandment or constraint" (D & C 89:2), 18 years after its receipt "Brigham Young arose in a general conference and proposed that all Saints formally covenant to abstain from tea, coffee, tobacco, whiskey, an all things mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. The motion was accepted unanimously and became binding as a commandment for all Church members thereafter."

Newell K. Whitney Store. The School of the Prophets began to meet at in this room at the store. The Word of Wisdom was received by revelation in the winter of 1833--February 27.

 

 The School of the Prophets was conducted in this room above the store.

 

Whitney's store was restored to its 1830's appearance.

WORD OF WISDOM: SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL STEWARDSHIP & PROTECTION

Doctrine & Covenants 89:4

1 Corinthian 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

COUNSEL ABOUT HARM TO THE BODY AND THEREFORE THE SPIRIT

Doctrine & Covenants 89:5-9

Emphasize that 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).

WAYS TO PROTECT THE BODY THEREBY NURTURING THE SPIRIT

Doctrine & Covenants 89:10-17

Doctrine & Covenants 88:124 

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 BLESSING--PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

Doctrine & Covenants 89: 18-21   

Hebrews 12:1-3

Offers Economic Solutions

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).

Offers Social Stability 

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.) 

Helps Missionaries 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.”

  
ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

“The temporal salvation of the children of men is a most important thing, but sadly neglected by many religious teachers. The truth is that the spiritual salvation is dependent upon the temporal far more than most men realize. The line of demarcation between the temporal, or physical, and the spiritual, cannot be definitely seen. The Lord has said that he has not given a temporal commandment at any time. To men some of these commandments may be temporal, but they are spiritual to the Lord because they all have a bearing on the spiritual or eternal welfare of mankind.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:383.)

Some of the early Brethren explained what was meant by the phrase "hot drinks."

 Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet, wrote: 

“And again, ‘hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;’ there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.” (“The Word of Wisdom,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, p. 800.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said:

 “I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said ‘hot drinks’ in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. …

“Tea and coffee … are what the Lord meant when He said ‘hot drinks.’” (In Joel H. Johnson, Voice from the Mountains [Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881], p. 12.)

An official statement by the Church’s leaders reads:

 “With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.” (Priesthood Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 4.)

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