Church Talks
THE “DO’S” OF THE WORD OF WISDOM
[Talk given by John E. Enslen at Wetumpka Ward Sacrament Meeting on January 27, 2019. On January 20, 2020, approximately one year after this talk was given, the first case of COVID-19 in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing. By the end of 2020, more than 20 million people had been infected, resulting in over 346,000 deaths. Globally there were almost 84 million infected persons and more than 1.8 million deaths. Obesity was linked to impaired immune functions, and obesity tripled the risk of being hospitalized due to a COVID-19 infection. Mortality rates were significantly higher among obese patients.]
I. Introduction
The Temple Recommend Question and “Do’s” Verses “Don’ts”
During your temple recommend interview, you will be asked this question: “Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?’’
What comes to your mind when you hear that question? If you are a normal, average, garden variety, run-of-the-mill member of the Church, that which comes to your mind is this: Do you abstain from tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco?
Perhaps we have not absorbed the full message of the Word of Wisdom. I wish to suggest that we need to expand our understanding. So today, I am not going to talk about the harmful, habit forming, addictive chemical substances that one can drink, chew, imbed, swallow, inhale, inject, or otherwise introduce into his body. In other words, I will not dwell on the “don’ts” which are listed in only 5 of the 21 verses contained in the Word of Wisdom. Instead of expounding upon the things that are bad for you, I desire to address the things that are good for you—the affirmative “do’s” of the Word of Wisdom.
II. The Preamble and Church History
Let’s consider the preamble. The revelation is for the benefit of all the members and is adapted to the capacity of even the very weakest members. In other words, it is a kindergarten commandment that all of us are capable of observing.
In February of 1833 when the revelation was received, there were no adult members who had been born into the church, and the oldest possible child of record was under three years of age. The original congregations of the church were 100% converts.
In the early years of the 20th century, President Joseph F. Smith, in a sermon, spoke of the original non-mandatory nature of the revelation: “The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given—as not by ‘commandment’ or ‘constraint’ was that at that time, at least, if it had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man [and woman] addicted to the use of these noxious things under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law.”
Eighteen years after the revelation, in an 1851 general conference, the Word of Wisdom was approved as a commandment. But living it required continued emphasis by our church leaders over the many decades that followed.
The Lord’s warning in the preamble regarding conspiracies is there to protect us. There are many conspiracies outside of the “don’ts” wherein our health is sacrificed for the financial gain of the conspirators, who are well aware of the ill effects of their various products. They conceal the known adverse effects of such things as sugar substitutes, food preservatives, food coloring, animal growth hormone injections, and the list goes on.
Perhaps the most important wording in the introduction is the statement that the revelation is “given for a principle with promise.” There are special promised blessings, later named in the revelation, that are irrevocably attached to our obedience to the Word of Wisdom.
III. Herbs, Fruits, and Grains
(Verses 10-11;14;16-17)
Five verses specifically instruct us to use wholesome herbs, fruits in their season, both above and below the ground, and all grain as the staff of life. The word “fruits” includes vegetables, a word that does not appear in the Word of Wisdom or anywhere in the scriptures, another little evidence that Joseph Smith received this revelation from God. We probably obtain a bonus blessing if we ourselves raise and produce those herbs, fruits, and grains.
We should take special note of the word “wholesome” and always consider the things that we take into our body—-whether they are wholesome or not. I hope you are not surprised that there is no mention in the revelation of the benefits of salty snacks, chocolate candy, cream pie, and sugary beverages.
IV. Meat
(Verses 12-15)
Verses 12 through 15 cover the use of meats. Meat is to be eaten sparingly. Meals need not feature a meat dish every time.
We learn from an Old Testament episode that Daniel and his companions benefited from choosing to eat grains and seeds and drinking water as opposed to eating the king’s meats and drinking the king’s wine. (Daniel 1)
V. Prudence
The revelation continues, “All these to be used with prudence....” (D&C 89:11.) Let’s consider the word “prudence.” Would eating a whole apple pie or a whole cake or watermelon at one sitting be prudent? It is contrary to the principles embodied in the Word of Wisdom to take an excess of anything into our bodies. Too much of any good thing converts the good thing into a bad thing.
We should not tax our bodies beyond good judgment.
Remember, the Lord has counseled us to be “temperate in all things” (Alma 7:23; 38:10). In other words, moderation should be a major factor in all of our decisions related to the “do’s” in the Word of Wisdom. Moderation means restraint within reasonable limits and refraining from excess (see D&C 59:20).
Powerful cravings are the enemy within us, but we can still exercise moderation when deciding how much and how often we need to eat. We can resist media messages that encourage unwise eating habits that bring unwanted health risks. The Word of Wisdom is our very best meal plan and our very best diet program.
Another way to show moderation is to avoid trying to fill emotional emptiness with food. Sometimes we turn to food when we are lonely, grieving, or bored. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t meet the emotional need; it is only a poor substitute for a true solution. A better approach is to fill our emotional hunger through service to others.
VI. The Sin of Gluttony
When a person habitually eats and drinks excessively or voraciously, he commits the serious sin of gluttony. The law of Moses dealt very harshly with gluttonous people. The law, as set forth in Deuteronomy, required that gluttons be stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
We read in Proverbs: “[T]he drunken and the glutton shall come to poverty....” (Proverbs 23:21)
About three decades ago, my wife Dianne and I were finally successful in coaxing Dianne’s father and step-mother to attend a church meeting with us. They agreed to go with us to an afternoon session of stake conference, to be followed by a church dinner for all in attendance.
It did not go as well as we would have liked. We wished that the hymn “Praise to the Man Who Communed With Jehovah” was titled “Praise to Jehovah Who Communed With the Man.” We made it through the meeting and were hoping the dinner would be a more positive experience. As we stood in the last 10% of the line, we watched the members engage in what appeared to be a hotly contested competition: Who could build the highest stack of food or produce the largest pyramid on the top of their paper plates.
As you may have already guessed, the food ran out before we got to the buffet table, so we departed the stake center in disappointment and found a restaurant. I cannot recall whether or not the Word of Wisdom was mentioned during the meeting.
But speaking of church dinners, why not challenge yourself to provide healthy alternatives. Do a favor for those who are attending the dinner; remember that the healthiest desserts are fruits and the healthiest snacks are vegetables.
VII. Personal Appearance
We should occasionally take a look at ourselves in a full-length mirror. Certainly we should not become obsessed with how we look, but we should work to maintain a pleasant physical appearance. Here is a quote not from me but from President Spencer W. Kimball, a prophet of God:
You might take careful inventory of your habits, ...
your appearance, your weight, ...
Take each item and analyze it. ... Are your [clothes] too
short, too long, to revealing, too old fashioned? Does your
weight drive off [others]? (close quote)
The Lord expects us to consistently improve our appearance the best we can with what he has given us, and then quickly forget ourselves and think of serving others.
VIII. Principles With Promises
(Verses 18-21)
The Word of Wisdom does not promise us perfect health, but it does provide remarkable promises. It teaches us how to keep the body we were born with in the best condition and our minds alert to delicate spiritual promptings.
Stamina is one of the promises that comes from fully living the Word of Wisdom. The promise relating to stamina is that you will be able to run and not be weary. But how in the world will you ever run and not be weary if you never run at all? The Word of Wisdom impliedly includes appropriate exercise. Physical inactivity would be contrary to the Word of Wisdom.
Here are the promised benefits to those who are obedient:
a. Health in our navel. Could that have anything to do with childbirth or children?
b. Marrow in our bones. I leave that to your own contemplation.
c. Wisdom. Would giving up a bad eating habit be a good trade off for acquiring wisdom?
d. Great treasures of hidden knowledge
e. Run without becoming weary
f. Walk without becoming faint,
g. The destroying angel shall pass us by and not slay us.
Are we unwittingly participating in our own destruction when we ignore the do’s in the Word of Wisdom? Perhaps there is a relationship with this New Testament scripture: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy....” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
Just how important is the Lord’s law of health? If we do not have our health, what do we have? If we do not have our health, our enjoyment of life is curtailed and restricted in almost every way.
IX. Back to the Temple Recommend Question
I was recently selected by the Church to participate in a survey. One of the questions solicited any concerns I might have regarding the Church. I reported what I perceived to be an inconsistency. Returning to the original temple recommend interview question: Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
Consider the interviewee who is more than 100 pounds overweight as a result of eating fried foods excessively and daily indulging in his sugar cravings, yet answers “yes” because he does not use tea, coffee, alcohol, or tobacco. After all, the don’ts are more easily measured; either you partook or you didn’t partake. On the other hand, the do’s seem to come in degrees. It is more difficult to determine the exact point at which you ate too much?
So the overweight member obtains his temple recommend and we see him in the temple.
Then consider the interviewee who faithfully observes the affirmative counsel contained in the Word of Wisdom and enjoys good health and a fit and vigorous appearance, but has an occasional cup of caffeine-free coffee at a mild temperature lower than the manner in which we normally drink hot chocolate. He feels compelled to answer “no” because of his occasional cup of caffeine-free coffee, and his temple recommend is denied until he repents and proves that he can live without the occasional cup of caffeine-free coffee. We do not see him in the temple.
These and other similar scenarios present complex questions to be resolved by our inspired judges in Israel. My hope is that we are expanding our view of the question: Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
X. Conclusion
I want to make it clear that my remarks have not been addressed to any particular person or persons. I am not attacking or criticizing any individual member. I am not judging or condemning anyone simply because they may sin differently than I do. I have a great admiration for those who are honestly trying to do better. I have confined my remarks primarily to the scriptures and the prophets. If any of you have been personally offended, I apologize. If any of you have had your conscience pricked, and have resolved to do better, then I am pleased.
Your body, which is in the image of God, is a sacred temple that houses your unique spirit personality that has the capacity to communicate with God through the Holy Ghost. There is an intimate link that we do not nearly understand between your physical body and your spirit which gives your physical body life. The physical and the spiritual are somehow intertwined in a marvelous way. Spiritual communications are at the mercy of delicate physical senses. A clean, vigorous, active, healthy body is the best medium for receiving revelation.
The Word of Wisdom is actually more than a health code. It is a way of life. As mortals, we all have the basic desires of the natural man or natural woman that relate to our physical needs. These natural desires are the same desires possessed by the animal kingdom in general. But we are more than animals. We are the literal offspring of God, endowed with reason, the light of Christ, and moral agency.
The great test of our mortal probation is to subjugate and restrict those natural desires to the boundaries that the Lord has set for such desires. When our cravings are replaced with a genuine desire to give thanks for having that which is sufficient for our needs, we will have a peaceful contentment that replaces the misery that comes from giving in to our cravings.
I challenge you to choose a sport or other vigorous physical exercise consistent with your age and physical condition, and be regular in pursuing it. Get your heart beating faster, your blood circulating, and give your major muscles a workout. An appropriate amount of time and effort spent in exercising will help you to be more effective in all other areas of your life. You will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us agency, is not about to satanically extinguish our agency. To the contrary, the Lord honors our power to choose, whether we choose good or bad. He grants unto us according to our desires. (see Enos 1:12)
Instead of obediently submitting himself to the Lord, the natural man makes bad choices and then exerts his most strenuous and extreme efforts to avoid the natural consequences of his bad choices. There are many examples of this:
a. We choose not to exercise and thus we purchase energy drinks as a replacement. But every upper has a downer built into it.
b. We choose not to keep the law of chastity, and thus we get an abortion to avoid the responsibility or embarrassment.
c. We choose not to be financially responsible, and thus we file for bankruptcy.
d. We choose to overindulge in our eating habits, and thus we seek for relief in diet pills, costly diet plans filled with gimmicks, or surgeries.
e. We choose not to pray and study the scriptures, and thus we seek advice from well-meaning but ill-informed friends or worse, from fortune tellers and palm readers.
f. We tell lies to get gain, and thus we cover up those lies with other lies.
g. How much of our tax monies have been spent seeking a cure for AIDS, when the best cure is already openly apparent?
There will always be a ready market for remedies designed to help people avoid the natural consequences of their bad choices.
XI. Testimony
I bear this testimony. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The Word of Wisdom is a true revelation. The Savior was loving, kind, and merciful in providing us with the truths and promises that are now contained in the 89th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants. May we enjoy all of the benefits that were intended for us as we are obedient to all of the principles found in the Word of Wisdom is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.