Why does the LDS Church pick and choose the parts of the Word of Wisdom to follow?
Question
Dear Gramps,
I have a question about the Word of Wisdom. My question is, why does the LDS Church pick and choose which parts of the Word of Wisdom is to be obeyed and which is not? For example meat is supposed to be consumed sparingly and only in times of famine. Yet this is not something they enforce like they do the other 3 alcohol, tobacco and coffee. Why? If the Word of Wisdom is law, then eating meat when you don’t have to is also breaking the law. Why do meat eaters get a free pass?
Regina
Answer
Regina,
President Ezra Taft Benson said this about eating meat in the April 1983 Conference talk titled “A Principle with a Promise”
In this revelation the Lord counsels us to use meat sparingly. I have often felt that the Lord is further counseling us in this revelation against indiscriminately killing animals, for He has said elsewhere in scripture, “Wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.”
Elder Boyd K Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following in the April 1996 Conference talk titled “The Word of Wisdom; The Principle and the Promises”
The Word of Wisdom was “given for a principle with promise” (D&C 89:3). That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.
Then later on in that same talk, he explains further,
…learn to use moderation and common sense in matters of health and nutrition, and particularly in medication. Avoid being extreme or fanatical or becoming a faddist.
For example, the Word of Wisdom counsels us to eat meat sparingly (see D&C 89:12). Lest someone become extreme, we are told in another revelation that “whoso forbiddeth to [eat meat] is not ordained of God” (D&C 49:18).
Before I get into the matter myself, let me explain to you the importance of the organization of the Church. When this revelation was given, it was not a commandment. Now it is. When this revelation was given, the prophet asked a question of the Lord, and this was His answer. Later prophets have made it clear that we are now expected to be able to live up to the principle He gave us.
Now consider the saints as they crossed the plains to the Salt Lake Valley. How were they to avoid eating meat? There is also a danger in your question of thinking that eating meat is wrong, and it is clear from the scriptures that this is not the case. What I think is the key that you’re missing is just one word, Moderation. Eat too much meat, and yes, it is quite harmful. However there are nutrients that we need that are best found in the flesh of the animals God has given us stewardship over. Meat is far more available and safe to eat than it was when this revelation was given. As such, the prophets and apostles of the Church have counseled us, as quoted above. I would encourage you to read both talks as you consider my words.
Finally, it is unwise to cast judgment upon others in matters such as this. A recent post I saw online sums it up nicely; Don’t hate me because I sin differently than you. We all have shortcomings and challenges to our faith and obedience to God. You might as well be angry at your neighbor for buying the ‘wrong’ car for all the good it will do you. Do not despair at or look down upon others for their sins. They are just as likely to be on the same path to Christ that you are walking, only at a different spot along the way, and at their own pace. Seek first to strengthen yourself and your testimony. Then you can lift others up in humility and love to where you are, just as Christ seeks to do for all of us. May God be with you always.
Gramps
One other point here – moderation is not nearly as easy to define as abstinence. I can confidently say that I abstain from alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. Either you do it or don’t. Moderation on meat…well that’s a lot harder to pin down. I don’t eat meat with a lot of meals, but sometimes when I do I might have a larger portion than would be considered eating it in moderation. On average I might be okay, but how would you sort that all out to determine someone’s temple worthiness if that were included as a standard?
I don’t think you really need to worry about it..just don’t be a glutten..in the end it is how you feel. The Lord knows what is in your heart & will judge you accordingly
This seems like a very common question on here. This answer is very similar to others given, and I would suggest reading this one as well: http://askgramps.org/3786/when-is-it-okay-to-eat-meat
The first two paragraphs about the placement of the comma are my favorite, ending in Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s quote that “We eat meat in the winter, we eat meat in the spring, we eat meat in the summer, we eat meat in the fall…”
Hi Alan! Note that just because the comma was added in 1921, does not mean it changed the meaning of the verse. The verse had always been interpreted in the same way before 1921. The comma only clarified that meaning. Clearly, the verse states that it is pleasing to the Lord that the flesh of animals “should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, of famine.” For a full scholarly discussion of the added comma, see: http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/questioning-the-comma-in-verse-13-of-the-word-of-wisdom/
From this article, here is an incident involved Elder McConkie. The verse with the added comma (verse 13) was specifically reviewed by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, who, after asking Elder Bruce R. McConkie to research the matter, “decided that the comma as it now stands was in the proper place and should not be removed.” Here is the complete account as it appears in a biography of Bruce R. McConkie:
“The Brethren carefully examined the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants for printing errors and mistakes, including details as small as the placement of a comma. For example, during the committee’s work on the Doctrine and Covenants, the subject of the comma in section 89, verse 13, came up for discussion. The presence, or lack thereof, of the comma between the words ”used” and ”only” can drastically change the meaning of the verse. Earlier publications of the Church which contained this verse were ambiguous, as some included the comma and others did not. Elder McConkie said that the subject had been discussed by the First Presidency and the Twelve a year or two earlier. At that time they asked Elder McConkie to research the subject, which he did. His findings were then approved, and it was decided that the comma as it now stands was in the proper place and should not be removed. Therefore, the Scriptures Publications Committee did not take any further action. Elders Monson and Packer, both of whom were at this meeting, concurred with the decision to leave it as is.”
This is a very measured and reasonable response to this question, Gramps, which I appreciate! D&C 89 contains both specific prohibitions and also some dietary counsel. LDS Church leaders have always spoken out more frequently and clearly about the prohibitions. One reason may be that for much of our history, the Saints were more in compliance with the dietary counsel than the prohibitions. Another reason may be that it is much easier to judge compliance with the prohibitions. How do you judge if someone is eating “wholesome” herbs (plants) with prudence and thanksgiving, meat sparingly and only in times of winter/cold/famine, or making grains the “staff of life”? Perhaps the prohibitions are also more important health-wise and are a stepping stone to the dietary counsel. (I’ve written more on this subject here: “Discovering the Word of Wisdom: Why the Preoccupation with the Prohibitions?” [http://ldsmag.com/article-1-14929/]
As you point out, D&C 89 was originally given without commandment or constraint (vs. 2). Unlike the prohibitions, the dietary counsel has never been made a commandment, but it still remains wise counsel from our Savior, and I believe we’d do well to heed it to the best of our ability, without judgment for what others choose to do. As you also wisely state, this counsel is in the form of principles that do not spell out every detail but that can help us make wise choices.
I agree with you that we should not forbid the use of meat. God ordained it for our use. On the other hand, we should also note that not only does He ask us to use it sparingly, He tells us it is “pleasing” to Him if we do not use it except in times of need: winter, cold, famine, or excess of hunger (vss. 13, 15). Clearly, crossing the plains was a time of need. We need to judge whether our time now in America, surrounded by grocery stores, is a time of need for us. Again, this is without commandment or constraint, but it is wise counsel from our Savior.
In times of need, there are nutrients in animals that we need because we can’t get them from plant foods. But the animals get all these nutrients from plants, and we can do so just as easily. Modern science is clear: no animal foods are needed for good health, in fact, they have been associated with chronic diseases of all kinds. This may be another reason (in addition to the waste of indiscriminately killing animals) why it is pleasing to the Lord if we do not use them, except in times of need. Between factory farming, the heavy use of antibiotics, and other modern practices geared toward making money and not promoting health, it is not clear that eating meat is any more “safe” today. What is clear is that the consumption of meat is not especially healthy, and even non-members of the Church counsel us to use it sparingly at most.
Of course the same is true of the excess amounts of fats and sugars and processed foods we use. Most of the food we eat is heavily processed. The nutrients are stripped out, and lots of fat, sugar, and salt added. I’m not sure the end products are the “wholesome” plants God ordained for our use.
I love the non-judgmental approach you take to this question. We can all prayerfully study D&C 89 and come to our own conclusions and try to do the best we can. I’ve been collecting stories of Latter-day Saints who are trying to follow the counsel in D&C 89 and have realized many of the promised blessings in their lives. You can find their stories at http://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com. You can also find more of my writings on the Word of Wisdom on that site and also: http://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/jane-birch-writings/.
I think what the original poster is asking is essentially this: Why does the Church offer meat throughout the year through the Bishop’s Storehouse if it is pleasing to the Lord to only eat it during times of cold, winter or famine? Why is meat served in the temple cafeterias throughout the summer months? Even the cafeteria in the church office building serves meat during the summer. What about church picnics and barbecues? The counsel to partake sparingly, and only during cold, winter and famine go out the window. As a church, we are far, far away from living the spirit of this counsel.
Doesn’t it state in the Word of Wisdom : it is pleasing unto me that meat is used only in times of cold, winter, famine. Not : it is condemned ?
Actually, D&C 89 is not a commandment (when the body of the church voted in general conference to include it in the D&C, everyone ensured that it would be placed in the D&C as a word of wisdom and not by commandment, etc.; that is the body of the church never voted to change the revelation to become a commandment). The church has a policy of abstinence of only a few items that is a commandment (and this began to be strictly enforced in the 1940s); if one does not obey the policy called the word of wisdom then one may not be baptized (receive the Holy Ghost, receive the priesthood, endowments, temple marriage, view sealings, etc.); if one does not obey all of D&C 89, one may be baptized (receive the Holy Ghost, etc). At the time this policy was enforced, the primary causes of chronic disease were tobacco and alcohol, and coffee and tea seemed to be used together with cigarettes. Today the primary causes of chronic disease are obesity and eating too much animal protein.
I’ve always understood the Word of Wisdom to be in support of eating meat and vegetables. A vegan/vegetarian lifestyle comes with its own health hazards as a result of not getting the nutrients present in meat. I don’t think the Savior wants us to suffer those ailments.
“Lighten up.” Lol. Its amazing to me how often we abdicate in favor of treating commandments or words of wisdom with light mindedness when it serves our purposes to maintain the status quo in our personal lives. We should of course not look down on others because they sin differently but we should also not pretend that we are able to judge the importance of various commandments which we admit we wre not yet living. Since there is no such thing as a tempral commandment and all commandmets or even words of wisdom are spiritual in nature, we likely have little idea how imporant keeping something that seems unimportant to us might actually be. Lets not look down or downplay anyones desire to be exact in their obedience either shall we? Lets encourage each other rather than act defensive when no attack is intended.
Let’s also review the history and purpose of the word of wisdom. Joseph Smith gave the word of wisdom while instructing the school of the prophets in order to prepare them for the temple to see the face of God. The purpose of the word of wisdom is very much NOT a health code. It is intended to keep our bodies, minds, and spirits in a condition conducive to the holy ghost and being in the presence of God.
The word of wisdom was not enforced as a commandment (100% necessary for all members to enter the temple) until almost 100 years after Joseph Smith gave it to the school of the prophets. At that time it was clarified as to what was specifically prohibited, since it wasn’t enforced at the time of its conception. Meat clearly wasn’t a big deal to the prophets and apostles at the time of specification because they did not say not to eat it. If you personally feel that eating a lot of meat prevents you from being in a state conducive to the holy ghost, then don’t eat meat, but it has not been prohibited by the Lord’s servants.
My wife and I made the choice to go semi-vegetarian. We may have chicken once a month, but do enjoy fish more often. Physically we do feel lighter and spiritually we are having more personal revelations given to us and we are growing faster spiritually. We are also discovering hidden treasures of further light and knowledge. (as promised)
I admit I love meat, but I am also fine without it.
The trouble in understanding the WoW is that a SUBSET of it, in practice, has the force of a commandment (though you can’t or shouldn’t be subjected to Church discipline for failure to observe the proscriptions), and we’ve in practiced understood the strict abstention from the ‘prohibited list’ as ‘keeping’ the WoW. Mine own background in Uncle Sam’s service find the paucity of documentation to be unacceptable, e.g., absent some form of public information dissemination, such as another section of the D&C, or “Official Declaration” or otherwise publicized proclamation or letter, how can we hold the general membership accountable to observe it? However, as I don’t want to be a ‘steadier of the ark’ (please refer to II Samuel 6 for the etymology of the phrase, and what happened to dear brother Uzzah…), I’ll just accept that I know what’s needed to be ‘compliant’ so that in any interview with the bishop, if asked about WoW observance, I can just answer ‘yes’ and move on, and I suspect most members understand the WoW at least as well as I do, if not better.
This also applies, IMO, to things that weren’t explicitly referred to back in 1832 when Joseph Smith received this revelation. Modern chemistry was barely in its infancy (indeed, Dmitri Mendelev, (Russian: Дми́трий Ива́нович Менделе́ев) wouldn’t publish the first Periodic Table of the Elements until 1869) , and most of the exotic chemicals that are (mis)used in our times weren’t known. Therefore, the missionaries teach prospective members that the WoW includes ‘harmful drugs’, and clarify that it even means ABUSE of legal OTCs and Rx.
As for indulgence in things like vaping, energy drinks, caffeinated soft drinks, herbal teas, and so on, unless we’re given explicit direction, we all should be adult enough to rely upon the Spirit of the Lord as to whether or not said indulgence is ‘ok’, and act accordingly. A good principle that works for me is not to ask what’s WRONG (with ‘it’), but what’s RIGHT?