members of the Church of Jesus Christ of
latter-day saints
live by a health code called the word of
wisdom what is the word of wisdom and
why do millions of latter-day saints
around the world follow it let's take a
closer look the Prophet Joseph Smith
received the word of wisdom by
revelation in 1833 he wrote the
revelation down and canonized it in a
collection of revelations called a
doctrine and covenants which latter-day
saints view in Scripture the revelation
is recognized by most as the reason why
latter-day saints abstain from alcohol
tobacco coffee tea and drug use but to
understand why the word of wisdom came
about we first need to know some
historical context the word of wisdom
appeared at a time of intense public
debate in the United States about
alcohol abuse as early as the 1810s
rapidly growing industrialization and
alcohol use had begun breaking down
previously held social norms by the
1830s many adults in the United States
have been raised in families where
alcoholic beverages were consumed at
breakfast lunch and dinner many people
became concerned about the social and
health consequences of increased alcohol
consumption the temperance movement grew
as reformers called for abstinence from
hard liquor many involved with the
movement went further taking a pledge
against all alcoholic beverages
including beer some even recommended
coffee as a substitute for alcohol given
that clean water was not always
available at the same time some
reformers spoke out against tobacco use
it was in this social climate in the
early 1830s that Joseph Smith started a
series of formal classes called the
school of the profits this school was an
assembly of church leaders who met to
discuss and instruct one another in
theological and secular learning such as
religion economics philosophy and civic
matters but the attendees frequently
smoked chewed and spat tobacco all in
the same space where Joseph taught the
school and recorded Revelations in
addition Emma Smith Joseph's wife was
left to clean up the mess and she was
disturbed by the men's actions she spoke
to Joseph about it Joseph inquired of
Lordan and received the revelation known
as the word of wisdom the revelation
helped the saints navigate many of the
issues debated by reformers and also
addressed Emma's specific concerns for
example the Lord warned against a
consumption of strong drinks which
latter-day saints understand to mean
alcohol also the Lord cautioned that hot
drinks understood his coffee and tea
were not for the belly in other words
not to be consumed
neither was tobacco which was better
used as an herb for sick cattle also at
the time some groups like the shakers
advised against eating meat while other
groups advocated no restrictions at all
however in the word of wisdom the Lord
revealed that he ordained meet both
beasts and fowl for the use of man on
condition that it be eaten sparingly the
word of wisdom given in its early
american context did not specifically
mention many substances that has since
become common as the world's industries
began mass production of such substances
church leaders encouraged latter-day
saints to use common sense and stay away
from harmful habit forming substances
for example recreational drugs should be
avoided while the authorized and correct
use of prescription drugs is okay in the
word of wisdom the Lord also warns
against conspiring men with evil designs
foreshadowing a surge of substance abuse
addiction and death but latter-day
saints see the word of wisdom as more
than just a health code adherence to the
word of wisdom not only teaches members
how to control appetites and guard their
health it is also part of what makes
them eligible for Temple worship and
promises spiritual benefits most
importantly following the word of wisdom
helps engender
greater receptivity to personal
revelation through the Spirit of the
Lord as Boyd K Packer
an apostle of the Lord in the Church of
Jesus Christ of latter-day saints once
said a fundamental purpose of the word
of wisdom has to do with Revelation if
someone under the influence can hardly
listen to plain talk how can they
respond to spiritual promptings that
touch their most delicate feelings as
valuable as a word of wisdom is as a law
of health it may be much more valuable
to you spiritually than it is physically
so let's review what is the word of
wisdom and why is it important to
latter-day saints the word of wisdom is
a revelation in it the Lord promises
that those who follow his guidelines
will have better health but he also
promises greater happiness wisdom and
spiritual blessings to most of all the
word of wisdom shows us that God loves
us he wants us to be healthy and
spiritually receptive to his words now
you know
you