“I do wonder why so many obese people in the ward where I attend have temple recommends. Why is that obesity is not considered a sin in the church?” (Pat)
Thanks for writing, Pat. A couple of thoughts.
Regarding the temple recommends, you will need to talk to those who issued them. The temple recommend process involves an interview. During the interview, interviewers ask the candidates questions. The interviewers consider the responses to those questions and then use their discretion to decide whether the person qualifies for the recommend.
Given that interviewers use their discretion and every interview may not result in entirely similar answers, I cannot begin to speculate on the reasoning those interviewers used to issue any or all of the recommends.
Additionally, there is a difference between overweight and obese. Generally, those with a body mass index of 25.0–29.9 are considered overweight, and those with a BMI of 30.0–39.9. I am not intimately familiar with the situation of the ward where you live, but I do find it unusual that there would be a high concentration of those with a BMI in the 30–39.9 range.
Finally, one should keep in mind that weight problems (even actual obesity) are not present in all people because of diet. Some persons are genetically predisposed to obesity. Despite controlling diet and exercise, they can appear overweight while still being generally healthy and physically fit.
Naturally, such a variable topic presents challenges to my being able to offer any sort of accurate speculation not only on a person’s receiving a recommend, but also on their adherence to the Word of Wisdom.
I do agree with the idea, however, that the positive aspects of the Word of Wisdom do not receive as much attention as the prohibitions.
I hope this addresses your question.
In Mormon Doctrine, Elder McKonkie states that for purposes of getting a temple recommend a line was drawn in the sand at the forbidden items (tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs).
As far as many of the other comments are concerned, obesity is a problem. I challenge everyone to read the WoW carefully as the promise of fantastic health is true.
In short:
-Herbs and fruits in season
-Vegetables
-Meat otten, if not every day
-Grains only in times of hunger and famine (hence the long storage time of wheat)
Follow this and terrific health is yours. I am living proof.
I think Denny meant Grains often and meat sparingly, in times of winter or famine, thats what Doctrine and Covenants section 89 says.
I have to agree with you, Nellie. I don’t see how eating grain sparingly and meat often can help prevent obesity.
People are overweight for many reasons. I am not overweight right now, but when I had cancer I had to take steroids with chemo and gained so much weight it put me in the “overweight” category. Had I not been skinny to start with I would have ended up obese. I could not believe how hard it was to loose the weight. The answers are not society’s norm. I could see how someone who doesn’t know better can think they are doing all they can and still not lose weight. Or even not have the desire, because the way we eat becomes a downward spiral.
Your observation is extremely judgmental. If you do not eat a dramatically different diet from that of those around you, attribute it to good genes! Because the way we eat as a society breeds obese babies!
I suggest you worry more about yourself, your love for your neighbors, and your worthiness to go to hold a temple recommend. You are judged by your actions, not by the actions of those around you.