W of W Introduction
- Don’t the beginning verses say the Word of Wisdom isn’t a commandment?
- Yes. And when it was given as a revelation in 1833, it wasn’t. Since then, other prophets have become more adamant about it now being a commandment. Today, it is a requirement for receiving entrance into the temple.
- When did the Word of Wisdom become a commandment?
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“In 1851, President Brigham Young proposed to the general conference of the Church that all Saints formally covenant to keep the Word of Wisdom. This proposal was unanimously upheld by the membership of the Church. Since that day, the revelation has been a binding commandment on all Church members” (E.T. Benson, Ensign, May 1983).
- What does conspiring men refer to?
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“The Lord foresaw the situation of today when motives for money would cause men to conspire to entice others to take noxious substances into their bodies. Advertisements which promote beer, wine, liquors, coffee, tobacco, and other harmful substances are examples of what the Lord foresaw. But the most pernicious example of an evil conspiracy in our time is those who induce young people into the use of drugs” (E.T. Benson, Ensign, May 1983).
- Does this only refer to tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcohol or could it also apply to pharmaceuticals?
- It’s been a common teaching that it refers to the most commonly discussed prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom (i.e. coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, etc). Ezra Taft Benson made a general statement on this matter. “The Lord foresaw the situation of today when motives for money would cause men to conspire to entice others to take noxious substances into their bodies.” (E.T. Benson, Ensign, May 1983).
Some critics of the pharmaceutical industry believe some products can be more harmful to the body than natural products. For more comments on herbal remedies, visit the Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables section.
- What is the Word of Wisdom?
- It is often printed in the media as a Mormon Health Code or Mormon Code of Health. And in actuality, that is what the Word of Wisdom is. A code of health for Latter-day Saints.
Verses 5, 7 , 8 & 9 of section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants specifically say that alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks are not good for us. Other verses speak of other substances as being good for us (such as herbs, grains, etc).
