The Words of Wisdom

Chapter 5

–

The Word of Wisdom

In studying all aspects of early Church history, I often though about the Word of Wisdom and how much the revelation means in verifying Joseph Smith’s prophetic abilities. However, the more I researched the historical context of Word of Wisdom the more I learned that it was not unique in its instructions for health during that period. In fact, conventional ideas, movements, and additional influences likely shaped what we have come to know as “the Lord’s law of health.”

• The Word of Wisdom The Word of Wisdom was written by Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio on February 27, 1833. It is currently published in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

2. To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint 5. That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. 6. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. 7. And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. 9. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. 11. Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. 12. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; 13. And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. 17. wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. There are several things mentioned in The Word of Wisdom that aren’t commonly observed in modern LDS culture. • Verse 2 – Clearly states that the Word of Wisdom is not a commandment; yet modern members are asked if they follow it during temple interviews and will not be issued a temple recommend if the interviewer feels that they do not properly adhere. • Verse 6,7,9,17 – Makes the distinction between 4 different types of drinks: wine, strong, hot and mild. Wine = ok for the sacrament if you make it yourself. Strong drinks = not ok. Hot drinks = not ok. Mild drinks = ok. • Verse 9 – Mentions “hot drinks.” What exactly does “hot drinks” refer to? Apostle George Q. Cannon stated, “We are told, and very plainly too, that hot drinks - tea, coffee, chocolate, cocoa and all drinks of this kind are not good for man.” “We must not permit them to drink liquor or hot drinks, or hot soups or to use tobacco or other articles that are injurious.” (Elder George Q. Cannon, General Conference, April 7, 1868, Journal of Discourses, vol.12) • Verse 11 – Only eat produce in their proper season. • Verse 12,13 – Meat should only be eaten in the winter or during a famine. • Verse 17 – Mild drinks made from barley area ok. What drinks are made from barley? Beer.

It seems that the modern Church has settled on coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs as the new interpretation. But according to the Word of Wisdom, members should currently refrain from hot drinks of all kinds, chocolate and soups included. Alcohol is not banned at all, but only strong drinks (hard liquor). In addition, according to the Word of Wisdom, all members should be vegetarian most of the year. These parts have been reinterpreted to change the original intent.

Additionally, the Lord’s Law of Health does not seem to have anything to do with physical health at all. Obese members are given temple recommends, while active, healthy, and fit individual who drink tea or coffee are not. It seems that if God really wanted Joseph to give the saints a code of health that would continue to modern day, he should have included things like daily cardiovascular exercise, and the avoidance of fast food and soda. In fact, the Church has long taught that coffee was unhealthy. But coffee’s reputation in the

Church appears to be backward. Numerous studies show the potential health benefits are surprisingly large. Researchers found 36 studies Involving more than 1.2 million participants who consumed about three to five cups a day, were at the lowest risk for cardiovascular diseases. Also, additional studies including almost 480,000 participants with consumption of two to six cups of coffee a day was associated with a lower risk of stroke and many others diseases, compared with those who drank none. (www.nytimes.com/2015/05/12/upshot/ more-consensus-on-coffees-benefits-than-ou-might-think.html?_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0)

• Possible Influences Why would the Word of Wisdom at one time disallow hot chocolate, hot cocoa, and hot soups? A popular misconception of this era said that hot drinks were not good for the body. In 1706 a book by a doctor from Montpelier, France, was translated into English. Its title: Wholesome Advice against the Abuse of Hot Liquors. Its particular targets were tea, coffee and hot chocolate. This book argued that though while moderate consumption could be beneficial, an excess of hot drinks caused the blood and insides to heat up and that “Excess of heat is the most common cause of sickness and death.” Medical science at the time was so basic that the evidence presented in the book was based largely upon crude anatomical knowledge and references to classical Greek and Roman texts.

A few decades later in 1748 John Wesley, the preacher and founder of the Methodist sects, was arguing for complete abstinence from tea, on the grounds that it gave rise to 'numberless disorders, particularly those of a nervous kind'. He placed emphasis on the religious importance of self-denial that was a central tenet of early Methodism. (http://www.tea.co.uk/a-social-history#temperance). Joseph Smith was very familiar with Methodist teachings. In fact, in June 1828 he became a member of the local congregation in Harmony, Pennsylvania under minister Nathanial Lewis. It is important to note that this was after his first vision where the Lord told him that all religions were wrong.

• The Temperance Movement Alcohol had been socially acceptable during the colonial era, but a shift in thinking in the early 19th century concentrated on the belief that drinking was no longer acceptable. The temperance movement was an organized effort to encourage moderation in the consumption of alcohol or press for complete abstinence.

Marcus Morton founded the American Temperance Society in 1826 and it benefited from a renewed interest in religion and morality. Groups began advocating temperance rather than abstinence and taking positions on moral issues. At this point the movement began to grow exponentially. Within 12 years it claimed more than 8,000 local groups and over 1.5 million members. By 1839, 18 temperance journals were being published. The movement split along two lines in the late 1830s: moderates who allowed some drinking and relied on moral persuasion alone, and radicals who demanded prohibition laws to restrict or ban alcohol. Prohibitionists dominated many of the largest temperance organizations after the 1830's, and temperance eventually became synonymous with prohibition.

“On October 6, 1830, the Kirtland Temperance Society was organized with two hundred thirty nine members.... This society at Kirtland was a most active one.... it revolutionized the social customs of the neighborhood. The Temperance Society succeeded in eliminating a distillery in Kirtland on February 1, 1833, just twenty-seven days before the Latter-day Saint revelation counseling abstinence was announced, and that the distillery at Mentor, near Kirtland, was also closed at the same time.” (Brigham Young University Studies, Winter 1959, pp.39-40)

• An Additional Influence Joseph Smith started a training school called the School of the Prophets for the elders of the Church, which opened in Kirtland on the second floor of the Newel K. Whitney mercantile store in January 1833. Brigham Young stated that the Word of Wisdom was given in response to problems encountered while conducting those meetings:

“I think I am as well acquainted with the circumstances which led to the giving of the Word of Wisdom…When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet [Joseph Smith] entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry.” (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol.12, p.158)

• Timeline 1826 – American Temperance Society founded. 1828 – Joseph Smith becomes a member of a Methodist congregation that taught against hot drinks. 1830 – Kirtland Temperance Society founded. 1833 – (Jan) Joseph Smith hears complaints from Emma about tobacco. 1833 – (Feb. 1) The Kirtland Temperance Society eliminates the distillery in Kirtland. 1833 – (Feb. 27) Joseph writes the Word of Wisdom limiting hot drinks, tobacco and strong drinks.

Even after all that, the History of the Church records that Joseph taught the Word of Wisdom but did not practice it. If the Lord really gave this revelation to Joseph, one would think he would at least follow it himself.

1. “We then partook of some refreshments, and our hearts were made glad with the fruit of the vine. This is according to the pattern set by our Savior Himself, and we feel disposed to patronize all the institutions of heaven.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, January 14, 1836, vol.2, p.369)

2. “Ordinance on the Personal Sale of Liquors - Section 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of Nauvoo, that the Mayor of the city be and is hereby authorized to see or give spirits of any quantity as he in his wisdom shall judge to be for the health and comfort, or convenience of such travelers or other persons as shall visit his house from time to time. Passed December 12, 1843. Joseph Smith, Mayor. Willard Richards, Recorder.” (History of the Church, December 12, 1843, vol.6, p.111) 3. “Before the jailor came in, his boy brought in some water, and said the guard wanted some wine. Joseph gave Dr. Richards two dollars to give the guard; but the guard said one was enough, and would take no more. The guard immediately sent for a bottle of wine, pipes, and two small papers of tobacco; and one of the guards brought them into the jail soon after the jailor went out. Dr. Richards uncorked the bottle, and presented a glass to Joseph, who tasted, as also Brother Taylor and the doctor, and the bottle was then given to the guard, who turned to go out.” (History of the Church, June 27, 1844, vol.6, p.616)

I have never been taught in Church that abstinence from alcohol and other hot drinks were already popular concepts of time leading up to the revelation. It appears that the Word of Wisdom may not be unique instruction, but well within the context of 19th century assumptions. Perhaps it was spurned by Emma’s complaints, added to by Methodist teachings and pressured by the local Kirtland Temperance Society.

#WOW #WordsofWisdom #ChurchHistory