Word of wisdom

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The word of wisdom is called section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants because it begins with the words, "A word of wisdom for the benefit of the council of high priests gathered in Kirtland and the Church and also the saints in Zion—". This section is considered divine revelation about nutrition and health in Latter-day Saint Church of Jesus Christ and some Mormon factions.

content

In the introduction it says that the text should not be understood as a command, but as a greeting, which, however, corresponds to the abilities of the weakest. One reason is the wickedness of people who made such a word of wisdom necessary.

Next it is explained that wine and strong drink, as well as hot drinks, should not be enjoyed. Tobacco should also be avoided.

In the following it is said that all kinds of vegetables and fruits should form the main food of humans at their respective times together with grain, predominantly wheat. Meat should only be consumed sparingly and only in times of cold and hunger.

Following these prompts is the promise that those who follow these recommendations will be healthy and walk without becoming tired. They are to find hidden treasures of wisdom.

history

Joseph Smith said he received this revelation in response to a question to God on February 27, 1833 in Kirtland Ohio. He often held the "School of the Prophets" in the room above his shop, where he discussed spiritual matters and matters of church organization with the leading brothers of the church. Many brothers smoked or chewed tobacco, knocking their pipes on the floor and also spitting the tobacco juice on the floor. Joseph Smith wondered if a smoke-filled room would be a fit for spirituality, and his wife Emma complained about the filth she kept cleaning up. In response to his question about tobacco use, Joseph Smith received the revelation that today forms section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Initially, the Word of Wisdom was published as a separate brochure. In 1835 it was included in the first edition of the book “Doctrine and Covenants”.

The hot drinks mentioned there were interpreted exclusively as coffee and black tea from the beginning, which is still true today. In the beginning, the word of wisdom was seen as a rather non-binding recommendation. This illustrates the fact that Joseph Smith himself wanted to set up a liquor bar for his bodyguard Orrin Porter Rockwell in the Nauvoo city hotel, the Nauvoo Mansion , which only his wife Emma prevented. Rockwell also later ran a brewery in Utah. In Salt Lake City's early years, women's shoes and black tea were the most sought-after imports. Only in the course of the decades did the perception of the word of wisdom change. It has become an integral part of Mormon life, indeed a differentiator from outsiders. Within the Church, keeping the Word of Wisdom in such a way that the consumption of alcohol in any form, coffee beans and black tea, and tobacco in any form is completely avoided, has become a condition for baptism, priesthood ordination, and for receiving a temple recommendation slip . The word of wisdom led to very restrictive alcohol legislation in the Mormon state of Utah , which was brought to the attention of the world public on the occasion of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City . For decades there have been groups within the church that would like to focus attention on the second part of the commandment, the economical consumption of meat, but they have only limited success with it. There is no official statement on this from Church leaders.

A second controversy within the Church revolves around caffeinated cold drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper's, etc. Some, including Presidents of the Church, believe that such drinks should not be enjoyed by Latter-day Saints. There is no official statement on this. On the other hand, it is repeatedly emphasized in general conferences that the word of wisdom also includes completely renouncing addictive doges. However, they can be used as medication under medical supervision. It is often referred to the passage in the Word of Wisdom that everything can be used with reason and thanksgiving.

The official and therefore binding position on the Word of Wisdom is:

The only official interpretation of the term “hot drink” (D&C 89: 9) in the Word of Wisdom was when early Church leaders stated that it included tea and coffee. Members should not ingest anything that contains drugs. In addition, they should not ingest substances that are harmful or addictive, unless this is done under the supervision of a qualified doctor.

Again and again there is a warning against fanaticism in connection with the word of wisdom, e.g. B. by Elder Quentin L. Cook in 2003.

Further literature

Individual evidence

  1. Jump up ↑ Doctrine and Covenants 89: 1
  2. ^ Doctrine and Covenants 89, Introduction
  3. ↑ Journal of Discourses 12: 158, quoted in Church History in the Fulness of Times, Student Guide Relligionsinstiut, p. 119, found at lds.org
  4. ↑ Doctrine and Covenants 89:11
  5. ↑ Handbook 2: Ruling the Church, Salt Lake City 2010, 3/21/11, The Word of Wisdom, also at lds.org
  6. ↑ Quentin L. Cook, Looking beyond the Mark, Ensign March 2003, also at lds.org

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