The Word of Wisdom

Imagine me jumping for joy, because I am! More lovely questions to answer from another lovely friend, Anonymous. First off, we have:

"Why do Mormons eat so unhealthily when we have a strict dietary code?"

Seriously! I mean, I can't say I'm not in the same boat, but that's something I've been thinking of as of late. I have a particular friend from Iowa who is vegan (she says "raw vegan," although I don't know if that's an important distinction or not.) Regardless of her motivations for being vegan, I'm sure she has found many benefits to eating all kinds of fruits and vegetables as opposed to copious amounts of over-processed, chemically-altered meat. Now, lets get one thing clear: I will never, ever go vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or any sort of variation of the aforementioned diets. I do see how they could potentially benefit an individual in general, although I don't believe things need to be that strict.

But that's beside the point. As Anonymous mentioned, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have a "strict dietary code," (known as the "Word of Wisdom") which is outlined nicely in Doctrine and Covenants 89 (click the link if you'd like a gander.)

Here's a summary:

Verses 1-4 are the introduction. Basically, it says this is for everyone as the "will of God," and a warning.

Verses 5-9 deal with what we are instructed to not put into our bodies. These are things like wine, "strong drink" a.k.a. alcohol, tobacco, and "hot drinks." It also offers up alternate and appropriate uses for a couple of those things, such as using tobacco as "an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill."

Verses 10-17 focus on what is good for our bodies: "wholesome herbs" in the "season thereof," as well as every fruit in their season, "flesh... of beasts and of the fowls of the air," grain, and "that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." We are, however, consistently warned to use everything with "prudence and thanksgiving," and it even goes so far as to say meat should be used "sparingly" and "only in times of winter or of cold, or famine."

Verses 18-21 outline all the blessings we get for keeping faithful to these guidelines, such as "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge" and "run and not be weary... walk and not faint."

Great! So... where does the green jello fit in? How about the cookies and all the other sweets typical of an LDS gathering? Yikes! The question stands: If we, faithful members of the LDS church, have these guidelines available to us, why is it that they aren't always observed?

I believe, to an extent, that people are actually pretty good about the guidelines. Where we get caught up is in the whole "prudence" and "sparingly" parts. When it says different foods should be used with "thanksgiving," it is NOT referring to the holiday where you stuff yourself silly. Think more along the lines of desperately wanting a chocolate bar, and how grateful you would be if someone showed up with the last one you would have for a while.... not that chocolate is necessarily great for you either.

Then there's the part about meat which specifies "only in times of winter or of cold, or famine." We're definitely not going through a famine, but it is winter and pretty cold so... we're good, right? Well, keeping in mind this is all my personal opinion, I believe the part where we need to focus our attention is again on the word "sparingly." Unfortunately for those who love their meat, even if studies had not shown that an abundance of it isn't very good for you, those are the instructions we've been given. No, I do not think it is a sin to throw some hamburger in with your pasta during the spring and summer months. I do, however, think having meat every day should be avoided, and, when you do partake of it, there should be a balance of fruits and vegetables with it. Generally, according to the Word of Wisdom, it is best to receive sustenance from fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs.

Where's the disconnect? Food is good... really good. The world teaches us to enjoy, and enjoy as much as we want. (Did anyone else just think "eat, drink, and be merry?") Sometimes you take a bite of something and all you want to do is stuff your face with it for the rest of eternity, but that's not what life is about. Our life here is about building on our character and learning to be the best versions of ourselves possible. Those versions of us don't pig out all the time - they have self control, and make wise decisions about what they put in their bodies. It's so easy to allow food, which is a natural part of life, to consume more than its fair share of concern. No, I'm not going to say it's a sin to have dessert every now and then. The key is to be reasonable. Only by carefully monitoring what it put in our bodies can we reap the amazing benefits we have been promised at the end of the Word of Wisdom.

Don't go alerting your Bishops you have been breaking the Word of Wisdom at all the ward holiday celebrations. Do make a conscious effort to improve the quality and restrict the quantity of food which goes into your body and the bodies of those whom you provide for, realizing that even your occasional candy bar brings consequences.

Sincerely,
Lora.