D&C 89 - Word of Wisdom: If It Is Not a Commandment...

If the word of wisdom is not a commandment….

…this truth has the opportunity to remove judgment from our hearts. What a beautiful idea. What if the Lord meant what he said? What if the word of wisdom is not nor ever was intended to be a commandment or constrained upon someone? What if it continues to be a Godly counsel regarding the temporal salvation of the Saints? If that is true, then all those supposed sins for “breaking” the word of wisdom, or our failure to live revealed principles of health, are really not sins at all. And after all the dust settles, the only sins left are the unrighteous judgments of men and women who judge others on how they should live the word of wisdom.

How, then, should the word of wisdom really be followed? How would we live differently than we do now?

Living the Word of Wisdom

To answer the second question first, how would we live differently? The truth is that those who want to “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God” (D&C 84:44) would not live much different than they do now. Those who need to be compelled perhaps may live different. There is great beauty in having the opportunity to live a principle of God by choice, without being constrained or compelled. How much greater are the blessing of true obedience because of willingness and desire to live like the Lord.

Alma was speaking to a group of poor Zoramites who desired to worship God, but were kicked out of their sanctuaries. He said how the people were blessed because they were compelled to be humble. But he informed them that there is greater blessings for those who are humble without being compelled. I believe the same principle is true for all aspects of the gospel. “And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to [live the word of wisdom,] ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly [live the word of wisdom] themselves because of the word” (Alma 32:14)?

How much greater would the blessings of health, wisdom, and knowledge be if these principles were lived willingly without being compelled or coerced? How nice would it be to not be in judgment of someone else because of their health habits? Those who want to live it as it is presently and culturally perceived by the church could continue to do so without judgment and at least reap the rewards of abstinence from addictive substances (other than sugars and colas.). Those who wanted to abandon or disregard the counsel could do so without condemnation, though they would suffer the consequences physically of such lifestyles. And those who lived it according to the dictates of the Spirit would reap the greatest rewards of health, wisdom, knowledge, and temporal salvation, as promised by the Lord.

If the word of wisdom was followed as it was intended, the Lord may inspire you to partake of the sacramental emblems with bread and wine. Then perhaps our understanding will be expanded regarding the Lord’s statement, “I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me” (3 Nephi 11:11). And maybe we would have greater understanding of the atoning blood of the Savior through the symbolism of the making and preparation of red wine.

If the word of wisdom was followed as it was intended, perhaps the Lord would inspire you to eat and drink foods that provide greater health. Maybe he would teach you how barley and other grains could be used for healthy mild drinks. He could teach you how to choose good and healthy herbs both for food and medicinal purposes. He could teach you how to increase your health.

Removing Judgment

I don’t believe I would live much different than I do now, but I certainly would have a different viewpoint of how others live this principle. I would have a lot less judgment toward myself and other people. Growing up in the church, it was my natural reaction to think how sinful it was  to drink alcohol or smoke a cigarette. I believed the people who did such needed to repent. Later, I came to the belief that perhaps they just don’t know it’s a sin, but still I subconsciously placed a judgment that they were not living up to the Lord’s standards.

But if the word of wisdom is not a commandment, and never was, then to smoke or chew tobacco is not a sin, for me or anyone else. There are potential serious health (and social) consequences, that is true. And it seems kind of silly to use tobacco, from my viewpoint, but not a sin. The same could be said for drinking alcohol of any kind or coffee or tea, hot or cold. Just because those things are not sins does not mean that we should just open the floodgates and do whatever we want. But it allows those who want to be more like their Father to draw blessings from him through physical health because they want to, not because they are compelled to.

Joseph Smith seemed to live under the impression that it was no sin to smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, even after receiving the word of wisdom. Here are some examples. “Joseph Smith tried the faith of the Saints many times by his peculiarities. At one time, he had preached a powerful sermon on the Word of Wisdom, and immediately thereafter, he rode through the streets of Nauvoo smoking a cigar. Some of the brethren were as tried as Abraham of old.”[1] Perhaps Joseph, the man who received the revelation from God knew that this was not a commandment. This is the same man who sai, “I made this my rule, if the Lord commands it, do it” (History of the Church 2:170).

Regarding alcohol, Joseph Smith wrote in his entry on April 17, 1840, “This day the Twelve blessed and drank a bottle of wine at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon forty years before.”[2] Additionally, in 1843, ten years after the revelation on the word of wisdom, the mayor of Nauvoo, Joseph Smith, passed an ordinance on the personal sale of liquors. The ordinance states, “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.”[3]

John Taylor recorded an experience when he was in prison. “Sometime after dinner we sent for some wine. It has been reported by some that this was taken as a sacrament. It was no such thing; our spirits were generally dull and heavy, and it was sent for to revive us.... I believe we all drank of the wine, and gave some to one or two of the prison guards.”[4]

One of the most telling quotes from Joseph Smith is regarding his use of wine. “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.”[5]

Word of Wisdom as Taught by the Spirit

So how should the word of wisdom be lived? Perhaps it should be lived just as it is implied in the Doctrine and Covenants, as a guideline given by God to healthy living, not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation—our own revelation. Interpretation should be guided individually by the Spirit of God. We should each individually determine in our own hearts through prayer and fasting, and as guided by the Spirit, how God would have us live, eat, and drink. And as we live by the dictates of the Spirit, we should refrain from judging others on how they interpret and live this principle of health. 

Worthiness should not be based on what we put into our mouths, but what comes out of our mouths, for what comes out of our mouths comes from the heart (Matthew 15:17-18). As we decide to how we individually will live the word of wisdom, are we willing to let go of judgement of others? Are we willing to live the tenets of the word of wisdom as we are directed by the Spirit? Are we willing to live this principle of health because we desire to, not because we are compelled to?

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[1] Joseph Smith as an Administer, BYU Masters Thesis, May 1969.

[2] Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, Vol 4. 17 April 1840.

[3] Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, Vol 6. 12 December 1843.

[4] John Taylor, History of the Church, Vol 7.

[5] Joseph Smith, Jr., History of the Church, Vol 2. 14 January 1836.