The Word of Wisdom

[Over43]

Seems to have become somewhat blase' in church circles nowdays. And although Latter-day Saints are still seen as "those people who don't drink or smoke" I [personally believe there is a lot more to it than drinking and smoking. Unfortunately, the last few times I've been in class and there has been discussion concerning the W of W it always seems to digress to the drinking and smoking issue. I know alcohol and tobacco are destructive, I've had family members pass on way to young because of these things.

But...

What does everyone else read in the words of Section 89 that inspires them? The dietary code is interesting, and fortunately for me, Twinkies are made out of grain. I think.

O43

[VisionOfLehi]

Early to bed early to rise.

I'm trying to work on that.

But take a look at the standard seminary class. Students have to rise early... Now if they went to bed early, they'd be all the more prepared to take in the blessing which is seminary.

Anyway, that's one I'm trying to work on. I have a hard time sleeping before noon's darker twin, but I really WANT to.

[P-Worm]

I think the biggest issue we have with the Word of Wisdom is the verse to eat meat sparingly. I know I have to work on that.

P-Worm

I find the promise of 'great treasures of hidden knowledge' for obeying the WoW extremely inspiring. Indeed, I have found some of those treasures and prize them highly.

[mightynancy]

My midwestern mom often laments at how little meat I eat.

The do's in the WoW are harder than the don't's.

[Dirk]

To me I read the W of W with the Saviors words to take upon ourselves his yoke. To me this implies to lead a simple live and not to concern myself with the world of today. There are things I need in this world but there are something’s I don’t need and should not bother with. I think the word of wisdom helps to weed out a lot of confusion as to what is good and what isn’t, especial in today’s day and age where if you do a Google search you will find many pros and cons fort the same thing e.g. red meat consumption. I personally think that the W of W is a warning to keep our minds and body’s clean from anything as the war between good and evil are fought with the mind and words. (Craftiness of speech)
In the old days the folks would settle a dispute with their fist and guns; today we try and outwit each other with our knowledge and we need a sharp mind to defend ourselves against any propaganda, but that’s just me

[Lexish]

I'm always surprised, too, how much emphasis drugs and drinking get and how little emphasis the diet and exercise get. I think we would be better off if we followed the dietary part better. Just as many people get incredible health problems from not following a healthy lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise as drugs and drinking. I guess people don't necessarily see something as essential as food as harmful.

All things in moderation, that is what I get when I read the Word of Wisdom.

[Tough Grits]

Originally Posted by Over43

What does everyone else read in the words of Section 89 that inspires them? The dietary code is interesting, and fortunately for me, Twinkies are made out of grain. I think.

I think the word "moderation" is what inspires me most. Yes, drugs, drinking, and smoking are bad for us. But what about all the other foods and drinks in our lives that can be bad as well?

Moderation. I eat meat in moderation. Not just because of the WoW, but because I have not ever been a big meat-eater. I do eat chocolate now and then, and I like the occasional handful of chips, but I eat these things in moderation as well.

I have just learned that if I have a problem with self-control with any particular food or drink...then I don't buy it or bring it into my home.

Example: I could easily eat 4 or 5 glazed doughnuts in one sitting. So, I don't allow doughnuts in my house. It does not bother me, but my husband gets sad sometimes about not having doughnuts in the house. LOL LOL

But I have to be honest. There are some things that I truly cannot moderate. Watermelon, pizza, and crablegs.

Every summer I go through the same torturous ritual...I eat a whole watermelon in one sitting. Then I find myself writhing on the floor in pain. My husband no longer has sympathy. Mostly because he knows that as soon as the awful pain subsides, I go back and get more watermelon!!!!!

I just can't seem to use moderation in eating watermelon. Yet, I still bring it into my home every summer. (SIGH)

Seriously, there is a tremendous amount of wisdom in doing all things in moderation...not just the things we eat and drink.

IMHO

[rayhale]

Here is the web address of D & C Section 89: Doctrine and Covenants 89 read it. Please keep in mind that the Word of Wisdom is not just a dietary set of things that are good for you. If it was then exercise would be there, but it’s not! Guess what else is not there, taking vitamins, I could list more, but I think you get my point.
There is no doubt that there are differences in the Old Testament set of “Words of Wisdom” known as the Moses Code of law, read the first 4-5 books of the Bible. Most of it talks about it. In that code pigs were considered “unclean” with many other meats, but my point is that in the New Testament, after Christ fulfilled the Moses Code, then it was okay for the Apostles to eat a pig. Am I missing something? Are pigs suddenly now clean? Scientists say that if you’re not careful then pork is unsafe to eat.
All I’m saying is that the Word of Wisdom and the Moses Code was mostly about obedience then it was about eating only safe foods.
I read in another post that the whole eating meat only in winter as stated in verses 12-13 was that there was little to no refrigeration technology back then, so it would make sense to wait until a cold time of the year to eat it. Now that refrigeration technology is at the point that we don’t need to wait. We can just put meat in the refrigerator, or even the freezer.
As most of the posts have stated, be moderate in all things”, or more precisely, as I would say, be moderate in all GOOD things, and sparingly in the “junk foods” (like once in a blue moon). Today, more than any other generation, we have food at every corner. There’s McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, etc… all this food, mostly bad food, that is fast and easy to make. It’s hard to point fingers since those places wouldn’t be open if people wouldn’t go there.
My final point is to be careful of what you eat, and talk to a doctor!!! You need to talk to a doctor before you do anything, since you might do more harm than good, to your body.
P.S. Since there are a lot of “not’s” in social drinks and foods, like coffee, alcohol, and even tea, then you should let the person that asks “would you like a drink?” then you can say “No” but then say what you CAN drink, like lemonade or anything else. I would also suggest that you do the same even for LDS families, since, even among us, there is differences of opinion of what is, and what is not a part of WoW. So keep that in mind.

[pam]

Originally Posted by Tough Grits

I think the word "moderation" is what inspires me most. Yes, drugs, drinking, and smoking are bad for us. But what about all the other foods and drinks in our lives that can be bad as well?

Moderation. I eat meat in moderation. Not just because of the WoW, but because I have not ever been a big meat-eater. I do eat chocolate now and then, and I like the occasional handful of chips, but I eat these things in moderation as well.

I have just learned that if I have a problem with self-control with any particular food or drink...then I don't buy it or bring it into my home.

Example: I could easily eat 4 or 5 glazed doughnuts in one sitting. So, I don't allow doughnuts in my house. It does not bother me, but my husband gets sad sometimes about not having doughnuts in the house. LOL LOL

But I have to be honest. There are some things that I truly cannot moderate. Watermelon, pizza, and crablegs.

Every summer I go through the same torturous ritual...I eat a whole watermelon in one sitting. Then I find myself writhing on the floor in pain. My husband no longer has sympathy. Mostly because he knows that as soon as the awful pain subsides, I go back and get more watermelon!!!!!

I just can't seem to use moderation in eating watermelon. Yet, I still bring it into my home every summer. (SIGH)

Seriously, there is a tremendous amount of wisdom in doing all things in moderation...not just the things we eat and drink.

IMHO

TG....repeat after me...I hate watermelon...I hate watermelon...I hate watermelon.