Words of Wisdom?

[mustang90]

I was reading the words of wisdom and I was wondering how closely certain aspects are followed.

For example, I know that Mormons won't drink tea or coffee, drink alcohol, or use tobacco.

Indeed all mormons I have ever known follow such commandments.

However I read on and found:

"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;

And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."


Now I haven't met any mormons who will decline a good summer bbq.

So do Mormons really eat meat sparingly, or specifically only in the winter?

Or is that seen as a "Well back in the day that was true, but now aday we don't really..."

Oh, and I have no problem following the W.O.W btw, I don't drink, smoke, and can easily live without caffeine or meat. So it wouldn't be a deal breaker or anything like that.


Thanks,

Mustang

[Kyra]

That's very interesting. I've really never noticed that part of the WoW before. I guess you learn something new every day, right?

I do know plenty of members who eat meat sparingly, my family included. My mom may use hamburger or chicken in a casserole a couple times a week, but that's it. Me, on the other hand, I love my meat! LOL It's something I need to work on, especially now! Thanks for posting this!

[abqfriend]

I an a Catholic reading this.
I lived in Florida for years.
The largest cattle ranch there was/is owned by the LDS Church:
here is a link

Deseret Ranch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EVERYMONDAY: Discovering the Deseret Ranch

-How does this go with the Words of Wisdom?

-Carol

[Truegrits]

The LDS where I am now, a small southern farming area, eat meat abundantly...the LDS in my Ward in Naples did eat it less.
I think LDS are like most everyone else; meat eaters.

My family and I have many a discussion on that very topic.

[abqfriend]

I, as a Catholic am confused in reading this thread.
Are certain areas of the Words of Wisdom to be read more literally more than others?
Are some parts to be ignored?
Does a later D and C clarify the matter?
According to LDS doctrine/teaching-is eating meat abundantly ok?-or is sparingly only OK?-and if so-why own such a huge cattle ranch??
That would be the same as being told-do not drink alcohol-while owning a brewery.
-I am confused.
Please help end my confusion.
Thanks
-Carol

Originally Posted by Truegrits

The LDS where I am now, a small southern farming area, eat meat abundantly...the LDS in my Ward in Naples did eat it less.
I think LDS are like most everyone else; meat eaters.

My family and I have many a discussion on that very topic.

[john doe]

We all have our favorite weaknesses. Meat should be eaten sparingly. But what is considered sparingly? Meats are full of essential vitamins and minerals, some of which are difficult to obtain without eating meat. Can you overdo it? Sure. I would guess that most Americans, not just LDS, eat much more meat than they actually need. It's a conundrum, though. The problem is that God made meat taste SO GOOD.

As for the large cattle ranch, I don't see how that relates. The harvest on that ranch feeds a lot of people, and I would guess that the general church population probably sees very little of that meat. Probably the only times they would see it would be as church welfare recipients or church cannery volunteers, who are allowed to buy some of the product which they have helped can.

It may interest you to know that Brigham Young did own and run a winery in Utah while the Word of Wisdom was advice, before it became binding as a commandment. I personally see no problem with a person producing and selling a legal product which my religion forbids me to use, as long as I don't use it myself. Some people see things differently, but I believe in allowing free will for those who do not worship the same as I.

[MarginOfError]

Originally Posted by abqfriend

I an a Catholic reading this.
I lived in Florida for years.
The largest cattle ranch there was/is owned by the LDS Church:
here is a link

Deseret Ranch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EVERYMONDAY: Discovering the Deseret Ranch

-How does this go with the Words of Wisdom?

-Carol

Oh, that cattle ranch...I hear they're expanding that to include sheep and birds to prepare for the restoration of the Law of Moses. And if you believe that, I've got a footbridge from Rhode Island to Hawaii I'd like to sell you.

[hordak]

Originally Posted by abqfriend

I, as a Catholic am confused in reading this thread.
Are certain areas of the Words of Wisdom to be read more literally more than others?

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.

7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

Enforced to the T.

...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.

D&C 27: 3
3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;

Homemade sacrament wine is ok. But not used.(although this might be a convenience thing)

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;

Not asked asked about, not defined.

14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

Wild animals, and fowls are only for times of famine.Yet i can't tell you how many LDS are avid hunters.Including my Bishop.

16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17 Nevertheless, 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.

Mild barley drink. Completely ignored.

[abqfriend]

It makes no sense to me as a- Catholic reading this -that the LDS Church would encourage eating meat sparingly and own a very large cattle ranch and sell meat to others.
As I said previously-this would be like the church telling it's members not to drink-yet owning a brewery and selling alcohol to others to consume---it makes no sense to me as a Catholic reading this.

Originally Posted by john doe

We all have our favorite weaknesses. Meat should be eaten sparingly. ....
As for the large cattle ranch, I don't see how that relates. The harvest on that ranch feeds a lot of people, and I would guess that the general church population probably sees very little of that meat.

[Brother Dorsey]

Originally Posted by abqfriend

It makes no sense to me as a- Catholic reading this -that the LDS Church would encourage eating meat sparingly and own a very large cattle ranch and sell meat to others.
As I said previously-this would be like the church telling it's members not to drink-yet owning a brewery and selling alcohol to others to consume---it makes no sense to me as a Catholic reading this.

I know exactly where you are coming from...when I was a Catholic a lot of things made no sense to me either until I found the Lord's true church.
The WOW states:
"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; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."

Think about this carefully, the Lord says, "only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Back in 1835 they had no refrigerators, freezers etc. so the Lord in His wisdom told the Saints not to eat meat when it was warm outside IE: late Spring, Summer and early Fall. What happens to meat when it's warm? It goes bad fast and could make one very ill. The Lord does not tell the Saint to refrain from eating meat....He tells them,"they are to be used sparingly." Back in 1835 they didn't have corner grocery stores where you could go and get anything your heart desires. They had very few choices in food. Grain and breads were the staple, some meat and poultry, a few types of fruits and vegetables that were in season. The Lord was concerned that His people not eat only meat but a variety of what was available. In todays world you can have your steak, potato, green beens, salad and nice fruit cup desert and you are getting all the nutrition you need. In 1835 in the winter the best you could do was bread, meat, and milk. No veggies and no fruits. Imagine what would happen if you were to eat only meat for a couple of months? Grain and bread are okay to do that with but not meat. The Lord knew best back then and the Lord knows best now.....think about the Saints in the third world countries today who would heed the Lords counsel regarding using meat sparingly? It continues to hold true.

As far as church owned cattle ranches....that's meat raised for the church welfare system and when needed it's given to families in just as equal quantities as grains, fruits and vegetables.

The Lord does NOT tell members of His church to not eat meat.
The Lord does tell members of His church to not consume alcohol.

I hope that clears up your confusion.