Lesson 22 - The Word of Wisdom: "A Principle with a Promise"

O where to begin with the Word of Wisdom? Perhaps verse 3: "A principle with a promise." For almost the first century it was that. There were those from the beginning who adhered to the principles and were blessed for that commitment, but it was not a reigning sign of Mormon orthodoxy until at least the 20th century, perhaps the latter half of the twentieth century. The wallpaper for this blog is Ann Marsh Abbott's own handwritten copy of the Word of Wisdom written in the 1830s or 40s. Clearly, it was significant enough for her to make her own copy to keep with her prior to the revelations being published.

Most know the story of Emma having to clean up after the brethren in the School of the Prophets and complaining to Joseph. David Whitmer gave an alternate version--the women of the church were very interested in the temperance ideals that surrounded them and positioned themselves against the men of the church who didn't seem to see the need (20 of the 22 in the School of the Prophets used chewing tobacco). Whatever the exact driving force, Joseph asked the Lord and in February 1833 received the revelation we now have recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Here is the earliest manuscript extant from Revelation Book 2. Here is the new Revelations in Context article written by Jed Woodworth on Section 89. You cannot talk about the Word of Wisdom without engaging the context in which it was produced.

The Word of Wisdom gives us another significant opportunity to look at how the understanding and application of a revelation changes over time. Joseph Smith did not live the Word of Wisdom as we might expect him to. Though the revelation recorded in Section 23 taught the Saints that either water or wine could be used for the sacrament since the symbolism was most important, the Saints used water and wine interchangeably for the sacrament until the beginning of the 20th century, perhaps 1906. Southern Utah had early church vineyards and early some Utah temples had spittoons.  Clearly our application of the revelation has changed.

Paul Peterson and Ron Walker give us a look at Brigham Young and what we might consider an attempt to canonize the revelation here. (Page 50 also details WofW reform in Great Britain.) Despite Brigham's efforts, it was not until the early 20th century with President Heber J. Grant that the revelation transitioned to an explicit commandment. By 1930 (after Utah repealed the 18th amendment, Prohibition, in 1923--read here), the Word of Wisdom became a temple recommend question and was on its way to becoming a reigning sign of Mormon orthodoxy.

A few verse specific notes:

>Verse 4 talks of "conspiring men in the last days." 
In 1997 the Mississippi Attorney General, Michael Moore, visited Church headquarters, where he was hosted by General Authorities W. Eugene Hansen and Marlin K. Jensen. All lawyers, they discussed the legal action states, including Mississippi and Utah, were taking against tobacco companies. Moore explained that his legal strategy was to prove a “conspiracy” on the part of tobacco companies using overwhelming evidence.

Elder Jensen drew Moore’s attention to D&C 89:4. “We listened attentively as he slowly and deliberately read that verse out loud in his appealing southern accent: ‘Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you and forewarn you, by giving you this word of wisdom by revelation.’”

“The scriptural reference to ‘conspiring men’ was not lost on Mr. Moore.  As he finished reading verse 4, a broad smile came across his face, and with a twinkle in his eye he said, ‘I never dreamed in visiting Utah I might find 10 million people who would agree with my conspiracy theories!’’’

“My heart burned within me that day and has many times since as I have thought about Joseph Smith’s gift as a prophet and seer.  There is really no other explanation for the origin of that 1833 revelation.  It waited until nearly the end of the twentieth century for an almost literal verification of one of its key passages.  In the hearts of the faithful saints who have heeded its message for nearly 170 years, however, there has never been any doubt about its authenticity or relevance” (Elder Marlin K. Jensen, “May the Kingdom of God Go Forth,” Out of Obscurity, 9-10.)


>Verse 9 and "hot drinks."

Joseph Smith declared that tea and coffee “are what the Lord meant when He said Hot drinks” (Joel H. Johnson, Voice From the Mountains, 12).

"I say it does refer to tea and coffee" (Hyrum Smith, Times and Seasons (1842) 3:801).

“Many try to excuse themselves because tea and coffee are not mentioned, arguing that it refers to hot drinks only.  What did we drink when that Word of Wisdom was given?  Tea and coffee” (Brigham Young, JD 12:117.

Assuming that caffeine is the substance that makes coffee and tea bad for us has led many to avoid caffeine. In the Church Newsroom's "Getting It Right" corner in March of 2012 they noted, "Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices does not mention the use of caffeine. The Church's health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and "hot drinks"--taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee." (Here.)

>In the 1921 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants a comma was added to verse 13. 

Pre-1921

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

Post-1921

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

I think Talmage and the rest of those involved in this "Apostles revision" made a significant change here. What do you think?

>Though verse 17 talks of "mild" barley drinks, in the 1950s then Apostle John A. Widstoe clarified that those mild drinks did not include beer.

If we only focus on the nots of the Word of Wisdom we miss out on a lot. I don't think we need science to verify the direction in the revelation to justify our adherence. As with all things, we need to know what the scriptures say--the thou shalt nots and the thou shalts, but that still leaves plenty for us to determine what the Spirit tells us individually. If the Spirit tells us to not drink caffeine, then we shouldn't drink caffeine. Perhaps the Word of Wisdom also helps us to have a more mature understanding of the gospel and recognize that sometimes the Spirit tells us one thing and the Spirit may tell someone else something very different. Our concern should be what the Spirit tells us when we have made covenants to follow the revelation. Following the Word of Wisdom will bless us physically and spiritually.