The Lord’s Law of Health Doctrine & Covenants 89

Have you ever had to explain to someone why you do not drink alcohol, tea, or coffee or use tobacco? THE WORD OF WISDOM

“The first school of the prophets was held in a small room situated over the Prophet Joseph's kitchen, in a house which belonged to Bishop Whitney.... When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry.” (Brigham Young: JD, Vol. 12, p. 158) WHY WAS THE WORD OF WISDOM REVEALED?

1. What is Lord’s counsel about what is not good for the body? 2. What is the lord’s counsel about what is good for the body? 3. What are the promised blessings for obedience to the word of wisdom? 1. What is Lord’s counsel about what is not good for the body? 2. What is the lord’s counsel about what is good for the body? 3. What are the promised blessings for obedience to the word of wisdom? Overview… Read Doctrine and Covenants 89:1–3 Read Doctrine and Covenants 89:4

Eating Vegan Gluten Free Energy Drinks eCigarettes Green Tea Corn Syrup Anti Depressants What do you what the buzz is about these current health trends? Immunizations Hemp Oil Chocolate shortage Trans Fats Detox Chia Seeds Crossfit Training

1. What is Lord’s counsel about what is not good for the body? 2. What is the lord’s counsel about what is good for the body? 3. What are the promised blessings for obedience to the word of wisdom? 1. What is Lord’s counsel about what is not good for the body? 2. What is the lord’s counsel about what is good for the body? 3. What are the promised blessings for obedience to the word of wisdom? Overview Read Doctrine and Covenants 89:1–3 Read Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21

History Fall Brigham Young proposed that all Saints formally covenant to abstain from tea, coffee, tobacco, and whiskey. October 13, The Lord revealed to President John Taylor that the Word of Wisdom was to be considered a commandment. In 1919 the First Presidency, under President Heber J. Grant, made the observance of the Word of Wisdom a requirement for receiving a temple recommend.

Random Facts about our bodies

dribble 154 quarts of saliva before its first birthday. During our lifetime, we will…

crawl 93 miles before age 2. During our lifetime, we will…

after age 2, learn a new word every two hours for the next 10 years. During our lifetime, we will…

fall in love twice.

During our lifetime, we will… be able to put names to around 2,000 faces, but only consider about 150 as friends.

During our lifetime, we will… spend five solid years eating and drinking.

During our lifetime, we will… walk 14,000 miles.

During our lifetime, we will… spend a year traveling in a car.

During our lifetime, we will… spend 22 years sleeping.

During our lifetime, we will… blink 415 million times.

During our lifetime, we will… spend over 12 years watching TV.

During our lifetime, we will… grow 30 yards of fingernails.

During our lifetime, we will… spend two solid weeks kissing.

 The Word of Wisdom Write down everything you remember eating in the past 48 hours

The Word of Wisdom Eat Avoid

Eat Avoid Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-17

The Word of Wisdom Eat Avoid Herbs (vegetables) Fruits Grains Meat (sparingly) Alcohol Tobacco Coffee Tea

Statements on our spirit/body connections “… The condition of the body limits the expression of the spirit. The spirit speaks through the body and only as the body permits. … Hence, if the body is in poor condition, man must strengthen it as the days increase; if it is strong from the beginning, he must make it stronger (John A. Widtsoe, A Rational Theology, 5th ed, p. 171).

Lessons Learned

Shortly after my mother and I were baptized, she began working as a registered nurse. As a single parent, she didn’t have time to cook, so we began eating more processed and fast foods. Although I was only 12, my health began to decline. I didn’t have the energy I once had. I felt tired and anxious. I gained weight. I asked my mom how I could get into better shape. Hoping for a medical response, I was a little surprised when she simply said, “Live the principles of the Word of Wisdom.” I thought she would give me advice on calories and carbohydrates and fats, but her answer was exactly what I needed. For family home evening the following Monday, we reviewed Doctrine and Covenants 89 and outlined an eating and activity plan. Our lifestyle change was dramatic. We both began to feel healthier and happier. I noticed more peace in my life and more quiet promptings from the Holy Ghost. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father, who wants to communicate with us. I know now that we must be prepared physically and spiritually to receive sacred, personal revelations. Eric D. Richards, Utah, USA (Ensign, June 2009)

Remember… The principle “Everything harmful is not specifically listed; arsenic, for instance—certainly bad, but not habit forming! He who must be commanded in all things, the Lord said, is a slothful and not a wise servant” (D&C 58:26). (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Elder Boyd K. Packer: April 1996, pp. 22-3) 1 Corinthians 3:16

Lessons on health Foods That Look Like Body Parts They're Good For

Food Clues

Remember… The promise Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21 You Will Be Freed Video Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all can be transformed, cleansed, and freed from addiction. (2:55)

Remember… “We will be taught important truths by the Holy Ghost through revelation. The Lord also promises that the destroying angel shall pass us by…For observing the Word of Wisdom the reward is life, not only prolonged mortal life, but life eternal” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 211).

Remember… “The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings.” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,”Ensign, May 1996, 18, emphasis added)

The Lord’s Law of Health Doctrine & Covenants 89