Word of Wisdom as intended health advice

[_moksha]

Here are more thoughts from Mormon philosopher Bill:

In a nutshell, it's said that Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord about healthy foods after hearing complaints about messes left behind by coffee-swilling, tea-guzzling, tobacco chewing, cigar-smoking brethren who were driving the sisters to distraction.

Not surprisingly, this New Englander who was trying to be supportive of his wife got a "revelation" that not only warned against "wine and strong drink," as well as tobacco, but spoke of "hot drinks" which are neither good "for the body or the belly."

Trying to interpret the Word of Wisdom, with any sense of logic or integrity, is more complicated than it looks. On the face of it, the denunciation of "hot drinks" should mean what it says - taking a swipe at hot coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa, hot cider and warm milk. But within a generation of its utterance, as the Word of Wisdom became a commandment (notwithstanding the meaning of its title, which was intended to contrast its message with that of a commandment) - "hot drinks" would become a term of art. As eventually understood, it would not literally mean "hot drinks" but the most popular of "hot drinks" - coffee and tea. Not only would it be okay to imbibe hot cider, hot chocolate, warm milk or even hot Postum, it would NOT be okay to drink tea or coffee - even if served cold or even iced up.

This peculiar hostility against all forms of coffee and tea would give rise to future questions about colas and other caffeinated drinks. In trying to figure out what was so bad about coffee and tea, enough to make them more relevant than whether another drink was served hot, it would eventually come out that both drinks contain caffeine, which is both mood altering (though in a mild way) and addictive (though in an equally mild way).

But if coffee and tea were only bad because of caffeine, a strange shift would again occur - as significance as the shift from "hot drinks" to coffee and tea. If caffeine was really the culprit, it meant that saints could safely drink decaffeinated coffee and tea, but could point the finger of scorn at those who drank soft drinks, like Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda. The Church has since made clear that caffeinated sodas are not violations of the Word of Wisdom, though it has also stated that this does not mean anybody should drink them. On this issue, according to the Church, each person should consult the Spirit.

And that's where I feel the tickle - or maybe the tingle - of spiritual irony. Taken literally, the Word of Wisdom produces a great deal of confusion and new-speak. We've got a revelation called the Word of Wisdom that, according to its own language, is not to be construed as a commandment (but as a word of wisdom) but one now considered enough of a commandment to determine who gets a temple recommend. Then, among those substances a latter-day saint should not imbibe are "hot drinks." But "hot drinks" don't mean all drinks that are hot. They mean coffee and tea, even when they're cold. Even then, since caffeine is the major ingredient common to both, it's commonly understood that one could drink decaffeinated versions of tea and coffee. However, that kind of thinking would imply that caffeinated sodas - like Coke and Pepsi - should be added to the Word of Wisdom, even though they're hardly "hot drinks." Even so, the word has come down that caffeinated sodas can't be added to the list. They are, however, drinks for which the average member should be careful about. In other words, there's no commandment against drinking them, just a "word of wisdom."

What a mass of contradictions!

But imagine what happens to the Word of Wisdom when we let go of our obsession with reading it "literally." What if, in fact, the whole list were nothing more than an object lesson about health? No doubt, the items on this list were not that unlike the objects on the lists of other Restorationist utopians. But what if the point of the Word of Wisdom had less to do with ticking off a list of prohibited foods than with starting a discussion, a discussion that used specific items to draw attention to broader categories demonstrating the link between nutrition, health and spirituality?

On one end of the spectrum, you have wine and strong drink (sedatives). On the other, you have "hot drinks" (stimulants). Alcohol and drugs are associated with a lot of societal misery but I've yet to come across anybody who was ever killed by a cup of coffee or a glass of tea. This seems a tad excessive. When over-eager Mormons declare war on a can of soda, it gets even more ridiculous.

But if you look at the Word of Wisdom as a guide, rather than a set of hard-and-fast commandments, a lot of this absurdity evaporates. What's the principle behind it all? Isn't it moderation and care? With all of the nasty junk - from diet pills to ding dongs - that gets consumed on a regular basis, isn't the point simply that the body is a wondrous gift to be handled with care?

It's when we get beyond the literal interpretations that the Word of Wisdom begins to make real sense. If wine and strong drink represent sedatives and "hot drinks" represent all the stimulants pushed upon us - and we view both with vigilance and care, what's in-between is a world of fruits, vegetables and grains, with an admonition to take it easy on the meat. What you have here is a 19th-Century food pyramid.

A cup of coffee isn't going to kill you, nor is the wine Joseph had - to calm his nerves - in the hours before his murder. But there are foods to embrace and foods to watch out for - and the principle behind it all is thoughtfulness.

[_Gadianton]

Who is "Bill"?

It's not a bad little piece, I mean, defending Joseph Smith isn't easy and this is about as good as any.

There are a couple problems with it though. First, what good is a canonized prophecy that reduces to, "use your judgement?" No doubt not a bad prophecy as prophecies go, but is it worth 10% of your income?

The most substantial problem with Bill's explanation though is that no bishop anywhere is going to give you a temple recommend for living the food pyramid. You will need to, in fact, fanatically avoid tea, coffee, and alcohol.

[_Inconceivable]

What comes to my mind is the obese brother or sister Jones bearing their testimony of the word of wisdom on fast Sunday. Ending their fast that day will be a feast - a makeup for kind-of not eating (much) for 2 or so meals. But who's counting? Five bucks in the fast offering envelope for the urchins in the ward or the 3rd world and all is justified.

No doubt in my mind they will die of heart disease after a couple bandaids we technically call by-pass surgery.

(anyone notice I'm in a particularly agravated mood tonight?)

[_The Dude]

Great stuff! I might have to send this to my TBM family, since I'm going to Utah soon and they're liable to see me drinking a cup of joe.

The most substantial problem with Bill's explanation though is that no bishop anywhere is going to give you a temple recommend for living the food pyramid. You will need to, in fact, fanatically avoid tea, coffee, and alcohol.

In a sense, rigidly believing members are saying, "A food pyramid! We have got a food pyramid, and need no more food pyramid."

[_The Nehor]

What comes to my mind is the obese brother or sister Jones bearing their testimony of the word of wisdom on fast Sunday. Ending their fast that day will be a feast - a makeup for kind-of not eating (much) for 2 or so meals. But who's counting? Five bucks in the fast offering envelope for the urchins in the ward or the 3rd world and all is justified.

No doubt in my mind they will die of heart disease after a couple bandaids we technically call by-pass surgery.

(anyone notice I'm in a particularly agravated mood tonight?)

That annoys you too?

There has been a shift in teaching the Word of Wisdom to focus more of what the whole thing says as opposed to being psychotic about a few things you can't have.

I'll fall back on my understanding. If you can't run to the store without getting weary using one of those carts and can't walk from the sofa to the fridge without having to catch your breath to avoid fainting....you're doing something wrong (barring pre-existing medical conditions). You may have a recommend but you're not keeping the Word of Wisdom. Who's condemned more? The obese one who lies to get a recommend or the honest tea-drinker who doesn't?

[_Who Knows]

Who's condemned more? The obese one who lies to get a recommend or the honest tea-drinker who doesn't?

Heehee. Why don't you ask that question in sunday school? I'd love to hear the answers.

[_Inconceivable]

After every fireside or any other church sponsered event with "refreshments":

"..and Lord, please bless this food we are about to partake of (fudge brownies, chocolate sundaes, sugar cookies, Koolaid etc.) that it might nurish and strengthen our bodies and do us the good that we need..".

In other words, "OH GOD, please perform a miracle - that whatever kills non-mormons will have the opposite effect on we, thy chosen people..".

Gag.

[_The Nehor]

Who's condemned more? The obese one who lies to get a recommend or the honest tea-drinker who doesn't?

Heehee. Why don't you ask that question in sunday school? I'd love to hear the answers.

I did once, good discussion followed. I didn't use the word obese though but that was the general direction. In fact 2 years ago in Stake Conference the Stake President spoke on this very topic and told us that many of us were living unhealthily and were told to balance our diets and exercise more (if we weren't already).

[_The Nehor]

After every fireside or any other church sponsered event with "refreshments":

"..and Lord, please bless this food we are about to partake of (fudge brownies, chocolate sundaes, sugar cookies, Koolaid etc.) that it might nurish and strengthen our bodies and do us the good that we need..".

In other words, "OH GOD, please perform a miracle - that whatever kills non-mormons will have the opposite effect on we, thy chosen people..".

Gag.

Sugar is a vital part of my being nourished and strengthened.

Admittedly I do belong to a small cult attached secretly to the LDS Church that teaches that great visions and revelations come to those who drink 3 2-Liter bottles of Mountain Dew and eat at least 12 hoho's in one night.

[_silentkid]

Admittedly I do belong to a small cult attached secretly to the LDS Church that teaches that great visions and revelations come to those who drink 3 2-Liter bottles of Mountain Dew and eat at least 12 hoho's in one night.

Was this before or after you got kidney stones?