Word of Wisdom, nothing new.

[_Drifting]

Why did it need God.....

ask God yourself.

God, like yourself, is not that big on giving substantial responses...

[_Tobin]

Actually, the Word of Wisdom is not soley about abstinence from alcohol. In fact, the only thing it says is avoid strong drink and wine (because of its suspect quality at that time) made by others. It actually says they should make their own wine and use it in the sacrament. Something they aren't doing today. I point this out sometimes for fun in GD, and people always interpret pure wine = grape juice. However, the word 'juice' existed in Joseph Smith day and it doesn't say grape juice. Also, there is no admonishment against weaker alcohol like ales, beer, and so on. In fact, when water supplies are suspect, it would be foolish not to drink those instead. I also point out that the Nephites made wine and so did Jesus (and other places in the New Testament also say these mild drinks are fine). If it were so bad, why did those groups not have a problem with it?

While I agree with most, you are wrong about strong drink and wine. It says both are not good and gives only wine an exception for sacrament, and suggests it be of your own make. The OP though is about people already in Joseph's day preaching against what Joseph put in the WoW. That it was most likely known to him, which goes against what many members believe that no one thought these kind of things, and must be evidence of Joseph's prophetic calling. It doesn't prove he didn't get it from God, but it shows that he didn't need to in order to come up with the WoW.

This is the same narrow interpretation and reading that many modern-day Mormons suffer from. The WoW is not telling them that the pure wine that they make they cannot drink. After all, anyone that knows anything about wine making knows that the person (or people in this case, the Mormons) are going to have to taste and drink the wine they make. What are they going to do? Wait to determine if it is any good until it is time for the sacrament? That is ridiculous. And if you go on to read in verse 7, you get further clarification since wine is not listed as as being "not for the belly".

Now as far as this being unique or that alcohol is all the WoW is about, that is not so. People have understood a long time that it is important to avoid nasty habits and drunkenness. It is very important to have proper nutrition and exercise as well. This is another problem with the modern Mormon interpretation of the WoW. They are hypocritical about it. How many fat overweight people (given to an addiction for fast food and sweets) are given a pass to go in the temple and they swear up and down they are keeping the WoW? If this is the Mormon worthiness test (which I really don't think it is), then they need to live by ALL parts of it and not just one small part that is misunderstood.

So, basically, if you drink beer (or pure wine) and are healthy - eat nutritional foods and exercise, I do not see anything that would preclude you from living the WoW and going to the temple. This is NOT the case or standard today in modern Mormonism and one of the reasons I have a distaste for it.

[_Drifting]

Tobin, I would dearly love to sit on the back pew with you during Gospel Doctrine Class. Although I fear we wouldn't last the full hour.

Themis is right, I am making the point that the revelation was...well... Pointless, because the principles were already being widely proselytised.

[_just me]

I got a busy signal.

That was God trying to tell Monson to stop persecuting the gays. Monson has his phone off the hook, though.

And here I thought he was doing something important, like helping someone find their car keys.

[_just me]

The stupid thing about the WoW is that it supposedly contains a promise. The promise that those who abide by it will "run and not be weary" and "not faint" and all that jazz. The problem is that this promise is not realized by many, MANY WoW followers.

[_Tobin]

Tobin, I would dearly love to sit on the back pew with you during Gospel Doctrine Class. Although I fear we wouldn't last the full hour. Themis is right, I am making the point that the revelation was...well... Pointless, because the principles were already being widely proselytised.

Well, you have focused in on only one part of the WoW in the OP, there are additional parts about tobacco, nutrition, and exercise. I was simply highlighting that the WoW covers more than alcohol. And IF your premise is that the Lord needs to give us unique commandments and advice, then that is an incredibly high bar that God fails again and again to achieve even in the Bible. After all, part of the ten commandment is thou shalt not kill. What is really unique about that or shouldn't occur to someone on their own? Was that really necessary?

[_Drifting]

Tobin, I would dearly love to sit on the back pew with you during Gospel Doctrine Class. Although I fear we wouldn't last the full hour. Themis is right, I am making the point that the revelation was...well... Pointless, because the principles were already being widely proselytised.

Well, you have focused in on only one part of the WoW in the OP, there are additional parts about tobacco, nutrition, and exercise. I was simply highlighting that the WoW covers more than alcohol. And IF your premise is that the Lord needs to give us unique commandments and advice, then that is an incredibly high bar that God fails again and again to achieve even in the Bible. After all, part of the ten commandment is thou shalt not kill. What is really unique about that or shouldn't occur to someone on their own? Was that really necessary?

The really puzzling part about the 'shalt not kill' commandment is that God subsequently went on to command quite a few people to break it.

In the OP I only pasted a portion about the WoW but I did mean it to refer to the whole entirety.

[_just me]

Where does the WoW recommend exercise?

[_Drifting]

Where does the WoW recommend exercise?

They had to omit that part for fear of losing 78% of the membership and 89% of temple (tithe paying) attendee's.

[_just me]

Where does the WoW recommend exercise?

They had to omit that part for fear of losing 78% of the membership and 89% of temple (tithe paying) attendee's.

LMFAO!

Too bad they also omitted the part where you shouldn't eat over 100 pounds of sugar a year. That could have actually been helpful.