The Word of Wisdom

Your Body is a Temple!

It's a late chilly night and the Potter family flies on their Nimbus 2000's to the nearest waffle shop. They're fingers are numb, and their noses are cold after brilliantly fun, snowy game of Quidditch. The family sits down happily in a booth and start searching the menu. A waiter walks up and asks "could I interest you in any coffee?" All the kids shake their heads. "No thank you" says Harry kindly. "Alright, any tea?" The kids all shake their heads again. "No that'll be alright" Harry answers again. "Well any alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs?" Shaking of the heads. "Nah I think we'll just have 5 hot chocolates and waffle dinners please. Thank you very much though." The waiter is stunned. "Who are you people?" he whispers. "Us? Well we're just your average Mormons! We treat our bodies like temples because our Lord bought them with a price."
  

Ok so maybe this a little dramatic, but it's straight to the point. We all know you've heard those crazy Mormons don't drink soda, or have any fun in their lives. Rumors have spread that they'll turn you into their police if you drink around them. Well my friends, lets put all these rumors to rest and figure out, together, the real reason why Mormons follow a strict health code.  (Also sorry it's in italics... the computer apparently wants to look pretty.)

"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 unto you this word of wisdom by revelation" D&C 89:4

When we are addicted to substances we have a hard time focusing on other things; especially the spirit. Think about the last time you were hungry; starving! You know that the only thing you could focus on was the nearest McDonald's. Maybe the person on the side of the road that needed help, was not even noticed! Maybe you were short with your child who just needed "to tell you somethin' daddy!"  This is the same with addictive substances. The famous 5 that I talked about at the beginning: coffee, tea, alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco. When these things are in our lives, the spirit is not. God has told us this in the scriptures. Addiction to these things also results in a very hard time hearing the spirit!

The word of wisdom not only focuses the things that we shouldn't have, but the things we should have! The Lord explains that we need to use meat sparingly, and that fruits, vegetables, and grains are for our benefit. How lucky are we to have this! We know exactly what's healthy for us and what isn't.

Heavenly Father promises us so many blessings if we obey the Word of Wisdom:

 "And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen."   D&C 89: 18-21

Aren't those amazing blessings? I can give up a trip to the local coffee shop for "great treasures of knowledge". Maybe that will help me with my chemistry! I think the coolest thing is that these revelations came in the 1800's, before there was scientific evidence to show how harmful coffee, tea, tobacco, and illegal drugs were. The only explanation is that Heavenly Father saw what was coming, as He always does. He knows exactly what is best for the bodies that He gave us. I am so grateful for that. 

What is the Word of Wisdom?

http://www.lds.org/topics/word-of-wisdom

Revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants-

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89