Subject: Re: [LDSS] Word of Wisdom lesson 22 Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 02:22:07 -0700 From: "Frank Maxwell" To: I think it's helpful to remember that the phrase "obey [or observe or keep] the Word of Wisdom" can mean 2 different things: 1. "Refrain from using any substance prohibited by the Word of Wisdom". This refers specifically to the prohibitions against alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. This is the traditional and common meaning of the phrase, and is the way we seem to have been using it thus far in this forum. Or 2. "Live all the principles taught in D&C 89." This refers to doing more than just refraining from prohibited substances. In the Millennial Star quote [from the Feb. 1, 1852 edition], Brigham Young seems to be using Meaning #1. He was asking the Saints to promise, by raising the right hand, to stop using tea, coffee, tobacco, and whisky. I think Pres. Heber Grant was doing the same thing: trying to get the Saints to stop partaking of substances that the Word of Wisdom specifically prohibits. But since those days, I think that there has been a subtle change in focus, of which could be said, he or she who wishes to hear, let him or her hear. I say that because, in my lifetime, the Word of Wisdom interview questions have changed. In the 1970s, when I was interviewed for Aaronic Priesthood ordinations, and to become a missionary and go to the temple, the question I was asked was something like: "Do you refrain from partaking of any substance prohibited by the Word of Wisdom, such as coffee, tea, alcohol, or tobacco?" Now, in a temple recommend interview, the question is different: "Do you live the Word of Wisdom?" I think the current question reflects Meaning #2. I think it can be construed to mean more than just refraining from tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea. For instance, I think it can raise the issue of whether we are eating meat sparingly -- an issue each of us has to judge individually, since it's not an either/or question. Four years ago, when I taught the Gospel Doctrine lesson on D&C 89, we talked about these issues. I brought in a poster of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture food pyramid, which shows that meat should be eaten much less often than fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The USDA food pyramid has replaced the old "basic four food groups" idea (in which one food group was meat, and in which you needed to eat from all 4 food groups every meal). I told my class I thought there are 2 possible ways to interpret D&C 89:12-5 regarding "eating meat sparingly": 1. Verse 12 says we're supposed to eat animal flesh (meat) "sparingly". The phrases in verses 13 ("pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine") and 15 ("made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger") should be construed as a DEFINITION of what "sparingly" means. OR 2. The clauses in verses 13 and 15 should NOT be construed as a definition of "sparingly". Rather, they are additional contexts in which eating animal flesh is permissible. In other words, either (1) we should eat flesh sparingly, which means only in times of winter, cold, or famine; OR (2) we should only eat flesh sparingly, and in times of winter, cold, and famine. As far as I know, there has been no General Authority statement to say which one of these interpretations is correct. Obviously, under the first interpretation of "sparingly", you would eat less meat than you would under the second interpretation of "sparingly". For purposes of discussion, we assumed that the second interpretation of "sparingly" was correct. I then posed the rhetorical question of how often we would be eating meat if we were really eating it sparingly. So, assuming that it's not winter, and you're not cold, and not living through a famine, how often is "sparingly"? Every other meal? 1 in 3 meals? 1 in 10 meals? Obviously, eating meal at 100% of one's meals would not be "sparingly". Eating meat at 50% of one's meals probably isn't "sparingly" either. The "eating meat sparingly" issue is something that people can easily get defensive about. That's why I brought in outside information, such as the USDA food pyramid, and also statistics on how meat (specifically beef) consumption has declined in the U.S. over the past 30 years. (Sorry I don't have the statistics to share with you here.) Also, while discussing this, some people think that vegetarianism is being advocated, and so they bring up D&C 49:18-19 to prove that eating meat is okay. I think that's a bit of an overreaction, because "eating meat sparingly" is not the same as "being a vegetarian", although someone who is eating meat sparingly might have lots of meatless (or vegetarian) meals. If D&C 49:18-19 comes up, I would refer them to the following verses in D&C 49:20-21, and to footnote 21a, which has the following quote from JST, Gen. 9:11: "And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands." Furthermore, it should be noted that D&C 49 was a revelation addressed directly to the Shakers, a group that believed that Christ had specifically told them to not eat pork. I don't think D&C 49:18-19 prohibits vegetarianism; rather, it says that any man who says that God tells you to abstain from meat is not ordained of God, because that's not God's doctrine. It should be seen as directly refuting Shaker doctrine. However, it does not prohibit a person's voluntary choice to become a vegetarian (for medical or ethical reasons), so long as that person refrains from preaching his voluntary choice as divine doctrine. A person's voluntary commitment to be a vegetarian should be seen as the equivalent of the Anti-Nephi-Lehite's voluntary renunciation of all violence, and should be respected. If I were teaching this lesson this year, I probably would not bring up any horror stories about unsanitary conditions in the meat industry, or factory farming, or excessive levels of hormones or antibiotics in most American meat. However, if a class member brought up one of these points, I would acknowledge it, and tie it in to D&C 89:4 ("evils and designs which will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days"). Paying attention to the Lord's warnings makes good sense, spiritually and physically. Regards, Frank Maxwell famax@gte.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - LDS Seminar LDSS list at LDSCN