The Word Of Wisdom And Symbols Of Babylon

[pcarthew]

I believe the wow is a health code and we receive many blessings for living it. I also get that there is extremely credible research that tea, coffee, red and white wine in slight moderation are very good for your health, however moderation is rarely associated with these vices. In fact of I have a brother in law who is a police officer and works in a very difficult area where more than 80% of his time is resourced dealing with all kinds of substance abuse. He is not a member of the church, but has ceased drinking himself so he does not feel like a hypocrite when dealing with substance abusers. He wants to feel like he can with a clear conscience send to jail this who abuse substances like alcohol, feeling like he is not indulging in the same substances himself.

This had had me thinking a lot about the wow. Perhaps in Gods wisdom, it is not just a health code but similar to the restrictions the Jews has on some foods. They were in place so,when they sat down to eat they were reminded of who they were and there covenant with God.

There would not be a business breakfast, lunch or dinner where tea, coffee,wine, liquor or beer was not on offer and perhaps part of the wow was instituted for this reason too, every time we sit down in the world to eat or drink we are reminded of who we are and our covenant. Many of these products also have become great symbols of Babylon, and especially in some business settings drinking alcohol almost seems to be a sacrament of sorts, where deals are done and worldly bonds of friendship are fortified and bonded.

As I have pondered this more and more, my response in a business or social setting has been very different, I have felt very different, I feel the spirit of my covenant and explain to those I am with often in detail why I do not take coffee, tea or alcohol. The response is not always that good, but the more I am willing to share my testimony about why, the deeper I feel the wisdom, in the word of wisdom. It has recently lead to a good friend and business associate show a lot more interest in the gospel.

Any other thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated

[pmccombs1]

I also get that there is extremely credible research that tea, coffee, red and white wine in slight moderation are very good for your health, however moderation is rarely associated with these vices....

 

 Perhaps in Gods wisdom, it is not just a health code but similar to the restrictions the Jews has on some foods. They were in place so,when they sat down to eat they were reminded of who they were and there covenant with God.

 

As with all of mankind's greatest helpmates, that which we partake of can easily be turned against us. However, I think it is instructive that, no matter how deadly a vice like Alcohol can become, it still pales in comparison to the destruction wreaked by diseases of affluence brought on by the typical, meaty Western diet. Thousands upon thousands suffer and die each year as a result of entirely preventable heart disease. 

 

I should also point out that safety and moderation is never associated with any of our most powerful things. For when they are used responsibly, there is little to talk about but much to appreciate. Drugs, alcohol, firearms, automobiles, and technology will always have their fierce and justified critics. 

 

The Word of Wisdom was once wise because it required wisdom of those who presumed to live it. Now that it is a Word of Conformity, it requires nothing but obedience to a few easy bullet-points... and we still kill ourselves my the mouthful. 

 

You are right about one thing: The Word of Wisdom brings people together. It is a symbol of shared faith and brotherhood. To truly be a law of health, however, it must have the wisdom restored to it. That can only happen when it is brought into the local lives of small and inconsequential people, to interpret and live as they understand it, according to the light they have been given. As a corporate five-star standard, it has little to recommend it beyond a badge of membership in a particular order--a talking point, or curiosity for the uninitiated.

[sdc999]

I know many who obey the word of wisdom and I have no quarrels in their doing so.  I do chuckle to myself though as we all sit and eat pizza while watching the game or fight or sporting event of the night and I enjoy my cold beer while they are on their 5th or 6th slice.  Add in a 1/2 dozen wings and cheese dip..and and and..    I feel so babylonish with my couple of beers.    Heathen I am...

[Kenngo1969]

Here's the "money quote" from the Word of Wisdom:

 

18 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;

 

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

 

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

 

 21 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.

 

 

Are there physical and temporal blessings from obeying the Word of Wisdom?  Certainly.  I never have to worry about becoming addicted to (and enslaved by) a substance of which I never partake, and whatever other blessings I receive from obeying the Word of Wisdom, that would be enough.  However, the most important blessings from the Word of Wisdom are spiritual rather than temporal in nature.  And the most important reason for obeying the Word of Wisdom is because I have covenanted to do so.  (And while I believe benefits will accrue to people who keep the Word of Wisdom regardless of their membership in the Church, they aren't under the same obligation to keep it as I am, and they will not be condemned for their failure to do so.)  Whatever other blessings I receive, and whatever current medical opinion says about the benefits of consuming substances it proscribes in moderation, I know I will be blessed for keeping my covenants.   

Edited October 15, 2013 by Kenngo1969

[Kenngo1969]

I know many who obey the word of wisdom and I have no quarrels in their doing so.  I do chuckle to myself though as we all sit and eat pizza while watching the game or fight or sporting event of the night and I enjoy my cold beer while they are on their 5th or 6th slice.  Add in a 1/2 dozen wings and cheese dip..and and and..    I feel so babylonish with my couple of beers.    Heathen I am...

I agree with you that it would be hypocritical for anyone to to condemn anyone else for not obeying the Word of Wisdom while doing things which, while they might not be proscribed by the Word of Wisdom per se, are clearly inconsistent with its spirit. One of the reasons we're here in mortality is to try to learn how to subject our flesh to our spirit, rather than vice-versa, but nobody's perfect in that regard.  (I'm not rationalizing or justifying disobeying the Spirit of the Word of Wisdom ... I'm just stating a fact.)  I don't know if anyone has addressed the issue with you specifically or if the prospect of you being judged for partaking of a substance that is proscribed by the Word of Wisdom is less reality than perception, but if anybody felt the need to pass judgment on me for partaking of such substances in my own home, I would find different company.  I think such a course would be best for all concerned.

[cinepro]

I suspect it is probably much easier to live the Word of Wisdom today (in 2013) than in decades past, especially in business settings.  There is much more awareness of alcoholism (and drinking and driving) and the dangers of smoking, so much so that I've never had anyone make a comment about my declining a drink, or not smoking.  

 

And I've never had anyone find it odd that I declined coffee or tea.  Usually the only time I'm offered is after a meal at a restaurant, and it's rare that anyone at my table has the time or inclination for it.  In other situations, juice or water is usually also offered.

 

There may still be cultures and parts of the USA or other countries where this isn't so, but here in SoCal this seems to be the case.

 

Then there's this, which thankfully has never happened to me  (to be warned: there is a mildly vulgar expression in the clip):

 

Edited October 15, 2013 by cinepro