Words Of Wisdom & Common Sense Decisions

[LDSJewess]

Ok I decided to start this new thread because it is of utmost interest to me, and I would love to have a nice exchange of thoughts and ideas.

I came across this article regarding the churchs beliefs about our bodies being the Temple of the Holy Spirit: Why is it important for us to take care of our bodies? Why are our bodies called temples of God in the Bible? | Mormon.org

Quote: "Man is composed of two parts: a mortal body, and an immortal spirit. The Lord calls our body a ‘tabernacle’ or a ‘temple’ since it is the temporary residence of our eternal spirit (see Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16). Since the spirit and the body together are the soul of man (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:15), what affects one affects the other. By taking care of our bodies we make our “tabernacles” an acceptable house for our spirits. By defiling our bodies with drugs, tobacco, or unwholesome foods it affects our spirits adversely." Endquote

So here are a few of my thoughts on this:

Among LDS members there is a lot of talk among members and on forums such as this about the law of chastity and the importance of modesty. I agree with the churches views, but sometimes I feel like members concentrate on one church teaching and place the other teachings on a degree of lesser importance.

Agreed members also strive to keep the Words of Wisdom, but often so in a way that the thinking is if it isn't written specifically the rest is left for interpretation, or perhpas is hardly considered at all.

But I have to think that if the church teaches us that there is a very important purpose in coming to earth and receiving an earthly body, and if our bodies are tabernacles housing our spirits, and if we are supposed to care for our bodies and treat them with respect then why do we not take it more seriously.

Yes as Mormons we do not consume alcohol, illicit drugs, coffee, tea, and tobacco. But I have to wonder why equally harmful things like excessive sugarm salt, fats, additives and many junk foods are consumed by Mormons and why many junk food addictions are not considered to be as serious as addiction to anything else like tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

As my name implies, I am by heritage and culture Jewish and was taught to follow the Kosher dietary laws. In Jewish teachings, there were no reasons that God told us what to eat and what not to eat. Rather it was about discipline and obedience.

But now in the 21st century science has discovered why certain foods are very unhealthy for our bodies. Rather than going down the list in Leviticus, I'll just use pigs for example. They are not healthy for Jews, Gentiles, Catholics, Muslems or Latter Day Saints or anyone else.

pig is a real garbage gut. It will eat anything including urine, excrement, dirt, decaying animal flesh, maggots, or decaying vegetables. They will even eat the cancerous growths off other pigs or animals. he meat and fat of a pig absorbs toxins like a sponge. Their meat can be 30 times more toxic than beef or venison. When eating beef or venison, it takes 8 to 9 hours to digest the meat so what little toxins are in the meat are slowly put into our system and can be filtered by the liver. But when pork is eaten, it takes only 4 hours to digest the meat. We thus get a much higher level of toxins within a shorter time.

Unlike other mammals, a pig does not sweat or perspire. Perspiration is a means by which toxins are removed from the body. Since a pig does not sweat, the toxins remain within its body and in the meat. Pigs and swine are so poisonous that you can hardly kill them with strychnine or other poisons.

Now I have to wonder that if our bodies are Tabernacles, why on earth would we eat a pig?

(My thinking is God simply said don't eat it because Israel of that time would have never understood the metabolism and unhealthy habits of pigs).

Today all we have to do is google on the web and discover that excessive sugar, salt and processed foods are very unhealthy yet people feed them more and more in higher qualtities to their children at younger and younger ages. Childhood obesity and diabetes and heart disease are on the rise and are developing at younger ages with every decade.

Parents say that their children "like" the sugary, salty processed foods. But research is showing that most preschool children develop a taste for salt, sugar and fat at home, and quickly learn which types of brand-name fast foods and sodas meet these preferences.

I have to say that I cringe when I sit behind a family in church and children that are barely able to walk and their toddler siblings are munching away in sacrament meeting on cocoa puffs and sugary processed junk "treats" to keep them quiet.

So a question I am posing is this: If it is important to honor our bodies and follow the laws of chastity, if it is also essential to follow the words of wisdom, is it not equally important to follow our gift of common sense and take the time to become fully aware of what is good and wht is not good for ourselves and our children so that our bodies can truly be healthy tabernacles for our spirits to reside within?

[skippy740]

All of us are on different planes of spirituality.

Our "enforcement" of the standards of the Word of Wisdom is only on the minimal requirements of what to abstain from.

Yes, I agree that we should take better care of our bodies and watch what we eat.

But... could you imagine a bishop denying a temple recommend because someone is just too fat and their house is a mess? Could cause more inactivity and resentment instead of fostering what is good.

As you said, it's not about the medical facts for or against the requirements of the Word of Wisdom. It's about discipline and obedience - whether we will follow what the Lord has prescribed to us. There is no need to justify "why we do what we do" when we put it in that context.

We are still imperfect beings and we tend to gravitate to do the least required. As we progress, we may continue to refine what our personal minimums are. Until then, we still have human judges in Israel to help us on our way.

[Dravin]

If it is important to honor our bodies and follow the laws of chastity, if it is also essential to follow the words of wisdom, is it not equally important to follow our gift of common sense and take the time to become fully aware of what is good and wht is not good for ourselves and our children so that our bodies can truly be healthy tabernacles for our spirits to reside within?

No. I'm fairly sure if given a choice between learning how to eat healthily and learning not to engage in premarital sex (and other aspects of chastity) that failing to learn and abide by the latter is of greater spiritual consequence than the former. Not that one shouldn't take care of one's body, but they are not equally important.

Edited June 6, 2011 by Dravin

[Backroads]

When the Word of Wisdom came out, it was pretty much a suggestion. Obviously it has changed since then, and I am definitely in favor of an emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

However, as has been said, we are on different planes of spirituality. Sometimes you need to do away with what you are doing wrong before you can focus on doing what is right. Abstaining from such-n-such sexual sins are extremely important. It might be best to work on that part of your life before you start on other forms of perfection.

That being said, I agree with you: It is essential to take care of our bodies. I believe we should take more from the WoW than "do not drink coffee".

But when one has to make a choice between not having sex or not eating a candy bar...

[Backroads]

Another question... I suppose it can be agreed that some things are more important than others, but it does seem that the Church could focus on healthy lifestyles more than it does.

[estradling75]

I've come to think of the Word of Wisdom having two real parts. There is the fullness of it as found in the D&C which LDSJewess points out can cover alot of things. Then there is the minimum requirement. We get the minimum because we don't have to be perfect to get baptized or go to the temple.

The church as a whole has a very good reason to focus on the minimums because it wants people to be worthy.

That does leave a grey area between the minimums and the fullness of the Word of Wisdom, and that where the forum disagreements come in over sugar, fat, caffeine etc.

People say "if you live the Word of Wisdom you shouldn't <Insert whatever>" and other people hear "If you use <Insert whatever> you are not worthy" And then things blow up

[KrazyKay]

People say "if you live the Word of Wisdom you shouldn't <Insert whatever>" and other people hear "If you use <Insert whatever> you are not worthy" And then things blow up

I have encountered many that say things like this - usually in reference to hot chocolate, chocolate candies/cakes, and sodas (any soda, not just caffeine soda). However, I personally do not see anything wrong with hot chocolate, chocolate candies/cakes, and sodas as long as it is in moderation - and the definition of moderation I believe should be between the individual and Heavenly Father.

[Backroads]

I have encountered many that say things like this - usually in reference to hot chocolate, chocolate candies/cakes, and sodas (any soda, not just caffeine soda). However, I personally do not see anything wrong with hot chocolate, chocolate candies/cakes, and sodas as long as it is in moderation - and the definition of moderation I believe should be between the individual and Heavenly Father.

On that note... I think all of the no-nos of the WoW are probably just fine... in moderation. But when culture/chance of addiction are at such an increased risk, it's best to avoid them when there are so many other things that offer plenty of health.

I don't think the severity of moral sins should completely shadow out the law of health, but I think this is an area where members are simply going to have to become more aware.