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by Neil David Holland (Author)
Personal revelation and the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood clarify the Word of Wisdom (WoW)A study of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' (the Church) administration of the WoW found in Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) 89, from the Prophet Joseph Smith (JS) to present. A personal revelation is included, but binding Church WoW standards are the Prophet's stewardship. JS to Present: Under JS, WoW obedience was required to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and be leaders. JS opposed "abstinence" for all as "pharisaical." After JS's death, Church leaders fell into disobedience. Brigham Young and following prophets debated the WoW was a commandment, for the Lord said it was "not by commandment or constraint, but ... the order and will of God." The Church claim that the WoW became a commandment by vote at an 1851 Conference is not supported by the records. Minutes record members "covenant(ed) to leave off the use of tobacco, whisky, and all things mentioned in the WoW." In Oct. General Conference, 1862, Brigham Young admitted becoming obedient in 1860. In 1877, he required those receiving temple recommends, "must observe and keep the WoW according to the Spirit and meaning thereof." The standard was not maintained.In 1921, Heber J. Grant again required obedience for a temple recommend and in 1930 for missionaries, thus restoring JS's standard. However, he later broke the JS standard by requiring obedience for investigators and all members. No revelation making the WoW a "commandment for all" was published or claimed. Church Handbooks prior to December 2020 went well beyond the Lord's proscribed "wine or strong drink ... tobacco ... (and) hot drinks (defined as tea and coffee by JS)." It stated, "Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. Nor should members use harmful or habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician" (Handbook 38.7.13). There were no published or claimed revelations expanding the Lord's proscriptions. However, the Lord's proscription that the "flesh also of beasts and ... fowls ... (are) to be used sparingly ... only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine" is not referenced and receives little emphasis. Because the WoW allows fish and animal products such as milk and eggs, and "flesh also of beasts and ... fowls ... used sparingly," the WoW is not veganism or vegetarianism.The Lord's Priesthood Word of Wisdom Standard: Preparing for the Sacrament in May 2018, the Lord said to me, "Anything that doth enslave the soul of man is not of God, but of him that desireth that all men might be miserable like unto himself." The Lord's administrative guideline (D&C 89:1-3), debated since JS, is actually precise and provides a transition to obedience for persons baptized into the Church. I call this The Lord's Priesthood Word of Wisdom Standard. It was practiced by JS, but not today. The covenants of baptism include one to "keep His commandments" (Mosiah 18:8-10). The Lord declared the WoW to be "not by commandment or constraint." Therefore, it must not be required for baptism which qualifies us for the Celestial Kingdom. But His WoW also "(shows) forth the order and will of God" with two meanings:1.The natural order. Following the natural "order and will of God" provides "temporal salvation."2."the holiest order of God" (D&C 84: 18) is entered through Priesthood ordination or Temple ordinances. Through the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood and obedience to "every word (of wisdom) ... from ... God" (D&C 84: 33-48 33-48]) we may be exalted. How would The Lord's Priesthood Word of Wisdom Standard be Administered?As in JS's day, those under addictions that are not sin (e.g. smoker), could be baptized into the Church and be "nourished by the good word of God" and the gift of the Holy Ghost, as they rely upon the Savior's atonement for recovery. WoW obedience will apply to those embracing the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. President Nelson's Dec
