Sermoncitos, a family tradition
Word of Wisdom
I just heard the news: the most famous expert on the qualities of fine beers has died of a heart attack at age 65 after suffering 10 years with Parkinsons Disease. Most people my age are like that, suffering more than their share, due to substances they were long addicted to. I remember when I turned 50, I told my father, “I guess I’m over the hill”. Thinking of his uncle who lived over 100 he said, “you are only half way, you had better start taking care of yourself; you don’t want to have a bad second half”. I have had my share of ups and downs, but since my health is generally good, I always recover soon and well. My father stayed healthy and active until he suddenly passed on at age 90.
When I was a teenager I received a patriarchal blessing that served as “a guiding light throughout [my] life and [gave to me] a stronger desire to live according to the principles of the gospel and an insight into [my] eternal past, the present, and things which [would] be of value in [my] future life.” It was a spiritual blessing with advice that would help me in this mortal life: “Roy, always remember to observe the Word of Wisdom and adhere to the counsel given in this inspired revelation and live this commandment, and if you do, you will enjoy health and strength and shall run and not be weary and shall walk and not faint.”
When I was young, it seemed like everyone I knew ate whatever they wanted and used coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco. It was in later years that the scientific evidence mounted in support of the revelation received by Joseph Smith in 1833. For 150 years our family observed this Word of Wisdom as a token of a covenant with spiritual blessings. Now most of these are part of popular culture: people live longer, so they are motivated to take better care of themselves. For a long time it was peculiar to live such a healthy life style. Now at least we are not persecuted for making good choices.
However, we are still different. Sometimes it is peculiar to turn down an offer of iced tea on a warm day. Our choice is to trust the Lord and obey a commandment. We don’t need any scientific evidence to convince us, because we know that doing this is “the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days”. The Lord gave us this principle of action with a promise “in consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days”. We should consider ourselves “warned and forewarned”.
The Lord has always given advice about health, or included foods in covenants with people throughout time. Consider Isaiah 5:11, Proverbs 20:1, Deuteronomy 14:2-21, Acts 10:14, Ephesians 5:18, Romans 14:20-21, Isaiah 5:11, Proverbs 20:1, and Romans 14:17. Don’t forget what made Daniel and his friends different in their leadership school. They had covenanted not to eat and drink the king’s meat and wine. They persuaded the cook to give them what the Lord had commanded. Their miraculous success in health, strength, and academics may have more to do with their willingness to trust the Lord than with what they ate (Daniel 1:6-20).
Now, 174 years after the Word of Wisdom was revealed to Joseph Smith, the commandments and counsels of this revelation are tokens of our covenant. We avoid all coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol in order to show the Lord we are willing to trust Him. The Lord’s plan for building the faith that brings blessings always requires action on our part. It is not really a sacrifice to avoid addictive substances and eat well, for there are blessings: those who follow Section 89, “walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health…wisdom…knowledge…” and more.
September is the month of freedom: 9 September 1850 New Mexico became a Territory of the U.S. 11 September 2005 was designated Patriot’s Day. 14 September 1814 is the birthday of the National Anthem. 16 September 1810 began the independence movement of New Spain. 17 September 1787 is the birthday of the U.S. Constitution. 23 September 2007 is when we first use our new building.
As we celebrate our freedoms this month let us renew our covenant to obey the Lord’s law that makes us free of substances by studying and living the Word of Wisdom. Let us enter our clean new building on September 23 with a resolve to make our bodies clean and welcoming dwellings for the Lord’s Spirit. Let’s obey a simple commandment that will make us free. Let’s show the Lord we are willing to follow Him, and thus, qualify for His blessing and protection. As you resolve to trust the Lord, you will prosper, not only in the new building, but in your family, your job, your health and personal life.
The Lord's Law of Health
1 Corinthians 3
16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1. The Lord has always given advice about health, or included foods in covenants with people throughout time.
a. Isaiah 5:11 don't drink too much
b. Proverbs 20:1 avoid wine and strong drink
c. Deuteronomy 14:2-21 and Acts 10:14 tell what meat to eat
d. Ephesians 5:18 avoid drunkedness
e. Romans 14:20-21 don't eat or drink anything that makes you weak
f. Proverbs 20:1 cautions that alcohol will deceive you
g. Romans 14:17 don't seek food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
2. Daniel and his friends were different from other students in the Babylon leadership school (Daniel 1:6-20).
a. They had covenanted not to eat and drink the king’s meat and wine.
b. They persuaded the cook to give them what the Lord had commanded.
c. Their miraculous success in health, strength, and academics may have more to do with their willingness to trust the Lord than with what they ate
3. Now, 176 years after the Word of Wisdom was revealed to Joseph Smith, the commandments and counsels of this revelation are tokens of our covenant.
a. We avoid all coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol in order to show the Lord we are willing to trust Him.
b. The Lord’s plan for building the faith that brings blessings always requires action on our part.
c. It is not really a sacrifice to avoid addictive substances and eat well, for there are blessings: those who follow Section 89, “walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health…wisdom…knowledge…” and more.
4. Be healthy
a. Cease to be idle
b. cease to be unclean
c. cease to sleep longer than is needful
d. retire to thy bd early, that ye may not be weary
e. arise early that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated
f. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work
g. Do no more work that you have strength for
5. As we celebrate our freedoms this month let us renew our covenant to obey the Lord’s law that makes us free of substances by studying and living the Word of Wisdom.
a. Let us go forward with a resolve to make our bodies clean and welcoming dwellings for the Lord’s Spirit.
b. Let’s obey a simple commandment that will make us free.
c. Let’s show the Lord we are willing to follow Him, and thus, qualify for His blessing and protection.
d. As you resolve to trust the Lord, you will prosper in your family, your job, your health and personal life.