what i believe: the word of wisdom

One thing almost universally known about Mormons is that they don't drink alcohol or coffee or use tobacco. We also don't drink tea unless it's herbal (I don't drink tea at all, mainly because it's disgusting, but also because I can't get over the indoctrination from childhood that we don't drink tea. Any form of it makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, but that's just me). One of the books of scripture that Mormons read from is called The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), a set of revelations given to Joseph Smith from God in the 1800s. In one of these revelations, the Lord tells Joseph that we shouldn't do these things, and then gives us promises. We call this commandment "The Word of Wisdom" (In D&C 89:1 it says "A Word of Wisdom for...the saints in Zion:"). Here are the verses:

5 That inasmuch as man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6 And behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7 And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.....
12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving, nevertheless they are to be used sparingly.

So basically, eat meat sparingly, no alcohol (apparently they used to use wine in the Sacrament but now we just use water), no tobacco, no hot drinks. That would make you think we also don't drink hot chocolate, but we do. And no, I don't know why there is a distinction there and I can't explain it. Sorry.

The best part of the word of wisdom to me is the promises given right after:

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 in 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.

So before it was known what alcohol did to your liver and tobacco did to your lungs and mouth, we were promised that if we stayed away from these things, we would be given health, and wisdom, and protection.

I like that the Word of Wisdom sets Mormons apart--that almost universally if you say you don't drink coffee or alcohol, people know you're a Mormon. I went to parties in high school, and if somebody offered me a drink, I could say "I'm a Mormon" and they would say "Oh, okay," and take it away. I also think the Word of Wisdom is the best diet around: "Moderation in all things" comes to mind. Don't eat too much; don't eat or use things that are bad for you; don't use drugs; don't smoke.

Something that's not explicitly in the Word of Wisdom is caffeine, which there is always a dispute about. As a kid, caffeine was a major taboo in our house--we did NOT drink it. My childhood friend Leah Atwood invited me to a birthday party once and she said "We'll go to the Coronado club to swim and have pizza and cokes." I panicked, because drinking Coke meant drinking caffeine. I said, "Leah, we can't drink coke!" (she was a Mormon) and she said, "No dummy, I meant drink sodas." What a relief. Admittedly, I occassionally drink caffeine...but I always feel guilty afterwards, and it's something I'm working on giving up completely. I even remember my first taste of a soda with caffeine in it and I felt like such a rebel. I just really love cherry coke, so that's a major weakness of mine. So while it doesn't say it in the actual scriptures, Mormons are probably supposed to stay away from caffeine--any addictive substance, really. I say this because I saw an interview on 60 Minutes with our last prophet (Gordon B. Hinckley) and Mike Wallace said, "You don't drink caffeine." and President Hinckley said, "No. Isn't it wonderful?" Out of the mouth of the prophet means we don't do it.

So there you have it. The Word of Wisdom. I'm so grateful for it. I'm so grateful for the promises given if I avoid these harmful substances. I believe in the Word of Wisdom.