Purpose
To encourage class members to obey the counsel in the Word of Wisdom, as well as the Lord’s other counsel about physical health.Preparation
- Prayerfully study the following scriptures and other materials:
- Doctrine and Covenants 89 (the Word of Wisdom).
- Doctrine and Covenants 49:19–21; 59:15–21; 88:124 (supplemental scriptures).
- Our Heritage, pages 25–26.
- Review the material for this lesson in the Class Member Study Guide.
- To gain a greater understanding of historical events related to the doctrine in this lesson, consider reviewing the following:
- "The Word of Wisdom."
- Additional historical material for this lesson.
- Gospel Topics Word of Wisdom
- You may want to bring pictures of wholesome foods to use in the third section of the lesson.
Questions to Ponder
1. Why was the Word of Wisdom revealed?
- Heavenly Father has provided our bodies for a divine purpose. They are a necessary part of His plan for our eternal progression. Because of their importance, Heavenly Father has given us a stewardship to care for them. In our dispensation, as in ancient times, He has revealed principles of good health to help us keep our bodies clean and pure. Our obedience to these principles is an indication of our love for Him and an expression of our gratitude.
- Read 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 and 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.
- Why is it important that we care for our bodies?
- Our bodies are temples and are holy to the Lord. We should keep them pure because they are the dwelling places for our spirits, which are the offspring of God. Respecting our bodies as temples of God manifests our testimony that we are children of God. It also keeps our bodies pure so they can be dwelling places for the Holy Ghost. How we care for our physical bodies affects us spiritually.
- Why is it important that we care for our bodies?
- Read D&C 89:4.
- What does this verse teach about the Lord's reasons for giving the Word of Wisdom?
- What are some examples of "evils and designs … in the hearts of conspiring men" with regard to the harmful substances mentioned in the Word of Wisdom?
- Examples include misrepresentations made in advertising and entertainment that using these substances is associated with happiness and success.
- How is the Word of Wisdom a manifestation of God's love for us?
- How is it a manifestation of Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet and seer?
- Explain that the Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom to the Prophet Joseph Smith long before the accuracy of its principles was fully documented in scientific studies. This revelation anticipated the current epidemic of substance abuse. It forewarns and protects us against specific problems of our day.
- The Lord has not specified everything that we should and should not partake of. "Such revelation is unnecessary,"
- President Joseph Fielding Smith said. "The Word of Wisdom is a basic law. It points the way and gives us ample instruction in regard to both food and drink. … If we sincerely follow what is written with the aid of the Spirit of the Lord, … we will know what is good and what is bad for the body" ("Your Question: The Word of Wisdom," Improvement Era, Feb. 1956, 78–79).
- Not for the Body.
b. D&C 89:8. (Tobacco.)
c. D&C 89:9. (Hot drinks, defined as tea and coffee.)
- In addition to these substances, we should not:
b. Use any other habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician.
c. Misuse prescription and other drugs.
- What are some of the consequences of using these harmful substances?
- The First Presidency declared: "Drunken with strong drink, men have lost their reason; their counsel has been destroyed; their judgment and vision are fled. … Drink has brought more woe and misery, broken more hearts, wrecked more homes, committed more crimes, filled more coffins, than all the wars the world has suffered" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1942, 8).
- Each year tobacco use causes nearly 2.5 million premature deaths worldwide. Tobacco use also harms millions of innocent victims. For example, smoking by pregnant mothers passes on toxic chemicals that interfere with fetal development, afflicting approximately 3 million babies each year. These babies have lower birth weight and increased risk for neurological and intellectual delays and for premature death. Other innocent victims include nonsmokers who regularly inhale secondhand smoke. These people have much higher rates of respiratory illness and are three times more likely to die of lung cancer than those who do not inhale secondhand smoke. Smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes, and users of smokeless tobacco have cancer rates up to fifty times higher than those who do not use tobacco. (See James O. Mason, "I Have a Question," Ensign, Sept. 1986, 59–61.)
- The use of substances that are forbidden in the Word of Wisdom is increasing in many parts of the world, especially among youth.
- How does advertising entice people to use these substances?
- What false messages are included in such advertisements.
- How do peers and other people entice people to use these substances?
- How can we resist appeals such as "Just a little won't hurt," "Just once won't hurt," "Everyone else does this," and "No one else will know."
- What are some other ways people are tempted to use these substances?
- How does advertising entice people to use these substances?
- How can seemingly small violations of the Word of Wisdom be damaging?
- How can we strengthen ourselves against temptations to use harmful substances?
- How can youth help each other obey the Word of Wisdom?
- How can parents effectively teach their children about the Word of Wisdom and help them obey it? (See the Family Home Evening Resource Book [31106], pages 228–31.)
- The harmful substances that are prohibited in the Word of Wisdom cause addiction.
- Why are addictions to these substances dangerous?
- How can people overcome addiction to drugs and other harmful substances?
- There is hope for people who struggle with addiction. Overcoming addiction usually requires great personal desire and discipline, together with repentance and help from the Lord. Family, friends, and Church leaders may also provide help, and in some cases professional help may be necessary.
- Good for the Body.
b. D&C 89:11. (Fruit.)
c. D&C 89:12; see also D&C 49:19. (Flesh of beasts and fowls.)
d. D&C 89:14–17. (Grains.)
e. D&C 88:124. (Retiring to bed early and rising early—getting adequate sleep.)
- What does it mean to use food "with prudence"? (D&C 89:11; see also D&C 59:18–20)
- Answers could include that we should eat food that nourishes our bodies and use moderation in the kind and amount of food we eat.
- What does it mean to use food "with … thanksgiving"? (D&C 89:11).
- How can we show the Lord our gratitude for the food He provides us?
- What guidelines has the Lord given for using meat? (See D&C 89:12; see also D&C 49:19, 21.)
- What guidelines has the Lord given for using grains? (See D&C 89:14, 16.)
- What counsel has the Lord given regarding sleep? (See D&C 88:124.)
- How does getting adequate sleep affect us physically and spiritually?
- President Brigham Young said: "Instead of doing two days' work in one day, wisdom would dictate to [the Saints] that if they desire long life and good health, they must, after sufficient exertion, allow the body to rest before it is entirely exhausted. When exhausted, some argue that they need stimulants. … But instead of these kind of stimulants they should recruit by rest" (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 187).
- How does getting adequate sleep affect us physically and spiritually?
- The Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom as "a principle with promise" (D&C 89:3).
- Promised Blessings.
b. D&C 89:19. (Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge.)
c. D&C 89:20. (The ability to run and not be weary and walk and not faint.)
d. D&C 89:21. (Protection from the destroying angel.)
- How have you been blessed as you have obeyed the Word of Wisdom?
- Those who obey the Word of Wisdom will generally live longer and have a better quality of life than if they did not obey it. However, some people have severe illnesses or disabilities despite obeying the Word of Wisdom. These people can receive the spiritual blessings of obeying the Word of Wisdom even if their physical difficulties continue. Moreover, the Lord's promises are for eternity, and those who do not receive all the promised blessings in this life will receive them hereafter.
- What are some examples of how obeying the Word of Wisdom helps us "find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures"? (D&C 89:19).
- How does obeying the Word of Wisdom help a person's mental capacities.
- How does it help a person receive spiritual treasures of knowledge, such as testimony, knowledge of divine truths, personal revelation, patriarchal blessings, and temple ordinances and covenants.
- Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve said: "I have come to know … that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. … If someone 'under the influence' [of harmful substances] can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 28–29; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).
- How might the Lord's promise in D&C 89:20 apply to us physically?
- How might it apply to us mentally and emotionally?
- Answers could include that we will have increased mental and emotional strength, self-mastery, and self-sufficiency.
- How might this promise apply to us spiritually? See Hebrews 12:1–3.
- Answers could include that we will have increased strength to resist temptation and to "run with patience the race" toward eternal life.
- How might the Lord's promise in D&C 89:21 apply to us?
- Anciently, just before the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, the destroying angel passed over the Israelites' firstborn sons because the people obeyed the prophet Moses and marked their doors with lamb's blood (Exodus 12). Similarly, as we "[walk] in obedience to the commandments," including the Word of Wisdom, the destroying angel will pass by us, meaning we will be saved from spiritual death and blessed with eternal life through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. (See Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 24; or Ensign, May 1996, 19.)
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