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Word Of Wisdom (Latter-day Saint)In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Word of Wisdom is a mandatory health code required for baptism or to receive a recommend, allowing entry into Mormon temples. It is based upon the revelation given in 1833 by Joseph Smith, Jr., also entitled the "Word of Wisdom", that included voluntary health guidelines. See Word of Wisdom. Adoption by Latter-day Saints as a binding health code The Word of Wisdom was a revelation dictated by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1833. Recorded in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants section 89, the revelation was given as a "principle with a promise", and was not mandatory. Indeed, observance of the principle was not widespread. See Word of Wisdom. After Smith's death, his associate Brigham Young proposed in September 9, 1851 at a General Conference of the Church that the revelation be adopted as a binding commandment for all Latter-day Saints. The Latter-day Saint health code The health code practiced by Utah Mormons is slightly different from the Word of Wisdom revelation given by Joseph Smith, Jr. It has evolved gradually through the years in response to cultural norms. The most significant innovation was the shift in emphasis away from the particular substances listed in the revelation, and toward a more general prohibition against habit-forming substances. In particular, the church has prohibited all alcoholic beverages, including "mild drinks" such as beer, which was allowed in Smith's revelation. In addition, the church came to prohibit the use of wine, even as part of the Sacrament. Water is now used in its place. Most recently, the church has prohibited the use of narcotics. However, the church generally regards narcotics, or any other medically-useful substance, as acceptable if prescribed by a doctor. In addition, the church modified the part of the code that forbids "hot drinks", and officially prohibiting only coffee and tea, whether or not the drinks are hot. There is no prohibition, however, against herbal tea, or hot chocolate. The church has also taken a relaxed attitude regarding the advice in the Word of Wisdom that meat be used only in times of winter or famine. The church has no mandatory restrictions regarding the use of meat, or the types of meat that may be consumed. Ambiguous areas within the code While there is a general prohibition against habit-forming substances, certain areas within the health code are not clearly defined, and are generally amenable to one's conscience. For example, Latter-day Saints are divided concerning the use of caffeinated soft drinks and iced tea. There is also some division concerning the use of coffee, tea, or alcohol as a cooking ingredient. It is also uncertain whether the church allows decaffeinated coffee or tea. A few rare Mormons also take a very strict view concerning caffeine, and refrain from eating chocolate. Caffeinated soft drinks The permissibility of consuming caffeinated products such as caffeinated sodas is a longstanding issue among Latter-day Saints. Because of the statements of various Church leaders (which are not official statements nor practices of the Church), some adherents and even non-members believe that caffeine is officially prohibited under the Word of Wisdom. If this were so, other things which contain caffeine besides soda drinks would be prohibited too. Some members who hold that caffeinated sodas are prohibited distinguish between things with naturally occurring caffeine and those things where caffeine is an additive although any difference in the chemistry and effect of caffeine as an additive or naturally occurring are negligible. In short, members are divided on their stance of consumption of caffeinated beverages, though it is not usually a point of great contention. The Church has no official stance on the consumption of caffeinated beverages and the consumption of such does not constitute breaking the Word of Wisdom (that is, you can obtain a temple recommend if you regularly consume caffeinated beverages). Given the latitude in applying the Word of Wisdom to personal circumstances, many Latter-day Saints feel that the consumption of caffeinated-sodas falls in the category of personal discretion; while some may consider consumption of caffeinated-sodas permissible, others may not. More strict Latter-day Saints hold that while no official prohibition restricts the consumption of caffeinated-sodas, consumption by any member does indeed violate the spirit of the Word of Wisdom, and a member receiving proper inspiration will recognize this as so. Health subjects not explicitily addressed Section 89 does not specifically address illicit drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamines or marijuana, although the Church has officially denounced their use as a violation of that doctrine. Beyond illicit drugs, there are innumerable subjects related to the Word of Wisdom that have not been addressed in fine detail by the Church: exercise, medical treatment, junk food, etc. This is in keeping with the teachings of the Church that Latter-day Saints, having been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost, are entitled to personal revelation guiding them to make personal choices that are based on individual circumstances and are consistent with the doctrines and practices of the Church. It is not the purpose of the Church to give detailed rules for every aspect of living a Christian life. The Word of Wisdom is no exception. Thus, Latter-day Saints are expected to make wise choices pertaining to personal health that are not specifically addressed by the Word of Wisdom. This principle allows sufficient latitude for varying circumstances. For example, the specific application of the Word of Wisdom could be potentially more restrictive for a person susceptible to obesity, but that determination is solely in the discretion of the individual. Purpose of the Latter-day Saint health code Adding to the caffeine issue is the broader question of why tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea and possibly caffeinated-sodas are prohibited at all. The harmful health effects of tobacco are nearly universally recognized. It is presumed in the case of coffee and tea that these drinks are prohibited because of their caffeine content. Thus, the condemnation of caffeine or caffeinated-sodas by some Church leaders. However, some Church leaders have also stated that God has not revealed why some things have been prohibited under the Word of Wisdom. Some suggest that the reasons will not become known for some time as in the case of tobacco. Some have stated further that: the primary purpose of the Word of Wisdom is, like all commandments, for spiritual benefits; and like some other commandments, earthly benefits are merely incidental. For example, there are a number of promised rewards contingent on obedience to the Word of Wisdom not all of which appear to be direct health consequences of obedience to the dietary code. These rewards stated in section 89 include: - "shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones"
- "shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge"
- "shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint"
- "the destroying angel shall pass by them...and not slay them"
The Word of Wisdom and modern medicine Health effects of alcohol It has been long established that heavy consumption of alcohol is toxic to the human body, damaging many organs and cells in the body including the brain and liver and giving rise to a higher incidence of cancer by hindering the immune system. However, recent scientific research indicates that moderate alcohol consumption of alcohol may provide a mild benefit to help prevent coronary heart disease. Some of the health effects can be achieved by other means. For example, the beneficial compounds found in red wine, polyphenols and resveratrol, are also found, although to a lesser extent, in peanuts, grape juice and cranberry juice. However, alcohol itself substantially reduces the risk of coronary heart disease according to a large number of studies. Whether or not the benefits of moderate drinking outweigh the risks has been a source of controversy. See Alcohol consumption and health. This controversy has been an issue of concern for some Latter-day Saints who see such scientific findings as hostile to the authority of Joseph Smith's revelation. Views toward modern and alternative medicine The majority of Latter-day Saints acknowledge that generally the treatments of modern medicine and the advice of their physicians and the guides issued from the FDA is in keeping with the Word of Wisdom. In contrast to this more moderate position, a small minority of Latter-day Saints are wary of modern medicine and have interpreted the Word of Wisdom somewhat less conventionally. This group favors some aspects of alternative medicine—especially herbal or homeopathic treatments—to modern medicine as a more effective treatment of health problems. (Other alternative lifestyle choices, such as home schooling or a strong interest in the La Leche League, often appeal to this group of Latter-day Saints although interest in a particular, alternative lifestyle is not necessarily inclusive of other popular, alternative lifestyles among the Latter-day Saints.) While alternative treatments might also include acupuncture for a few, magnet therapy would be too radical. Still some of the practices, such as the heavy consumption of colloidal silver for common colds, directly contradicts the conventional wisdom of modern medicine and the precautions advised by the FDA. Latter-day Saints generally consider most forms of alternative medicine to be quackery or based on pseudoscience. Thus, although Joseph Smith permitted a phrenologist to examine his head in the 19th century, nearly all Latter-day Saints now-a-days reject the validity of phrenology, an academically respected field of research in its day. Health studies regarding Latter-day Saints A 14-year study conducted by UCLA epidemiologist James E. Enstrom tracked the health of 10,000 moderately active LDS people in California, ending in 1987. Of these non-smoking, monogamous non-drinkers, Enstrom concluded from the study "that LDS Church members who follow religious mandates barring smoking and drinking have one of the lowest death rates from cancer and cardiovascular diseases—about half that of the general population... Moreover, the healthiest LDS Church members enjoy a life expectancy eight to 11 years longer than that of the general white population in the United States." The SMRs (standardized mortality ratios) for whites in the general population is defined as 100. For males in the study, the SMRs "are 47 for all cancers, 52 for cardiovascular diseases, and 47 for all causes; the SMRs for females are 72 for all cancers, 64 for cardiovascular diseases, and 66 for all causes." For high priests who never smoked cigarettes, exercised, and had proper sleep, the mortality rate was less. The results were largely duplicated in a separate study of white non-smoking churchgoers in Alameda, California. (LDS Lifestyle May Be Secret to Long Life, Associated Press) (Enstrom 1989) This study and others conclude that Latter-day Saints live significantly longer, healthier lives compared to the general U.S. populace, a consequence that correlates to prohibition of cigarettes in their health code, the Word of Wisdom. Some Latter-day Saints use these studies to extol the prohibition against even moderate consumption of alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco as divine guidance whose wisdom will be recognized in time. However, the studies correlate health primarily with the prohibition against tobacco and, perhaps, church attendance. Critics reject these studies in part because other factors may be credited for Latter-day Saints' longevity and health. External links
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