D&C 89:1-3
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Questions
- What does it mean that the Word of Wisdom is "adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints" (verse 3)?
- Who are the "conspiring men" mentioned in verse 4, and why do we need to be warned about them?
- The first comma in verse thirteen is sometimes referred to as the 'vegetarian comma', as its deletion would change the meaning of the verse. Who added the punctuation to this chapter? Was it Joseph Smith? Was it a General Authority?
- Often, people in the church who are not considered 'overweight' use this chapter to condemn those who are. This despite the fact that no General Authority has ever linked the Word of Wisdom to weight loss. What justifications do they have for doing so? Should these members be cautious about their claims? Is being Overweight actually against the Word Of Wisdom?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 3 tells us that this law is "adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints." The word adapted suggests that, were it not for the needs of the weak saints, a different law might have been given. Why is the Lord telling us that he has adapted this law to the weak saints? He may be implicitly reminding us of the strict health code given in the law of Moses. That health code with all of its many restrictions and special rules seems difficult to follow. In contrast the word of wisdom seems simple to follow. Under this interpretation, this verse may explain this the law of the word of wisdom has such a prominent place in the interview for a temple recommend. The idea then would be that that since this law is adapted to the weakest saint, those who cannot follow it are not and cannot be called saints in the true sense of the word.
In another intepretation we might interpet that this adaption of the law amounts to including things in the law so that even the weak members of the church can be saints. The most obvious example of something like this in this section is the prohibition against alcohol. By not drinking any "strong drink" (verse 7)--interpreted by the church later to mean any alcoholic drinks--even the weakest member of the church is protected from becoming someone addicted to alcohol.
The Word of Wisdom is such a wonderful law and promise. In just a few short verses, the Lord teaches us how we should live our lives from the standpoint of physical nourishment, but of course attached with a spirtual promise. As is the case with everything in the Lord's gospel and kingdom on earth, the Word of Wisdom is orderly, and relevant for our time: "showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days."
Just as the Law of Moses was relevant to the people of that time, with all its specific instructions on what to eat and what not to eat, the Word of Wisdom teaches us that we do need specific instructions on what not to take into our bodies (though even there many things are left for our interpretation). And like the Law of Moses we do need encouragement on the good things we should eat - grains, fruits, vegetables, and some meat - which by doing are fulfiling God's purposes for which they were created.
By worldly standards, some commandments of God are difficult to see the direct benefit or reward from doing them. The Word of Wisdom, however, is one of the easier ones. If we eat right and don't partake of the bad things, we're healthier, and it's obvious to us and the outside world that we have been blessed by keeping this commandment.
Related links
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