Talk:D&C 89:11-15

The question suggests that the "vegetarian comma" (a phrase I could find no other reference to) was not in the original and wasn't intended to. I'd like to see some evidence this is the case. Thanks. Eric 15:18, 10 Aug 2005 (CEST)

Here are two resources that I found, both come from the RLDS church. The first is a link specifically about the comma the second is from the Times and Seasons piece referenced in the first (scroll down to page 801 the second complete paragraph). It should be noted that though the punctuation of the Times and Seasons piece excludes the comma (as does the Reorganized Church's version of the Doctrine and Covenants), Hyrum Smith, the orator, gives an interpretation in the following paragraph that is in keeping with the current reading. He said:

"Let men attend to these instructions, let them use the things ordained of God; let them be sparing of the life of animals; 'it is pleasing saith the Lord that flesh be used only in times of winter, or of famine'-and why to be used in famine? because all domesticated animals would naturally die, and may as well be made use of by man, as not,"

This quote I took from a discussion board (I have not verified its accuracy, but there is a reference). "When this revelation was first printed in the Doctrine and Covenants (1835), there was no comma after this phrase ["should not be used"]. The addition of the comma clarifies the meaning of the text, thus dramatizing the importance of proper punctuation. The addition of the comma is in harmony with the context of the revelation, which is that meat should be used sparingly" (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration, 655-56).

Finally, a footnote from an annotated version of Joseph Smith History. The third paragraph in this footnote (Beginning with "This revelation...) has information on the comma in the last two or three sentences. In sum, it seems that the comma appeared in the 1921 edition. I don't know who inserted the comma. MJ 19:38, 11 Aug 2005 (CEST)

PS I found all of these by doing a google search using the terms vegetarian comma D&C

Thanks. When I searched on Google, I had "vegetarian comma" in quotes, and the term didn't show up at all. But I see your sources now. Thanks. Eric 21:23, 11 Aug 2005 (CEST)

Interesting comments. I think they would be better as exegesis than a question. I may try to synthesize some of the information here into the commentary section at some point. Unfortunately, I don't have time to do it now. Maybe someone else will beat me too it :) --Matthew Faulconer 05:49, 12 Aug 2005 (CEST)

Thanks MJ! --Matthew Faulconer 08:12, 14 Aug 2005 (CEST)

"In the season thereof"

An attempt to answer my own question about "in the season thereof" (v 11). Many years ago, I had an institute teacher whose personal belief (and yes, he labelled it as personal) was that one should only eat fruit or vegetables at the times of year when they were locally available. This has never felt right to me (why then do we do all that canning?), but never had another idea until tonight. Suppose 'season' here means something like it means in Eccl. 3:1 or Prov 15:23, and come out something like "when needed" or "at the appropriate time." I'm not really happy with this either, though. Any thoughts? --Rpederse 01:30, 19 Oct 2006 (UTC)