When I look around in my ward, or in other wards I’ve been in, I have thought a lot about how many of us are not taking very good care of ourselves. We are overweight like the rest of the nation, or we don’t exercise and take care of our bodies. As Latter-Day Saints, we should be the healthiest people we know! No matter what the latest fad diet is that is out there, we already have a recipe for success when taking care of our earthly bodies. It is the word of wisdom.
The word of wisdom is more than abstaining from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and tea. It is MUCH more than that. Yet, we forget some of the true wisdom that is found in this important piece of scripture. The “wisdom” is definitely there. We have the entire recipe that we need to follow to be healthy. We’ve heard these all before, but what are the things that we SHOULD be putting into our bodies?
*Wholesome herbs
*Fruit, in its season
*Flesh of beasts, to be used sparingly
*All grain is the staff of life
The last three versus of D&C 89 contain our promise:
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 to their bones;
19And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21And 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.
What a wonderful promise! Are we taking this seriously though?
Before you start your next diet, look at what has already been given to us. Are we following the Lord’s advice? An article was published last year at mormontimes.com that talks about just that. How no diet is necessary, because there is proof that backs up the word of wisdom. Proof that it can make us live healthier, stronger lives. Check out the article here.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately as I have been on my own journey of trying to get healthier. I work out 3-4 times a week, and I try to eat healthier. I have been exploring the idea of living a mostly vegetarian lifestyle. I see other latter-day saints that are doing the same. Sometimes, I think we need a reminder of what is right in front of us. We have the key to being healthy. Are we using it?
Related Articles: