Friday, October 29, 2010

THE FORGOTTEN WORD OF WISDOM

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" Proverbs 1:5 and also: "...seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" D&C 88:118

So in order to follow this counsel, I've been thinking for a while now, that I wanted to share my personal thoughts on the word of wisdom with all my friends that believe in it, that believe it was God given. I repeat, they are my personal views from all I have been able to study! So let's move on...

"The Word of Wisdom", for those of you that have never heard of it, was a revelation given by God to the LDS prophet Joseph Smith, the person known to have been the instrument in the hands of the Lord to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this latter dispensation, or in other words, in recent times, after it was lost. This revelation was given on February 27, 1833 in Kirtland, Ohio, and I'm going to share a few parts from it (for the complete revelation go HERE).


This revelation has two different parts:

1. Don'ts: This is the shortest part, and basically states that alcohol, tobacco, coffee and green, black or white tea (camellia sinensis plant) are not to be taken by man, and it specifies that alcohol is only good for "washing of your bodies", tobacco is only good for "bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and SKILL". We have to understand that when this revelation was given, nobody knew that tobacco, alcohol, or coffee, could cause any harm at all, no scientist, no doctor, nobody! However, He knew...

2. Do's: This is the most extended part, but also the most misinterpreted, misunderstood, and misfollowed by the Saints (and by the rest of the world). It tells us what things are going to keep us healthy, sicknessless (if that is a word), and with improved energy and vitality to develop all our talents, all our abilities, and become the best we can, both physically and spiritually. I specifically mentioned "healthy" and "without sickness" as two different things. People think, that if they don't have any symptoms, if they are not showing any visible sickness, that they are healthy. Nothing furthest from the truth: we develop the most important sicknesses over the years, without showing any symptoms, and we might believe we are healthy, when we are not! This are the do's:

- "And again" (which means that it's not new, and that this has been mentioned somewhere else, specifically in many parts of the Bible), "verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the CONSTITUTION, NATURE, and USE of man- Every herb IN THE SEASON THEREOF, and every fruit IN THE SEASON THEREOF; all these to be use with PRUDENCE and THANKSGIVING". Ok, let's stop here for a second. Let's analyze a few things. First of all, this paragraph applies to all wholesome herbs, which includes vegetables and fruits. The Lord said that they are ordained for the CONSTITUTION, NATURE, and USE of man (we are gonna compare this with what He says about meats and grains). Basically, it states that these are the main things we need to live of, and why would He mention "IN THE SEASON THEREOF" if He didn't want us to think that we must have every product in the peak of nutritional value? So what happens with all these veggies and fruits we find at the store, not in their season, and modified in so many ways that they lack most of the nutrients? NOT GOOD FOR YOU! We need to buy or plant ourselves, and eat organic, fresh, in their season products and nothing else!

- "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of fowls of the air" (so basically all kinds of meat and poultry), "I, the Lord, have ordained for the USE of man with thanksgiving". Let's stop here. Meats and poultry are ok to be USED by man, it is not a sin to partake of them. So far so good. Remember it says for the "USE" though, and not for the "CONSTITUTION" or "NATURE" or man, as it said with fruits and veggies. Now, let's keep going. The Lord proceeds to mention, WHEN these meats and poultry are to be eaten: "nevertheless they are to be USED SPARINGLY". So what does "SPARINGLY" mean? Is it every once in a while? Once a week? Once a month? I'm not sure. Let's see if the Lord explains what it means: "it is pleasing unto me that THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED, ONLY IN TIMES OF WINTER, OR OF COLD", so basically when veggies and fruits in their season are hard to find, "OR FAMINE", so when the crops or veggies or fruits have been attacked by insects and are not available, or when rain wasn't enough to make things grow. So we can eat meat, yes, but only when nothing else is available! Later on the Lord says again: "and these" (the flesh of animals), "hath God made for the USE of man only in times of FAMINE and EXCESS OF HUNGER". So again, if the situation is such that we are excessively hungry because there is nothing else to eat, then the Lord has provided flesh for the use of man.

- "And all grain is ORDAINED for the USE of man...TO BE THE STAFF OF LIFE...all grain is good for the FOOD of man". It seems to me, that the words CONSTITUTION, NATURE, and STAFF OF LIFE, are present in the revelation to denote the main things we need to eat to build our bodies in a healthy and strong way, and protect them from sickness. Also, even though refinement of foods wasn't implemented in the times the revelation was given, it specifically says that the foods are to be eaten in the peak of nutritional value, so why would the Lord want us to take out all the nutrients from grains and produce white flour, bleach stuff with chemicals to make it "look pretty", modify genetically anything the Lord has created (as if the Lord didn't know enough genetics), and also cook and burn the foods in such a way that the best nutrients (enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.) are destroyed almost completely? It just doesn't make sense! However, I'm not saying we need to eat everything raw, but I believe at least 50 to 75 % of our diet should be raw. I should also say that the Lord mentions that wheat is the most important of all grains for man: "Nevertheless, wheat for man...". For those of you who are gluten allergic, you will find out that in most cases, once you start on a pure healthy diet, those allergies go away, specially when eating organic whole wheat. Also try to sprout the wheat and see if you are still allergic to it...Remember: organic, whole wheat is what we are asked to eat, not the cheapo sandwich white bread you can find at any store loaded with chemicals on it, and modified genetically (no wonder why so many people is allergic to wheat...).

-Finally, the Lord specifies that other plants are to be the food of man: "as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground, or above the ground"; so things like roots (potatoes, carrots, macca, ginseng, etc.), medicinal herbs, nuts, mushrooms, etc. have been made by the Lord for us to partake of and enjoy their properties.

-Wonderful PROMISES have been given to people who follow these layouts, and the other commandments of the gospel. Specifically says: they "shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones". This means to enjoy pure health, not only "symptom-free health" as many think health consists of, but to bring your body to its best possible condition, and in that way be able to enjoy also other spiritual blessings such as the ones He continues to mention: "and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures", and again some other physical (and I would say these can be though of as also spiritual) blessings: "and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint". And the final promise of: "and I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel" (and this is not me, ;)), "shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen". All these blessings come proportionally to the effort we put into following the laws given:
"20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated".
DyC 130:20-21

So why then you think people are living 70 to 80 years (if they are very lucky), when the Lord said: "...yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." (Genesis 6:3), talking about man after the flood? Well, because they are NOT following his advice: "‎I regret that we as a people do not live the Word of Wisdom more fully" Gordon B. Hinckley said a few years ago, and also: "It is an unusual circumstance to see a man a hundred years old, or a woman ninety. The people have laid the foundation of short life through their diet." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 187). Short life through their diet! And that was back in the day when no fast food restaurants existed, or genetically modified foods, or refined or processed foods! What would he have to say now? President Hyrum Smith also said: "Everything has become DEGENERATED from what it was in it PRIMITIVE state; God made man PURE, but he has found out many INVENTIONS: His tastes have become innumerable, and his DISEASES multiplied: His TASTE has become VITIATED, and his judgement impared: he has fallen..."

However, for those of you who are decided to step up and change the way of the world, there are magnificent promises to come, Hyrum continued: "God has appointed the Word of Wisdom as one fo the engines to bring about this thing (Pristine excellency and primitive vigor, and health), to remove the BEASTLY APPETITES, the MURDEROUS DISPOSITION and the VITIATED taste of man; to restore his body to HEALTH and VIGOR, promote PEACE between him and the BRUTE CREATION, and as one of the little wheels in God's design, to help to regulate the great machinery, which shall eventually revolutionize the earth, and bring about the restoration of all things. 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. Let these things be adhered to; let us lay aside our folly and abide by the commandments of God; so shall we be blessed of the great Jehovah in time and eternity; we shall be healthy, strong and vigorous; we shall be enabled to RESIST DISEASE; and wisdom will crown our councils, and our bodies will become strong and powerful, our progeny will become mighty, and will rise up and call us blessed...We shall prepare ourselves for the purposes of Jehovah". (Times and Seasons 3:799-801) This quote was given by Hyrum Smith, Patriarch of the Church, in 1842.

It is amazing the many times I've heard: "I have to die of something, do I not?", meaning that we will all die, therefore, there is no point on trying to keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Well, for them, in 1855, Brigham Young chastised the saints by saying: "The fathers and mothers have laid the foundation for many of these diseases, from generation to generation, until the people are reduced to their present condition...The people have laid the foundation of short life through their diet, their rest, their labor, and their doing this, that, and the other in a wrong manner, with improper motives, and at improper times. I would be glad to tell mothers how to lay the foundation of health in their children, that they may be delivered...Some say that 'this is a miserable world, I do not care how soon I get through'. Well, go and destroy yourselves, if you choose; you have all the opportunity that you can desire...Latter-day Saints who live merely to get ready to die are not worth much; rather get ready to live, and be prepared to live to the glory of your Father in Heaven and to do the work He has given you to do." (Journal of Discourses 2:269-71)

And in 1892, Apostle and First Counselor of the Church George Q. Cannon stated: "Our religion impresses upon us the importance of taking care of our bodies. There is a carelessness and an indifference even among us that are not found among many well-informed people in the world. Many of the Saints do not seem to be alive to the importance of those laws which pertain to well-being and preservation of the health and strength of the body. Their old traditions cling to them". (Juvenile Instructor 27, May 15, 1892, pp. 690-91) He even went on to mention that foods we take, need to be easy to digest, which is the whole idea of my blog, to promote easy to digest healthy foods. He said: "The question arises: 'What then are we to eat if we drop swine's flesh and eat very little beef or mutton...why, dear me, we shall starve to death.' In conversation with one of the brethren the other day, the brother remarked 'the diet of the poor is principally bread and meat, and if they dispense with meat, they will be reduced to very hard fare'. I reasoned with him...that other articles of food could be raised more cheaply and in greater variety than the flesh of animals. It is an exceedingly difficult thing for most people to break off and discontinue cherished and long standing habits." But Elder Cannon also emphasized the benefits, "We can have variety in diet, and yet have simplicity. We can have a diet that will be easily prepared, and yet have it healthful. We can have a diet that will be tasteful, nutritious and delightful to us and EASY TO DIGEST..." (Journal of Discourses 12:221-4)

This next quote is amazingly strong and direct, and it also comes from a president of the Church, president Lorenzo Snow who was reported to have paid "special attention to that part which relates to the use of meat, which he considered just as strong as that which related to the use of liquors and hot drinks". Elder Snow "was convinced that the killing of animals when unnecessary was wrong and sinful, and that it was not right to neglect one part of the Word of Wisdom and be too strenuous in regard to other parts." (Journal History, 5 May 1893, pp. 2-3) and also, about a hundred years ago, in a meeting of the church leadership, then Apostle Lorenzo Snow "introduced the subject of the Word of Wisdom, expressing the opinion that it was violated as much or more in the improper use of meat as in other things, and thought the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood". (Journal History, 11 March 1897 p. 2)

Also, other general authorities have spoken out against sport hunting. Joseph F. Smith said in 1913: "I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he 'needs' them for food...I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possess life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men who I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood. They go off hunting deer, antelope, elk, anything they can find, and what for? 'Just for the fun of it!' I am a firm believer... in the simple words of one of the poets: 'Take not away the life you cannot give, for all things have an equal right to live'". (Juvenile Instructor 48:309)

Talking about the importance of preserving nature, which could also be applied to the use of contaminants of all kinds, for electricity production, for using at home chemicals, etc. President Joseph F. Smith said: "We are a part of life and should study carefully our relationship to it. We should be in sympathy with it, and not allow our prejudices to create a desire for its destruction. The unnecessary destruction of life begets a spirit of destruction which grows within the soul. It lives by what it feeds upon and robs man of the love that he should have for the works of God. It hardens the heart of man...The unnecessary destruction of life is a distinct spiritual loss to the human family. Men cannot worship the Creator and look with careless indifference upon his creation. The love of all life helps man to the enjoyment of a better life...Love of nature is akin to the love of God, the two are inseparable." (Juvenile Instructor, April 1918, p. 182-3)

Combining the revelation and scientist perspective, apostle John A. Widtsoe stated that the plant kingdom contains all the nutrients man needs for perfect health: "It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: PROTEINS, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water [and] vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only.... They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)

In reference to those who criticized the ones genuinely interested in nutrition, Elder Widtsoe said: "one with an intelligent interest in food and good life habits is in no sense a faddist or 'crank.' Indeed, every one should have such a sound fundamental knowledge of nutrition." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950). Some just cover their ears in reference to this precious law, for which the President David O. McKay said, however: "Too many members move along the lines of least resistance and yield to a craving appetite developed by disobedience to the Word of Wisdom of God, thus depriving themselves of spiritual as well as physical strength...Neither the Church nor the world at large can hear too much about the Word of Wisdom." (Improvement Era, 1953, p. 376)

Again, on relation to how processed our food is, how modified, how unnatural, how it is cooked, president Ezra Taft Benson, who became not only president of the Church but had also served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower administration said, "In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us". (Ensign 4:66, 1974), he also said: "To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours...We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the 'kings meat', and whose countenances show it". (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson pp. 476-7), and in reference to the relationship of health and spirituality, he mentioned: "There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom...Disease, fever and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience...To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom...but what need additional emphasis are the positive aspects, the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner." (Ensign, September 1988, p. 5)

The WORD OF WISDOM starts by saying: "In consequence of evils and designs which do and WILL exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving you this word of wisdom...". What are these "conspiring men" that the Lord talks about? What companies maximized their profits without any care at all of the health of the people? What companies put certain artificial additives in their foods (most of them carcinogens) that make you want to go back to buy their products over and over again? What companies use their products to promote health when in reality they are producing death? Are you aware of these "conspiring men", or you have no idea where or who they are? Is there any kind of conspiracy in the health industry (called industry because it is really a business), food and agricultural industry, power industry, etc.?

I would like to finish with a prophecy by Elder George Q. Cannon, who warned: "Pestilence of various kinds which we are led to expect through the word of the Lord are yet to break forth...will have their effect in calling the Saints' attention to those laws of life and health." (Juvenile Instructor 27, May 15, 1892, pp. 690-1)

These pestilences are all around us now, diabetes, cancer, heart problems, autoimmune diseases, etc. and eventually will have to "have their effect in calling the Saints' attention to those laws of life and health". We are prompted by the Lord to seek for excellence in all aspects of life. Why not seek excellence with our health also? After all, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16), or should dwell...



PS: LET'S NOT EVER FORGET TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE FOOD THAT WE HAVE EVERYDAY!
GEKH4HAJGDTT

22 comments:

  1. Anyone is welcomed to comment about his/her thoughts on this!

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  2. So, I used to believe what you believe now. I used to restrict myself and bought a whole bunch of "healthy" foods. I know that there is still crap in processed foods. I know it's more important to try to eat foods as little processed as possible. However, it's not possible with a busy college student. It's way too expensive, especially meat. There's been conflicting research is organic is better or not. There has to be more research on the topic. We know that organic farming is better on the environment though.

    Now the subject on meat. Please don't say that meat can be used only for famine and winter. Heavenly Father says that we can eat it whenever we want to. I think we can eat a little meat everyday. I don't pay attention how much I eat meat, but it's usually cooked with something. If we can only eat meat during the winter or a famine, President Monson would tell us. We need to listen to a current prophet more than a dead prophet.

    I know that hunting is fine too. I used to live in Montana and lots of Mormons up there hunt all the time. The prophets have said just don't kill an animal just for the fun of it. We need to have a purpose for killing it like defending ourselves and for eating.

    Please don't misinterpret the prophets. There's a movement right now in the Mormon community that the Nephites lived in the US. Even Joseph Smith said that there were some things which were built by the Nephites in America. Later, he liked the idea that they were in South America. I think that they were in Central or South America. That would make a lot more sense than them being in North America. Plus, there are so much evidences against the "heartland" theory, but people are still willing to believe it.

    I hope that you will teach people the importance about vaccines too. I know that they have saved the lives of millions of people. We don't have to worry about these infectious diseases that could cause epidemics or even pandemics. It's just sad that many people aren't taught that those infectious diseases are still out there and might possibly infect them if they don't get a vaccine. I'm guilty of this because I'm not up to date for my tetanus vaccine.

    Be really careful on your alternative health journey. Much of it is untrue. I myself need to judge if it's true or not either. For example, I used to drink raw milk because the alternative health world said that pasteurization is bad. Then, I learned that one can get rabies from raw milk. I know that's pretty rare but still!!!! If I get rabies, that means I'll die because it would be too late. It's more common to get food-borne illnesses from raw milk than rabies. I drink whole milk instead.

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  3. Hey Lizzie, welcome here. As I said, everyone is welcome to share comments and thoughts here, and this goes for people "against" my ideas or the ideas I propose here from other people's research.
    However, I made a promise to myself, I would never say something just to please somebody, so hopefully you don't get offended with what I'm going to share here Lizzie...if you do, you can take it on me on the mat...hehe.
    I'm gonna try to analyze everything you have said, and respond it, even though your comment was pretty long and full of information and ideas, so here I go...

    First of all, the excuse of being a student and not having time or money is not valid. Eating wholesome foods is always cheaper than the average lifestyle a student follows (fast food restaurants here and there, cooking and using electricity or gas, buying stuff that will make them sick and then paying for medical bills, etc.). As you said, meat is expensive, that's another reason to avoid it! We'll get to meat later though. About the advantages of organic farming, it's not only better for the environment, it's better for you too! the fact that non organic farming only uses three minerals to fertilize the soil compare to the 50 to 60 minerals we need in our bodies tells us a lot. If we are mineral deficient we will get sick, and if we don't consume organic products we simply will not get the minerals we need. GMO foods are really bad for you, toxins on the non organic products are really bad for you...I could go on and on on why it is so much better to use organic and how non organic actually makes you sick...I've already written about this subject, so you can check out what I think on previous posts.
    Let's go with the meat. Lizzie, if talking about the Word of Wisdom, I've shown enough quotes from Prophets on how we need to avoid meat unless necessary. D & C 89 explicitly shows this. You might not wanna believe it, but that's how it is. Don't get me wrong, I've always been a meat lover, I've always eaten quite a lot of meat, but I've learned that this is not what the Lord expects from me, and from anybody, and I have to share this. Have you actually read all the quotes I posted? they are pretty straight forward! Same thing about hunting...the fact that people do it doesn't make it right. A lot of people probably don't know that is bad, but again, this doesn't make it right. I also posted the quotes from prophets about this subject. Only if we need meat to eat or if we are under attack is ok to hunt, but never for the pleasure of it.
    I don't see where I have misinterpreted the prophets. I've given quotes for all the ideas exposed, and they don't need explanation, they are pretty straight forward! I don't care either about that movement you are talking about, this blog is about nutrition, and not about theories of where the nephites lived!

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  4. The only time that vaccines could be beneficial, would be if a great epidemic was hitting an entire civilization, as it happens on some third world countries, and it could save lives, but you have to understand, that 99% of vaccines are made as simple business. We don't need the majority of vaccines we are offered, and studies actually prove that many vaccinated people is more likely to get infected from the viruses they got vaccinated about. On top of that, the majority of vaccines have crazy side effects, and in many cases, the death rate of vaccinated people is higher than the rate of preventing the sickness, which in many cases is a simple sickness that doesn't put us in real danger. Why would you risk to die to prevent getting yourself sick, when in fact, you will be more likely to get sick? It just doesn't make sense. You also should research what it's being done to push vaccinations in elderly people, giving them triple doses on anti-flu vaccines, which is almost deadly! Lizzie, just research a little bit why vaccines are not ok, and come back and share what you found...there are too many things to mention here! The best way to keep ourselves healthy is by following a healthy diet full of nutrients and helping our bodies be in the best state possible! Our immune systems were created to fight any possible disease, but we need to get the nutrients!

    Raw milk could affect you negatively if it has salmonella for example, that's why now raw milk is sold after passing the pertinent tests. But raw milk actually boosts your immune system, so you are more likely to be able to stay healthy if you drink raw milk than if you drink pasteurized milk.
    By the way, pasteurized milk is the closest thing to a poison we can take. The molecules in milk protein are so big, that unless they come with the enzymes to digest them (as in raw milk), our bodies treat milk as a foreign object and cannot digest it. That's why so many people now is lactose intolerant! What you get if you drink raw milk is being share by big corporations to scare people away from it, and bring them back to pasteurized milk. See, raw milk is not as good of a business as pasteurized milk because of the shelf life. Follow the money Lizzie!
    This is pretty much what I could share with you. I'm a little restricted because of space issues, but I would love to discuss anything with you in person someday.
    Good luck!

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  5. You haven't offended me at all Angel. I'm just worried that I'm going to offend you. So, I was thinking about this issue with meat. When I was a missionary two years ago, I ate breakfast with Elder Sybrowsky of the Seventy. I'm pretty sure that our breakfast included sausage and bacon. If Heavenly Father said that we could only eat meat during the winter or famine, Elder Sybrowsky would have objected us eating the meat. I trust Elder Sybrowsky way more than you. I know that if I asked my Bishop if I can eat meat everyday, he'd say "yes". For our a FHE activity, we had hot dogs. For other activities, we had hamburgers. Again, I trust a member of the seventy and my Bishop way more than you.

    Now, I read on LDS.org that President Monson and President Faust has gone hunting when they were younger. Again, if hunting was bad, President Monson and the current Seventy would tell us to not to hunt. However, that's not the case.

    You completely missed my point about the different theories where the Nephites live. I wanted to show that they were miss interpreting the prophets. Your quotes about hunting don't even prove you point anyways. I'm pretty sure that that some of the apostles like to fish, especially the prophet. That could be "hunting" in your terms. Again, I'm sure if we weren't allowed to hunt, the apostles, bishops, our prophet, and stake presidents would have forbidden it especially in Montana. However, that's not the case. So, we can hunt if we want to.

    I used to be against vaccines like you. I've read what the alternative world says about them. Last winter, I took a class which I learned about all of these infectious diseases. That class made the realize the importance of vaccines. Plus, I realized that the church supports vaccines. In 2003, the church gave three million dollars to vaccinate children against measles in Africa.

    The CDC says that if we stop vaccinating people in the US, the infectious diseases will come back and people will start dying again. Here's a link: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/whatifstop.htm DO NOT trust what the alternative health people tell you. They say that vaccines are ineffective and are just a business. However, they are just lies. Research has proven that they prevent disease. That's how smallpox was wiped off the earth. They are trying to do that with polio. Vaccines are the reason that we don't see mass epidemics of polio, mumps, measles, Hepatitis B, and the flu.

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  6. Hey Lizzie, hi again...
    Ok, now your are not making a lot of sense:
    You said: "If Heavenly Father said we could only eat meat during winter or famine, Elder Sybrowsky would have objected us eating the meat"...I am not saying it, D & C 89 says about meat: "it is pleasing unto me that THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED, ONLY IN TIMES OF WINTER, OR OF COLD" and then: "These hath God made for the USE of man only in times of FAMINE and EXCESS OF HUNGER". so Lizzie, I didn't say it, the Lord said it in this revelation! You can trust elder Sybrowsky or you can trust the Lord, it's up to you! Now I'm not saying that you will burn in hell for eating meat, but you will not received the fullness of the blessings that come from the Word of Wisdom if you don't follow it as the Lord presented it.
    Hyrum Smith, the patriarch and co-president of the Church with Joseph Smith said: "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".
    There are also other quotes on my post about prophets like Joseph F. Smith...Lizzie, I just posted the quotes! I didn't make up any ideas! Elder Sybrowsky might not have been familiar with this doctrine, maybe he didn't know better.
    The fact that somebody does something doesn't mean that is right...people are not perfect. The fact that he ate it doesn't make it a revelation from God that we can eat meat anytime we want. Look at revelations, not at behaviors or actions. The fact that activities in the Church use bad foods doesn't make them good. People don't know better or they just think is not important, but that's not what the Lord has said.

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  7. Lizzie, about vaccines, beware of the classes you take, most of them are designed by the Pharmaceutical companies. If Pharmaceutical companies get richer and richer the more vaccines we use, don't you think they are gonna do anything possible to make people believe they need them? Indeed they are! It's not what the "alternative world" (as you call it) has said, it's what statistics and research has shown. Now, you might wanna go ahead and get all the vaccines you want and can, but I'm going to keep warning people about the side effects and danger of them. As I said, there are specific times when they are needed, and that's what the Church has done, send them where needed. That doesn't make every vaccine in the world ok Lizzie. Here is a link to see a few videos:
    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vaccines+link&aq=f
    Corporations run this country, so if you trust what the government is saying, you trust what corporations are telling the government to say, so simple!

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  8. Very nice blog Angel. I wish you & your family a wonderful new year!

    All the best

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  9. Thank you Aiko!
    I wish you the best as well!
    Thanks for following the blog, I have it forgotten for the time I'm on vacation in Spain with my family, but I'll get back to it soon!

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  10. I love this post. I totally agree with almost every word you said and it is actually boosting my own good purposes on the matter.
    However, I think that one point is missing and that's the reason that people like Lizzie and others may not accept your good reasoning.
    The word of wisdom, as per D&C 89 is not a commandment. It is very wise counsel, the wisest of all, moreover: a principle with promise, but not a commandment.
    What we now have as commandment and what most active mormons now as the commandment of the WofW was "adopted" a lot later (1921), and it follows the path of D&C89, but is not the same.
    Actually, we can say that the practice of WoW has "evolved" to the point we now know.
    Wikipedia is pretty fun to read on this subjet.
    To me it seems that we can take D&C89 as a whole, embrace it as a revelation given for our benefit with all the love of a caring Heavenly Father, or just stick to the official proscriptions and tell ourselves that it's ok because once we meet the basic requirements heaven is granted.
    Just like with everything else.

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  11. Hey Patricia, good thoughts on the matter!
    As you said, The WoW was given as a principle with promise, as a counsel, and then later on some parts of the revelation were transformed into commandments in the way that if you don't follow them, you can't go into the temple for example.

    However, the reason that I posted on this subject were not to blame anybody or tell them they are sinners. The reason I posted on the subject of the WoW, was to help people understand that God knows everything, He knows the best way to keep ourselves healthy, and each principle given in the WoW has a reason and a consequence. What we are trying to figure out is what really are the things the Lord is telling us we should eat to stay healthy.

    Also, one thing I forgot to mention, and I've though about lately after reading some books on the WoW is that the WoW was given for the weakest of all saints, it wasn't the highest law on health we could get. This is very important, because as I mentioned on the post:
    "20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
    21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated".
    DyC 130:20-21

    The more you study and pray and give thanks, the more the Lord helps you understand the principles of health. I know this, and I've seen His hand helping my family understand these principles more and more everyday. I believe I still need to get a lot more knowledge, and also need to be better at implementing that knowledge into my life.

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  12. Curious as to where you got the information regarding green tea. It is my understanding that this quote was by one of prophets who was going off an article written up on black tea, which is an entirely different process of tea leaves than green tea or white tea.

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  13. Thanks for the post Sadhana, I actually corrected it to be more explicit. Camellia sinensis is the plant from which black, green and white tea come from. The only difference between these teas are the way this plant is treated related to fermentation. These are not allowed in the Word of Wisdom, but this doesn't include other wholesome herbs that are used for treatment of sicknesses or to address an specific problem, or to keep yourself healthy. However, they are to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. I hope this clarifies your question.

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  14. Wonderful job Angel! You are going to recieve many critisisms because there are may LDS people who are comfortable just being a "go with the flow" mainstream "click" mormons. They really don't want a deeper relationship or seeking miricles, power, glory, vitality, and spiritual vision. I wanted to voice my support for your courage to preach repentance to all people-- including those who think they are above sin. The sad truth is that the leadership of the LDS church does not exhibit exceptional health and vigor. The general church membership is more representitive of the least healthy in the US, certainly not amoungst the healthiest. In fact, Mormons have a reputation of having particularly poor health habits. Many prophets have spoken about the necessity for the saints to abandon the practice of eating animal corpses, so Lizzy, you realize that there is more than one prophet alive now, and there have been countless prophets throughout the ages I'm sure. The church is not perfect, and I have never met 1 person who carries a temple recommend who keeps the WoW. I am the only 1 I know who doesn't eat animals. Also, we will not establish Zion on the earth until we stop exploiting animals and eating them needlessly. In that day "the lon will lie with the lamb" and the "lion will eat straw like an ox". If the lion is eating straw, I doubt we will be eating dead flesh like zombies. That would be weird and gross.

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  15. Also, the WoW says "hot drinks", it doesn't say anything about specific drinks.

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  16. I wanted to update a little bit on the Word of Wisdom post. I don't know if the ones who commented will get this update or not, but here I go.

    First of all, the Word of Wisdom was a principle with promise and never a commandment. It says so explicitly in the revelation given. The leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has "made" it into a commandment, in the way that you must keep this principle according to the Church views on it if you want to keep all your rights and privileges as a member of the Church. For me, this has nothing to do with what the Lord still thinks of it. There has never been a revelation to indicate that this is now a commandment, therefore, from my point of view, if you don't keep the word of wisdom, you are not breaking any of God's laws.

    Second, when I mentioned in my post alcohol, I mean strong drinks, which is the name given to distilled drinks, or hard liquors, like whiskey, vodka, etc. these are good for the washing of the body, but not for drinking.

    Third, I believe fermented drinks are good for the body and the Lord so manifested it in this revelation. Barley is for mild drinks, meaning fermented drinks.

    Third, there are some herbs that might be considered illegal drugs by law, like for example marijuana. The Church's view is that the word of wisdom prevents us from partaking of this "drug". My view is that God created this herb for medicinal purposes and is to be use with prudence and wisdom. I've never partook of it, but I support anybody who for health issues decides this is the best solution to their problems. Again, we should always search for God's guidance in what to eat, and what to use for medicine.

    Fourth, I love wheat products. However, I've come to the knowledge that wheat has been transformed tremendously since it was first brought to this Earth. Be careful what kind of wheat you consume, since it might have been man modified. Search for the kind that is more pure, like kamut wheat.

    Fifth, although I believe the Lord wants us to sparingly partake of meat, only in times of hunger or famine, I don't believe the Lord has forbidden us to eat meat. We will one day answer before the Lord for the amount of life we have taken in order to feed ourselves, that is for sure. Also one requisite when partaking from meat is to do it in the spirit of thanksgiving. What does this mean? Ask Heavenly Father!

    That's it for now...
    More in the future...

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  17. Hi Angel,

    How are you?? How is BJJ? I am just wondering what type of drinks are made from fermented barley. All I am coming up with is beer which is really gross.

    Lizzie

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  18. BJJ is good! There are many drinks made from fermented barley, all depending on the process of extraction of the water and the fermentation. Just google "fermented barley drinks" and you will find more info. One of them is beer, which if made in the proper way and taken wisely has tremendous properties (heck, why in the world would the Lord recommended if it wasn't so!). Here is a link for other fermented drinks: http://www.enotes.com/fermented-beverages-other-than-wine-beer-reference/fermented-beverages-other-than-wine-beer

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  19. How does one make beer the proper way? How is it taken wisely? It looks like that most of these fermented drinks have alcohol in them.

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  20. Lizzie, the to make it properly and take it wisely is the way the saints have been doing it until the 1920's. This blog post is very enlightening for a quick review: http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2009/06/too-bad-i-dont-like-beer.html, but I recommend you go to the source and read for example "Development of LDS Temple worchip", which consist on minutes and journals of general authorities in times of Joseph and later. Go to the journals, read the minutes, and then most of all, pray Heavenly Father to tell you about it.

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  21. Hi Angel. I like follow what is the brethren is saying now. I don't care what some prophets have said 100 years ago. I looked online and found this by President Monson: "Hard drugs, wrongful use of prescription drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco products destroy your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Any form of alcohol, including beer, is harmful to your spirit and your body. Tobacco can enslave you, weaken your lungs, and shorten your life." This quote is from the October 2008 New Era. So from that quote, I believe that Heavenly Father doesn't want us to drink fermented barley drinks which contain alcohol and/or any drinks that contain alcohol for that matter. In a March 1999 issue in the Ensign, President Hinkley said, "Stay away from those things proscribed in the Word of Wisdom—no alcohol, no beer, no tobacco. What a blessing!". Again, I go by what the current prophets say about that matter.

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  22. Good for you Lizzie, you have chosen to believe blindly what is being taught today. As for me, I am waiting for Father's messengers to teach me the truth. I also happen to care what the Lord had to say 100 years ago or more through the head of the dispensation, the prophet Joseph Smith. I also care what our revelations indicate, as for D&C 89, which is the word of the Lord. However, I respect that you don't care for these things, and are content following men. You know, the Book of Mormon warns us over and over again about trusting in the arm of the flesh...we would do wisely if we came to the Lord for these kind of questions.

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