D&C Section 89 - Word of Wisdom
Context and Overview
This episode centers on the Word of Wisdom, Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, highlighting its enduring value, context, content, controversies, and consequences for Latter-day Saints.
The Word of Wisdom differentiates Latter-day Saints from other Christian groups by emphasizing temperance, discernment, health, obedience to God, and trust in divine guidance.
Key claim: there is no real distinction between physical and spiritual commandments in the Lord’s guidance; some directives test faith and relationship with God as much as they protect health.
The revelation is presented as a living document, with ongoing refinement and interpretation by church leaders to meet contemporary challenges (e.g., vaping is addressed in modern guidance).
The discussion frames the Word of Wisdom as both an artifact of its time (1833 context) and a foundational health ethic that shapes church practice (e.g., temple recommend requirements, missionary standards).
Immediate Context of the Revelation (1833)
Location and scene: given to Joseph Smith during the period surrounding the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio (Newell K. Whitney store site; the original structure still stands).
Post-incident setup described by Brigham Young (1868): heavy tobacco use in the School of the Prophets, Emma Smith’s complaints about tobacco juice, and Joseph’s inquiry to the Lord about tobacco use and elder conduct.
Brigham Young was not present at the original event but recounts the circumstances and asserts his familiarity with what led to the revelation.
Specific tobacco imagery in Young’s account: after breakfast, elders light pipes, talk about the kingdom, spit, then chew tobacco; this prompted Joseph’s inquiry.
Archaeology note: pipe fragments found near the Whitney Ashery site, including a pipe stem stamped with Johnson (Lyman Johnson or nearby Johnsons), providing some documentary corroboration for the tobacco-practice anecdote.
Broader American Context (Health Reform, Temperance, and Culture)
Temperance movement officially begins around ; a Kirtland-based temperance society formed around .
The 1830s feature intense public discourse on diet, health reform, and critique of certain medical practices (bloodletting, purging, calomel/mercury).
Sylvester Graham and the Graham diet influence surrounding reform circles: anti-stimulants (coffee, tea, meat, spices, alcohol), emphasis on vegetarian/wholesome foods, grains, fruits, and vegetables; Graham also popularizes the famous Graham cracker.
Oberlin College becomes a hub of health reform ideas; many Saints connect with Oberlin or shared reform networks (e.g., Lorenzo Snow).
The Word of Wisdom engages with these reform currents, not merely as a reaction to tobacco but as part of a broader health-ethic conversation in the era.
The discussion notes that Joseph Smith’s generation was already aware of alcohol’s harms; the Word of Wisdom fits into an ongoing temperance culture, not as a brand-new, isolated decree.
The Word of Wisdom’s formulation interacted with revivalism and broader religious reform movements of the day, illustrating the law as a living, culturally embedded revelation.
Modern accommodations in practice show the Word of Wisdom adapting to contemporary realities (e.g., vaping addressed in 2019 guidance) without altering core scripture.
Content and Structure of Section 89
Verse 1: The Word of Wisdom is a greeting from the Lord “to the council of high priests … to the saints in Zion” as a revelation and a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest saints.
Verse 2–3: Debate about whether this is a mere introduction or a binding commandment. Early editions (1835) printed it as italicized introduction; later editions (from onward) include it as part of the revelation proper. The language “not by commandment or constraint” is historically contextual, not timeless. Joseph F. Smith later argued the Word of Wisdom was not initially a commandment to avoid condemning all early adherents who might be living with it imperfectly.
Verse 2: The Word of Wisdom is given not as a constraint, but as revelation, to promote temporal salvation for all saints; it is adaptively merciful to the weak.
Verse 3: Emphasizes that the Word of Wisdom is not a rigid commandment at first; observance grew over time into a more formal expectation.
Verse 4: The Lord warns that evils and designs in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days prompted this revelation; the law is timely, countering contemporary threats.
Verse 5–9: Instructions on alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks (tea/coffee). Emphasis on sacramental wine, home-made wine preferred if used; hot drinks refer broadly to tea and coffee; tobacco is condemned for the body though historically used for medicinal or animal purposes.
Verse 6–7: Sacramental practice should use wine of the grape or pure wine, purity of the sacrament emphasized; later shift to water in some contexts (early 1900s) with doctrinal justification in Doctrine and Covenants §27:1–2.
Verse 8: Tobacco not for the body or belly; “an herb for bruises and all sick cattle” to be used with prudence; illustrates how some practices from the era were tied to folk medicine.
Verse 9: Hot drinks are not for the body or the belly; the church later specifies that hot drinks refer to tea and coffee.
Verse 10–11: Positive prescriptions: all wholesome herbs ordained for constitution and use; all fruits in season; use with prudence and thanksgiving; flesh (meat) also allowed but used sparingly and not restricted to winter or famine.
Verse 12–14: Meat consumption framed within prudence and gratitude; the text acknowledges seasonal constraints and historical context; grain is the staff of life (with specific uses: wheat for man, corn for ox, oats for horse, rye for fowls and swine, barley for useful animals and for mild drinks); emphasis on not wasting meat and using meat sparingly.
Verse 14–15: Grain and animal-use details; barley links to mild drinks (beers) in Joseph Smith’s day; the “mild drink” caution is tied to historical brewing practices; modern church forbids alcohol entirely, but poetry of the era is acknowledged.
Verse 18–21: Promises for those who remember to keep and do these sayings: health, strength, wisdom, and “hidden treasures of knowledge”; a promise that the Destroying Angel will pass by as with Israel; the passage emphasizes both temporal and spiritual blessings.
Is the Word of Wisdom a Commandment? Debates and Clarifications
Early framing: not given as a commandment; observed variably during Joseph Smith’s lifetime.
Joseph F. Smith (early 20th century) argued the Word of Wisdom was not initially a binding commandment, offering mercy so observers could overcome addictions before formal enforcement.
By the 1905–1906 period, leadership began elevating the Word of Wisdom toward a more binding standard (notably with changes to sacramental wine and dietary advice), culminating in more explicit expectations by the 1920s (temple recommend eligibility tied to Word of Wisdom observance).
Heber J. Grant era (late 1910s–1920s): The Word of Wisdom is presented as the will of the Lord and increasingly treated as binding for temple recommendations and leadership calls; a temple recommend became linked to obedience to the Word of Wisdom by around .
Temple readiness: 1919 missionary guidelines discouraged calls to service for missionaries who did not observe the Word of Wisdom; by 1921, observance was broadly required for temple eligibility.
The 2019 First Presidency statement refined the living nature of the Word of Wisdom: substances that are destructive, habit-forming, or addictive should be avoided; includes explicit prohibitions on vaping/ecigarettes; green tea/coffee-based products; and the medicinal use of marijuana and opioids as prescribed by a physician.
The tension between scripture (Section 89) and living guidance shows the Word of Wisdom as a living commandment that evolves with time and leadership interpretation.
The Word of Wisdom as a Living Commandment
Two-ways to read it: as an artifact from 1833 (contextualized in temperance and health reform) and as a foundational health code that has been adapted over time by prophets and apostles.
The “living” aspect means: future updates and clarifications will continue to address new substances and health concerns without changing the core text.
Theological point: Scripture emphasizes that commandments can be spiritual as well as physical; the Word of Wisdom is a test of faith, not merely a dietary rule.
The 2019 guidance demonstrates ongoing application of the principle: focus on addictive and destructive substances; allows for medical usage when prescribed; uses a practical standard rather than a rigid list.
Controversies and Challenges (within the Saints and in public discourse)
Tobacco for bruises and cattle: early directive mentions tobacco as useful for bruises and for cattle, but modern veterinary consensus does not support these uses; today, tobacco is not a recommended remedy for animals or humans; the section’s tobacco counsel is understood within historical context.
Coffee and tea: modern science often finds moderate caffeine consumption benign or even beneficial, while the Word of Wisdom continues to prohibit coffee and tea in current practice; this displays the difference between scientific evidence and revealed instruction.
Alcohol: longstanding debate about moderate consumption versus total abstinence; current church guidance in practice centers on total abstinence from alcohol as part of the Word of Wisdom, though earlier dispensations permitted limited use.
The Exodus imagery (destroying angel) vs secular health benefits: the text blends spiritual symbolism with practical health guidance, prompting discussions about how to interpret promises (temporal and spiritual blessings) versus scientific claims.
Temple interview practice: contemporary interviews ask about overall obedience and living the Word of Wisdom; debates exist about whether the temple-recommendation question should be more specific to the prohibited substances or maintain a broader interpretive framework for counseling and education.
The balance between literal scripture and leadership interpretation: some see the Word of Wisdom as a text with essential prohibitions; others see it as a broader principle that church leaders adapt for modern circumstances.
Practical Implications and Personal Applications
Baptism and temple readiness: adherence to the Word of Wisdom is a standard expectation for baptism and for temple recommends; living this commandment is a core part of ongoing church participation.
Temple recommends: ongoing requirement to discuss and reflect on Word of Wisdom observance during temple recommend interviews; the interview is designed to be a learning discussion rather than a mere test of compliance.
Personal stories and testimonies: many Saints can point to the Word of Wisdom as a guide that shaped health, behavior, and spiritual discipline; examples include staying away from hard substances during travel or in social settings where peer pressure could be significant.
Global and interfaith contexts: the Word of Wisdom’s emphasis on moderation, temperance, and discernment resonates with broader ethical and health principles, even when specific prohibitions differ across faiths.
Contemporary concerns: vaping, marijuana used medicinally, and opioids are addressed in 2019 guidance; this shows how living revelation responds to new health challenges while maintaining fidelity to core ethical principles.
Verse-by-Verse Quick Summary (Key Highlights)
Verse 1: Word of Wisdom is a revelation for temporal salvation, adapted to all saints in the last days.
Verse 2–3: Not initially a binding commandment; the status of the text has evolved over time in church editions.
Verse 4: Scripture explains why a health code is given: counter evil designs in the last days.
Verse 5–9: Prohibitions and clarifications on alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks; sacramental use of wine; moral concerns about temperance.
Verse 10–11: Positive prescriptions for herbs and fruits; grains and flesh; moderation and gratitude emphasized.
Verse 12–15: Meat usage allowed but to be used sparingly; grain and animal-use breakdown; mentions barley’s link to mild drinks in historical context.
Verse 18–21: Temporal-health blessings and spiritual promises for keeping the sayings; Exodus imagery of protection.
Connections to Foundations and Real-World Relevance
Foundational principle: temperance and self-control as personal discipleship; alignment with broader health reform movements of the era.
Real-world relevance: the Word of Wisdom serves as a practical guide for lifestyle choices that impact health, spiritual focus, and community standards.
Interplay of faith and reason: the discussion highlights that commandments involve trust and obedience as well as prudence and discernment; some aspects (like coffee/tea) are based on revelation rather than empirical consensus.
Ethical dimensions: the text invites believers to consider stewardship of the body, respect for life, and the moral dimensions of consumption (e.g., alcohol and tobacco harms) within a broader climate of social reform.
Theological nuance: the Word of Wisdom is both a temporal rule and a spiritual discipline—its promises include health and wisdom but also emphasize fidelity and reliance on God.
Ethical, Philosophical, and Practical Implications
Freedom and constraint: how to balance personal conscience with communal standards; the temple interview framework seeks to foster learning and dialogue rather than punitive judgment.
Accommodation and progress: the Lord’s guidance shows adaptive accommodation to cultural understandings of the time, while nudging practitioners toward healthier, more virtuous habits.
Role of leadership: prophets and apostles have the responsibility to interpret and apply the Word of Wisdom to contemporary life, including medical and technological developments (e.g., vaping, marijuana, opioids).
Spiritual versus temporal blessings: the text emphasizes that blessings are both physical and spiritual, reinforcing the integrated nature of obedience to divine guidance.
Consequences for Members and the Church Today
Universal relevance: almost every member experiences Word of Wisdom considerations, whether in baptism, temple recommend interviews, or daily life.
Social identity: adherence to the Word of Wisdom contributes to the distinctive identity of Latter-day Saints within broader society.
Personal testimony and caution: the Word of Wisdom has shaped personal choices, health outcomes, and spiritual commitments, often cited in individual stories and teaching.
Future evolution: ongoing guidance suggests further clarifications as new health challenges and societal changes arise.
Preview: Next Episode (Sections 90–92)
The discussion signals a shift to Part Two, where sections 90, 91, and 92 of the Doctrine and Covenants will be explored in depth for additional context and implications.
Viewers are invited to join for more analysis, including context, content, controversies, and consequences of those sections.
Important dates and numbers referenced in this discussion (for quick reference):
Revelation given:
Doctrine and Covenants first published with three verses as italicized introduction:
Edition that moved verses 1–3 into the revelation proper:
Early statements elevating Word of Wisdom to standard: around –
Missionary guidelines linking temple recommend to Word of Wisdom: around
Temple recommendation linked to Word of Wisdom observance: around
Prohibition in U.S. law (Eighteenth Amendment): ; enforcement ; repeal (Twenty-First Amendment):
2019 First Presidency guidance on addictive or habit-forming substances and vaping; explicit mentions of marijuana and opioids when prescribed:
Meat consumption note: historical context of possibly up to pound of meat per day in that era; modern guidance focuses on abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and harmful drugs.
The discussion uses multiple biblical, historical, and sociocultural references to illuminate how a revelation can be lived richly across time while remaining true to core divine principles.