The Absurdity and Blasphemy of D&C 89

Also known as the Word Of Wisdom

by Gwenda Meyer

The information contained in this directive, according to the text, was sent “ not as a commandment but by revelation…showing forth the order and will of God in temporal salvation of all saints in the last days. Given for a principle with promise.”

In other words God was giving Joseph Smith information for the physical salvation of the people and a great promise was attached to it.

A careful reading of the text shows that we would be eating only fruits and herbs “in season.” (summer and fall) verse 11. We would be eating meat sparingly and only in winter, cold or famine. Verses 12-13. Grains would only be consumed in times of famine and excess hunger.  V-15. There is no mention of eating vegetables, dairy products nor eggs.

While we should not drink hot drinks (no mention specifically of tea or coffee), nor should we drink wine or “strong drink”. V-5. “It is good in the Fathers sight to make pure wine of the grape of the vine to be used in offering up your sacraments before Him." When was the last time you saw an LDS sacrament service?  Plain water is always used in direct opposition to God’s instructions. “Strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of the body.”V-7. How many people do you think bathe in an alcoholic beverage?

This diet then would consist of only fruits and herbs on a regular basis.  Grains and meats used sparingly and only in the winter or famine.  This doesn’t sound like a very healthy diet to me.  I don’t know anyone who eats this way.

But the payoff for eating in this bazaar fashion seems to be very spectacular. “The Saints who remember to keep and do these things walking in obedience shall receive “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures”; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint”.  That promise was lifted right out of the Book of Isaiah 40:31. It was for those who “wait upon the Lord." The next promise given is truly a blasphemy to God. It tells the people that by following the Word of Wisdom the Lord Himself gives them the promise that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the Children of Israel and not slay them.

The referenced account of the Passover, the children of Israel and the death angel is from Exodus 12. It is perfectly clear that on that occasion it was the “blood of the Lamb” placed on the doorposts of their homes that gave them protection from the death angel. When they were under the covering of the blood they were safe. God had provided that protection for them. Of course we understand that the blood of the Lamb at the Passover was a foreshadowing of the “real” Passover blood of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. How arrogant of Joseph Smith to highjack the promise of the Passover Lamb and apply it to the Word of Wisdom, which really doesn’t sound very wise anyway.  This is the ultimate blasphemy, to equate the power of the Blood of Jesus to the benefits of following a diet and a list of man made rules.

To really put one’s self under the blood of Jesus you must become a child of God by “receiving Him and believing on His name” as stated in John 1:12. Jesus said in John 3:3 “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”

Oh dear friend, get under the protection of the blood of the true Passover Lamb.  The Bible says in Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved by faith and that not of yourselves—it is the gift of God not of works lest anyone should boast” You don’t need the “works” of trying to follow an obscure set of rules in the “Word of Wisdom.”

Here is a real Word of Wisdom. When you “wait upon the Lord” (Isaiah 40:31) by prayer and meditation on the Word of God, and come to the Father by truly believing and receiving His Son and the free gift of eternal life, then you will “run and not be weary and walk and not faint”—and you will not be destroyed by the Second Death.