Dear Richard: Thanks for your comment. I don’t personally know anyone who blames all the world’s health woes on meat. I certainly do not! But there is good scientific data to suggest that up to 80% of the chronic disease we see today is due to poor diet, including overconsumption of animal foods. The Lord ordained the flesh of animals for our use. He does not forbid it, but He also tell it is “pleasing” to Him if we reserve its use for times of need (see D&C 89:13, 15). Since meat is not healthy and it pleases the Lord if we abstain, why not give this suggestion a try and see how much better you feel? I believe D&C 49:18 supports this position beautifully (see: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/the-word-of-wisdom/wow-faqs/command-to-abstain/). Note also that the Word of Wisdom says nothing about moderation (we are not, for example, to drink alcohol moderately). Bless you in your pursuit of excellent health!
Richard JensenNovember 5, 2014
I get tired of all the world's health woes being blamed on animals. D&C 49:19 says " For, behold, the beasts of the field and fowls of the Everythingair, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food...". Everything in moderation. Meat has it's place in a balanced diet.
LolaNovember 4, 2014
We have come to the same conclusion as you concerning the Word of Wisdom and a whole food, plant based diet as being optimal. It has been exciting to learn from other sources such as the China Study and Forks over Knives as well, and hear the scientific aspect. My husband has had lymphoma, stage 4, and has recovered using juicing and this diet, which we were already on, but now following more precisely. What I wonder is what about the need for raw foods, containing the enzymes that the cooked foods loose? The whole foods plant based diet supporters never mention this aspect.
Jane BirchNovember 4, 2014
Dear Andrea: There is definitely an answer to your question! I encourage you to prayerful read the Word of Wisdom. Let the Lord know you are willing to do what He asks you to do, and mean it. Be open to new ways of thinking and then when you get a prompting from the Lord, embrace it, even if you don’t have all the answers yet.
You might find something of value in these articles and webpage, “Gluten, Wheat, Grain (and other food sensitivities)” (https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/qas/food-sensitivities/). You can also contact me if you’d like more resources! https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/contact-me/
SusanNovember 4, 2014
I loved this article. It is inspiring and gave me encouragement to start better reviewing what my family eats and make some adjustments. It is always a good thing when we can receive both a physical and spiritual reward for obedience. Thank you!
TrishNovember 4, 2014
My sister developed breast cancer in 2001, fought it off, and resolved to live as healthily as she could. She followed the Word of Wisdom quite religiously, becoming nearly a vegetarian. When her cancer returned in 2007, doctors gave her less than six months. She endured for nearly three years, primarily because she was so healthy going in. Her improved diet bought her enough time to see two more grandbabies and her son find a wife.
Richard PopovichNovember 4, 2014
America cannot afford to take the "fluffy" approach which Obama and the CDC are taking against this virus. It is one of the most virulent viruses experienced in the past century. It shouldn't be the center of attention. The entire conversation about Ebola in the United States should never have happened. It shouldn't have gotten here in the first place. It is a political disease as much as it is a medical problem.
Travel restrictions and quarantines work. This fact is being proven to be effective in African nations that have placed travel restrictions on people in infected countries. African nations are keeping Ebola patients confined to their geographical area, and America's mindless leader wants those same individuals brought to the United States for treatment. It makes no sense at all. The entire episode is being politically promoted for some odd reasoning by this Administration.
The Department of Agriculture enforces a quarantine policy on all horses imported into the United States. In the case of Africa, horses must be quarantined for SIX MONTHS because of a specific, Equine related disease. If a quarantine and travel restrictions work in the case of Horses being brought in from foreign countries, the same should work for Ebola. It's an issue that should be a "NO BRAINIER," but unfortunately Obama has one and does not know how to use it.
AndreaNovember 4, 2014
I wish every single day of my life that there was SOMETHING I could eat (that I'll ALSO be able to find in my food storage should I need it) that I'm either not allergic to, not super sensitive to....OR, that doesn't make my diabetes/blood sugars MUCH worse.
Since being told I can't have grains, I was down to eating only meat, eggs, cheese, low carb. salad vegetables and a few low glycemic fruits....on occasion. Now that I've found out I'm allergic to all milk related foods, another food group is out of the question too.
It depresses me to also feel like the ONE thing that I could eat (meat) is bad and carries diseases too. Fruits seem to be fine and healthy for "everyone else" and supposedly defends against diseases...but even fruit sugars cause me to get candida!! :o/ I'm now down to leafy things, avocados and a few random tasteless vegetables as long as I eat them with no salad dressing (unless I make my own-- which I don't always have time to do) since I'm allergic to Soy....which seems to be in everything!!! (esp. salad dressing!)
So, other than downing vitamin and mineral pills daily instead of eating square meals and real food like a normal person, I guess I'm pretty much stuck eating leafy things and avocado's. In a fair world we might be protected from Ebola by eating foods in accordance with the Word of Wisdom, but I'm seriously so stressed out that meat, which seemed to be one of my few friends because it helped me by keep my blood sugar stable) is on the hit list.
I am starving....and wouldn't you know it, I'm still very overweight! I'm in a constant battle with my conscience because foods that seem to be okay to eat as a member of the church, don't seem to work for me at all. Am I alone in this or are there others who's bodies don't seem to do well adhering to the Word of Wisdom??
Comments | Return to Story
Jane BirchNovember 7, 2014
Dear Richard: Thanks for your comment. I don’t personally know anyone who blames all the world’s health woes on meat. I certainly do not! But there is good scientific data to suggest that up to 80% of the chronic disease we see today is due to poor diet, including overconsumption of animal foods. The Lord ordained the flesh of animals for our use. He does not forbid it, but He also tell it is “pleasing” to Him if we reserve its use for times of need (see D&C 89:13, 15). Since meat is not healthy and it pleases the Lord if we abstain, why not give this suggestion a try and see how much better you feel? I believe D&C 49:18 supports this position beautifully (see: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/the-word-of-wisdom/wow-faqs/command-to-abstain/). Note also that the Word of Wisdom says nothing about moderation (we are not, for example, to drink alcohol moderately). Bless you in your pursuit of excellent health!
Richard JensenNovember 5, 2014
I get tired of all the world's health woes being blamed on animals. D&C 49:19 says " For, behold, the beasts of the field and fowls of the Everythingair, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food...". Everything in moderation. Meat has it's place in a balanced diet.
LolaNovember 4, 2014
We have come to the same conclusion as you concerning the Word of Wisdom and a whole food, plant based diet as being optimal. It has been exciting to learn from other sources such as the China Study and Forks over Knives as well, and hear the scientific aspect. My husband has had lymphoma, stage 4, and has recovered using juicing and this diet, which we were already on, but now following more precisely. What I wonder is what about the need for raw foods, containing the enzymes that the cooked foods loose? The whole foods plant based diet supporters never mention this aspect.
Jane BirchNovember 4, 2014
Dear Andrea: There is definitely an answer to your question! I encourage you to prayerful read the Word of Wisdom. Let the Lord know you are willing to do what He asks you to do, and mean it. Be open to new ways of thinking and then when you get a prompting from the Lord, embrace it, even if you don’t have all the answers yet. You might find something of value in these articles and webpage, “Gluten, Wheat, Grain (and other food sensitivities)” (https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/qas/food-sensitivities/). You can also contact me if you’d like more resources! https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/contact-me/
SusanNovember 4, 2014
I loved this article. It is inspiring and gave me encouragement to start better reviewing what my family eats and make some adjustments. It is always a good thing when we can receive both a physical and spiritual reward for obedience. Thank you!
TrishNovember 4, 2014
My sister developed breast cancer in 2001, fought it off, and resolved to live as healthily as she could. She followed the Word of Wisdom quite religiously, becoming nearly a vegetarian. When her cancer returned in 2007, doctors gave her less than six months. She endured for nearly three years, primarily because she was so healthy going in. Her improved diet bought her enough time to see two more grandbabies and her son find a wife.
Richard PopovichNovember 4, 2014
America cannot afford to take the "fluffy" approach which Obama and the CDC are taking against this virus. It is one of the most virulent viruses experienced in the past century. It shouldn't be the center of attention. The entire conversation about Ebola in the United States should never have happened. It shouldn't have gotten here in the first place. It is a political disease as much as it is a medical problem. Travel restrictions and quarantines work. This fact is being proven to be effective in African nations that have placed travel restrictions on people in infected countries. African nations are keeping Ebola patients confined to their geographical area, and America's mindless leader wants those same individuals brought to the United States for treatment. It makes no sense at all. The entire episode is being politically promoted for some odd reasoning by this Administration. The Department of Agriculture enforces a quarantine policy on all horses imported into the United States. In the case of Africa, horses must be quarantined for SIX MONTHS because of a specific, Equine related disease. If a quarantine and travel restrictions work in the case of Horses being brought in from foreign countries, the same should work for Ebola. It's an issue that should be a "NO BRAINIER," but unfortunately Obama has one and does not know how to use it.
AndreaNovember 4, 2014
I wish every single day of my life that there was SOMETHING I could eat (that I'll ALSO be able to find in my food storage should I need it) that I'm either not allergic to, not super sensitive to....OR, that doesn't make my diabetes/blood sugars MUCH worse. Since being told I can't have grains, I was down to eating only meat, eggs, cheese, low carb. salad vegetables and a few low glycemic fruits....on occasion. Now that I've found out I'm allergic to all milk related foods, another food group is out of the question too. It depresses me to also feel like the ONE thing that I could eat (meat) is bad and carries diseases too. Fruits seem to be fine and healthy for "everyone else" and supposedly defends against diseases...but even fruit sugars cause me to get candida!! :o/ I'm now down to leafy things, avocados and a few random tasteless vegetables as long as I eat them with no salad dressing (unless I make my own-- which I don't always have time to do) since I'm allergic to Soy....which seems to be in everything!!! (esp. salad dressing!) So, other than downing vitamin and mineral pills daily instead of eating square meals and real food like a normal person, I guess I'm pretty much stuck eating leafy things and avocado's. In a fair world we might be protected from Ebola by eating foods in accordance with the Word of Wisdom, but I'm seriously so stressed out that meat, which seemed to be one of my few friends because it helped me by keep my blood sugar stable) is on the hit list. I am starving....and wouldn't you know it, I'm still very overweight! I'm in a constant battle with my conscience because foods that seem to be okay to eat as a member of the church, don't seem to work for me at all. Am I alone in this or are there others who's bodies don't seem to do well adhering to the Word of Wisdom??
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