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March 28, 2023
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March 28, 2023

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YvonneJune 26, 2015

There is what I consider to be a spiritual aspect to the eggs-and-milk discussion that no one has commented on thus far. Eggs and milk products do not involve killing the animals that provided them. I therefore tend to regard milk and eggs quite differently from eating a slaughtered animal. I interpret the various passages in Bro. Millet's article to suggest the Lord expects us to show respect for ALL life on this earth, and to exercise restraint by not killing animals routinely for food, since there are so many other options available. Eggs and milk are a viable alternative to meat. Interestingly, the Harvard School of Public Health has recently vindicated Elder Widtsoe's comments about eggs--(hsph.harvard.edu)--"Recent research has shown that moderate egg consumption--up to one a day--does not increase heart disease risk in healthy individuals and can be part of a healthy diet."

Robert W CowartJune 26, 2015

Milk and other milk products are perfectly fine if and only if they are not processed(heated) before using them. When pasteurized all enzymes are killed. Humans or animals cannot properly process milk products without these enzymes. A baby calf taken from the mother at birth and bottle fed the mothers PASTEURIZED milk will die in 30 to 90 days. If this is news to you I strongly encourage you to do your homework. It could save you or your loved ones lives. Incidentally RAW goats milk is easier to digest than raw cows milk.

CHARLIEBROWN2292June 26, 2015

I enjoyed reading this article, which stresses moderation in all things. Some people may need a vegan diet for specific health-related reasons, but this does not justify that such a diet be extended to everyone. Last but not least, enjoying food is part of being healthy. On the contrary, feeling deprived from the foods one likes can cause frustrations that will cancel out the benefits of such diets. Some reliable studies indeed indicate that Italians paradoxically fare better than many other cultures, despite diets rich in starch, sugars and saturated fats, for the very fact that they enjoy eating and socialize around it.

sueJune 24, 2015

I have always tried to follow the WofW in accordance with my own health issues. Some of us have genetic problems, and need to use our best judgement. Due to having celiac disease, for the last 50 years I have not been able to eat gluten or dairy. I have found a local person who makes 12 hour raised sour dough ww bread, that I can eat. I get my calcium from greens, and I need a bit more protein, and eat eggs, some good quality plant and bean based protein powder for smoothies, and various types of proteins for dinner, along with raw veggies and fruits. Thank you for this broader based article on the WofW.

Sharon GaussJune 24, 2015

Thank you for this article I know the hardest thing for me is cutting down on the consumption of meat. But it is in my heart to be grateful for those animals sacrifice, because we are living for now in this Kingdom, and when the Millennial comes the Lord will prepare us to live accordingly to those laws. The Lord showed us the way here on earth in Luke 24: 40-45, this is after his resurrection he did ask for meat and eat fish when witnessing his resurrected body. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?. **** and Jesus also warn us in 1 Timothy 4:1-6 of faults doctrines which shall creep in the latter days....

Nadine AndertonJune 24, 2015

I appreciate all the thoughts brought forth in this article. I also appreciate greatly the approach Jane Birch has used in presenting the Word of Wisdom and the balances view of eliminating meat and meat products - for the most part, and voluntarily rather than required - for optimum health and feelings of well-being. For those who follow this plan (and most of us do not prefer the term "veganism") it can be relatively easy once adjustments are made due to the customs acquired in early age to eating meat, eggs, cheese, and drinking milk, using oils, etc. But the fact that it is estimated that only 3% or so Americans follow this plan attests that it is not for everyone. I appreciate that in history, including Biblical and early American, meat and milk, honey and butter, etc. have been common. But remember that the conditions of raising - including feeding and slaughtering- animals (incl. poultry and fish) are far different now than in the past. Eggs are said to be carriers of salmonella. Cheese is said to have strong addictive properties similar to heroin. Many are lactose intolerant. I myself, when I quit using milk products, noticed a strong and immediate difference in my health from lack of congestion and sinus pain. As far as diet books and people making a lot of money, I suspect the big money is in the meat and dairy industries rather than the fruit and vegetable and whole food (unprocessed food) industries! And while there are drugs and medical procedures that can do wonders to improve health, they come at a great price (financially and health-wise). A lot of Brother Millets best and most balanced comments came in the footnote section where most readers won't see them, which is unfortunate. Most won't even read the comments and won't see mine, but if you do, remember that neither Jane Birch (who seems the obvious target of this article) nor any of the physicians or nutritionists who promote the meatless way of eating say NEVER eat meat. It is always a choice.

RebeccaJune 24, 2015

Thank you, Brother Millet. I enjoyed reading your well-balanced article. I am a mother of six, and come from a family with numerous mental illnesses, autism, learning and auto-immune issues. Needless to say, I have spent many hours researching how our diet and nutrition affects these issues. In my fifteen years at it, I've found that there are some real problems today with our American systems of food production. So much so, that I believe the stark rise in the health problems abovementioned is at least partially due to these compromised systems. Only 40 years ago, the integrity of food production and manufacturing systems was still in tact, and end products were healthier. Many of us don't realize how sick we are, because we don't physically feel bad enough to see a need for change. It's only in the more vulnerable members of our population that we see extremely detrimental effects of the standard American diet. After removal of offending foods (mainly of the processed, artificial and refined variety) from our diet we see how much better we feel without them. I personally saw huge improvement in my own family's autism, focus, weight and mood issues when we removed dairy, gluten, dyes, and refined foods completely from our diet. I believe the reason for this is two-fold: 1) health problems that Americans are prone to can be linked to leaky gut disease, and candida infections; 2) Our food manufacturing industry is broken, filling grocery stores largely with harmful food products. And as an aside, Utah has a big sugar addiction problem. But each of these issues merit their own discussions. I don't believe you were arguing for a defense of the standard American diet, or of our biggest food mamanufacturers. I heard you defending the use of eggs and dairy in our diets, and embracing the importance of consulting authoritative church sources when interpreting the Word of Wisdom. As for this, I am in agreement with your general assertion that milk, eggs and meat are not to be prohibited. Indeed they can be of benefit to our bodies. Especially in the case of pregnant and lactating women, and growing healthy children, eggs are dramatically helpful, as discussed in Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions," just to name one source. If you talk to Europeans who visit America often, you may discover that our milk is commonly seen by them as inferior, and likely to make them sick. This is largely due to the breeds we use, and production practices, such as hormone enhancement. A quick google on European vs. American milk will tell you that some countries there have banned our milk products for that reason. My preference in South Jordan is to buy raw milk and dairy products from a local farm. With the enzymes in tact, many who are otherwise allergic to dairy products can tolerate the raw varieties. Again, thanks for the thought-provoking article.

Lorna JhansonJune 24, 2015

I am so happy to read this article that offers a much more balanced perspective of how to more fully live the Word of Wisdom. It had taken on the characteristics of "fanatical and faddist". The Lord never admonished extremism in this area of the Gospel.

Pete PetersonJune 24, 2015

If you avoid meat, eggs and dairy, I don't see how you get enough vitamin B12 without some type of supplement. My stepmom suffers from dementia, which her doctors say is due to a long term B12 deficiency. (She kept to a low-fat diet for 20 years, never eating red meat, seafood, cheese or eggs.) Would the perfect diet require a supplement? I think not.

Sharon GaussJune 24, 2015

Thank you for this article I know the hardest thing for me is cutting down on the consumption of meat. But it is in my heart to be grateful for those lovely animals sacrifice, because we are living for now in this Kingdom, and when the Millennial comes the Lord will prepare us to live accordingly to those laws. The Lord showed us the way here on earth in Luke 24, this is after his resurrection he did eat fish when visiting here 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, **** and Jesus also warn us in 1 Timothy 4:1-6 of faults doctrines which shall creep in the latter days.... 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

sueJune 24, 2015

Great article with many approaches to consider. I have always tried to follow the complete WofW, along with what I know about my health issues.I do have certain genetic problems, that necessitate me eating more protein. I eat eggs for breakfast, with a 12 hour raised, sour dough ww bread- for me that is a miracle, as I am gluten and milk intolerant due to having celiac disease. Rather than get calcium from milk, I get it from green veggies. For lunch I have a smoothie, with frozen berries, a sprouted grain based protein powder, some kale, some fruit powders, and water. Great for this hot weather in Provo. I am surprised to learn that Japanese eat eggs; I lived there for four years and never remember seeing one. Their main staple of white, sticky rice, is causing a B deficiency in them, Next in their daily line comes miso soup, a few pickled veggies and strip of meat. I felt that their good health was due to the tremendous amount of walking that they do, more than their diet, which includes many unclean fish. I don't eat much meat, and do follow the food laws in the OT, as doing that avoids eating scavengers And they are in the ftnotes of the WofW. I love raw vegetables, which I have for dinner, with a vegetarian protein. I think,after reading this, that I may add some chicken back to my diet in the winter. Thanks for all of the variety of insights..

Carol BestJune 24, 2015

thankyou Br Millett for providing a more balanced discussion on the Word of Wisdom. I have been more than a little dismayed at the recent columns on following the Word of Wisdom and also the ones purporting to provide a fool proof diet to eliminate heart disease. Those columns have been extremely biased to say the least and not based on credible science or indeed, counsel from church leaders. I fear those columns on following the Word of Wisdom may do more harm than good, but at the very least now a balanced perspective is being offered.

JoyceJune 24, 2015

I believe anything God made is good for us. Dubious on man-made foods. Some are better than others. I read somewhere that "sparingly" means "prudently", which to me means not a lot of meat but not to eliminate it completely. Just use prudence or common sense. I think there is too much written about the Word of Wisdom with writers seeming to interpret it their own way. I feel if meat, sugar and white flour, etc. are that bad for us the Prophet would tell us. I know we aren't told everything and we have to use our own judgment, but I still don't believe foods are as bad for us as we think, except for packaged foods with additives and preservatives. I think Americans are obese because we eat too much. It doesn't matter what we eat, but how much we eat and if we exercise.

StephenieJune 24, 2015

I think one thing to remember when we look at life expectancy and longevity studies is how far medical care has come. I don't think it's because we are just as healthy eating eggs & butter & meat but because there are life saving drugs that are available to control diabetes, cholesterol & heart issues no matter your lifestyle or eating habits.

AnnJune 24, 2015

Have just skimmed this article, but will return to read it thoroughly later today. At first glance it seems a much more balanced article than the series that has been running in Meridian lately. The thought that keeps coming to mind is the warning from the apostles that when we teach we should teach doctrine and allow the individual to choose the "how to" as much as possible. When the prophet chooses to expand on the Word of Wisdom, that is the time to listen carefully and obey when the spirit speaks. We are warned about the evil designs of men, and today a huge, profitable industry has emerged with the intent of telling other people exactly how to eat, and make money in the process.

Jane BirchJune 23, 2015

Thank you Brother Millett for this thoughtful article and for bringing attention to these important issues, both by word and personal example! The Word of Wisdom is not a list of what we should and should not eat. Instead, the Lord gives us principles we can prayerfully study so we can decide what we should do. The Word of Wisdom strongly endorses plant foods and strongly discourages the use of meat. Since dairy and eggs are much more like meat and much less like plant foods, I don’t see any endorsement in the Word of Wisdom for dairy and eggs, but I do think this is a matter for each individual to prayerfully study on their own. For those interested in investigating the health risks of dairy and eggs, see footnote 2 in this article: https://meridianmag.wpengine.com/article-1-14710/. I don’t believe the Lord commands us to give up dairy and eggs any more than He commands us to give up sugar and junk food. But once we recognize the health hazards of these foods and realize that they are not endorsed anywhere in the Word of Wisdom, it certainly does not hurt to try living without them. Why use any food we learn is damaging to our body temples? I can testify the blessings of doing without these foods are beyond measure. Why not give it a try?

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