Good article Jane Birch! I am happy to see by those who have commented on the article that you are reaching the masses who eat the standard American diet. It is only natural for someone to be defensive when they have a new concept presented to them. I have been eating a whole food plant based diet for 18 years. I don't say much about my vegan diet, but when people see how I am eating, they often feel compelled to point out how wrong I am. There is a big difference between teaching people the Word of Wisdom diet and contrasting that with the practice of denominations that command people to not eat meat as the Lord was addressing in section 49, "Some Shakers also forbade the eating of meat." Keep up the good work Jane! A lot of people are benefiting from you work.
Jane BirchApril 13, 2016
The Lord does not forbid the use of meat, nor should we! But hopefully we will not deny ourselves the blessings of eating a healthy diet just we are not commanded to do so (see D&C 58:26). There are many precious promises in the Word of Wisdom that we are missing out on because we ignore parts of it. The Lord tells us in His Word of Wisdom that He ordained meat for our use, but it is pleasing to Him if we don't use it except in times of need (winter, cold, famine, or excess of hunger). Science supports this wisdom, but we are each free to choose what we'll believe. Anyone who wants to find evidence to support their views, will find it. Anyone who wants to understand how to eat best for optimal health will also find those answers. I don’t have anything to say to people who are not searching to find the truth, but for anyone who is open to new ideas: consider giving this way of eating a one-month try and learn for yourself whether it is good. I can't begin to describe the joy and blessings it has brought to me and hundreds of other Latter-day Saints! See: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/getting-started/
LJGApril 13, 2016
I used to believe animal protein(meat,eggs, dairy) were necessary for strong muscles and bones, too. To my astonishment, the good science research suggests the opposite. If you would like to delve into this topic, I recommend Jane Birch's Discovering the Word of Wisdom, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Dr. John McDougall Starch Solution and How Not to Die by Michael Greger MD. Also, the free website NutritionFacts.Org has fascinating information! It's as if science is verifying the word of wisdom before our very eyes!! It is very exciting learning!! I hope you will be willing to open your mind to new ideas and research and understand we have been influenced heavily by the Agriculture Industries, etc. This research has led me to eat whole-food, plant based! My latest blood pressure reading was 108 on the top number!!
Rich YoungApril 13, 2016
If the advice in this approach is to not eat any meat, one needs to go back and re-read Section 89. That is NOT what the Lord has said on this matter, even in Section 89.
In addition take a look at DC 49:18-19
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
Also carefully read DC 59:16-20
JMJRApril 12, 2016
Im not a big meat eater. That is just my preference. I like meat in stir fry, soups, pastas etc. Those sorts of meals. The thought occurred to me that if the Lord wants us to obstain from meat then why does the church own such a huge cattle in Florida? Why did our Lord Jesus Christ eat fish both when he was mortal and immortal? And why does our Prophet Thomas H. Monson go fishing? And some apostles and prophets go phesant and quail etc. hunting ? There are many indications to me that the Lord did not intend for us to go fully meatless. He did not encourage us to abstain from meat all together in the D&C.....but used the words sparingly. To me moderation in all things is the best rule. For me I will continue to eat my, grains,fruits,veggies,salads but I may also add some meat. I agree with SH on this one! )
Edith WhertonApril 12, 2016
D&C 49
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
SHApril 12, 2016
While its true that one does do better on a diet low in fat and eating more whole grains, leafy greens and fruits, its not healthy to cut out meat entirely. God gave us animals for the benefit and use of man. By not eating meat you are not allowing the animal to meet the measure of its creation. I completely believe and know that smaller portions and if possible more fish and chicken and wild game are the best for us. Eggs and other proteins are healthy and needed in a complete diet. Anyone preaching a complete vegan diet is teaching the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.
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Claron TwitchellApril 14, 2016
Good article Jane Birch! I am happy to see by those who have commented on the article that you are reaching the masses who eat the standard American diet. It is only natural for someone to be defensive when they have a new concept presented to them. I have been eating a whole food plant based diet for 18 years. I don't say much about my vegan diet, but when people see how I am eating, they often feel compelled to point out how wrong I am. There is a big difference between teaching people the Word of Wisdom diet and contrasting that with the practice of denominations that command people to not eat meat as the Lord was addressing in section 49, "Some Shakers also forbade the eating of meat." Keep up the good work Jane! A lot of people are benefiting from you work.
Jane BirchApril 13, 2016
The Lord does not forbid the use of meat, nor should we! But hopefully we will not deny ourselves the blessings of eating a healthy diet just we are not commanded to do so (see D&C 58:26). There are many precious promises in the Word of Wisdom that we are missing out on because we ignore parts of it. The Lord tells us in His Word of Wisdom that He ordained meat for our use, but it is pleasing to Him if we don't use it except in times of need (winter, cold, famine, or excess of hunger). Science supports this wisdom, but we are each free to choose what we'll believe. Anyone who wants to find evidence to support their views, will find it. Anyone who wants to understand how to eat best for optimal health will also find those answers. I don’t have anything to say to people who are not searching to find the truth, but for anyone who is open to new ideas: consider giving this way of eating a one-month try and learn for yourself whether it is good. I can't begin to describe the joy and blessings it has brought to me and hundreds of other Latter-day Saints! See: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/getting-started/
LJGApril 13, 2016
I used to believe animal protein(meat,eggs, dairy) were necessary for strong muscles and bones, too. To my astonishment, the good science research suggests the opposite. If you would like to delve into this topic, I recommend Jane Birch's Discovering the Word of Wisdom, The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Dr. John McDougall Starch Solution and How Not to Die by Michael Greger MD. Also, the free website NutritionFacts.Org has fascinating information! It's as if science is verifying the word of wisdom before our very eyes!! It is very exciting learning!! I hope you will be willing to open your mind to new ideas and research and understand we have been influenced heavily by the Agriculture Industries, etc. This research has led me to eat whole-food, plant based! My latest blood pressure reading was 108 on the top number!!
Rich YoungApril 13, 2016
If the advice in this approach is to not eat any meat, one needs to go back and re-read Section 89. That is NOT what the Lord has said on this matter, even in Section 89. In addition take a look at DC 49:18-19 18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God; 19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance. Also carefully read DC 59:16-20
JMJRApril 12, 2016
Im not a big meat eater. That is just my preference. I like meat in stir fry, soups, pastas etc. Those sorts of meals. The thought occurred to me that if the Lord wants us to obstain from meat then why does the church own such a huge cattle in Florida? Why did our Lord Jesus Christ eat fish both when he was mortal and immortal? And why does our Prophet Thomas H. Monson go fishing? And some apostles and prophets go phesant and quail etc. hunting ? There are many indications to me that the Lord did not intend for us to go fully meatless. He did not encourage us to abstain from meat all together in the D&C.....but used the words sparingly. To me moderation in all things is the best rule. For me I will continue to eat my, grains,fruits,veggies,salads but I may also add some meat. I agree with SH on this one! )
Edith WhertonApril 12, 2016
D&C 49 18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God; 19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
SHApril 12, 2016
While its true that one does do better on a diet low in fat and eating more whole grains, leafy greens and fruits, its not healthy to cut out meat entirely. God gave us animals for the benefit and use of man. By not eating meat you are not allowing the animal to meet the measure of its creation. I completely believe and know that smaller portions and if possible more fish and chicken and wild game are the best for us. Eggs and other proteins are healthy and needed in a complete diet. Anyone preaching a complete vegan diet is teaching the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.
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