Jilly - you forgot verse 13: "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." I think this is what she meant by "if at all." No, I'm not saying that eating meat puts you outside the bounds of the Word of Wisdom. But I am saying that it is clearly pleasing to God if you can abstain from eating meat, save "...in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." I haven't reached that level, yet...
Jane BirchFebruary 13, 2017
Hi Jill! Yes, I see your point, and I definitely agree we should not forbid others from eating meat. We all get to choose for ourselves (hurrah!). I invite you to consider this viewpoint: just as there is no commandment to not eat meat, there is no commandment to eat meat. That is, nowhere in the scriptures or the writings of any of the LDS Church leaders are we told that we must eat meat. That also is a free choice. But if we do choose to eat meat, the Lord has asked us to eat it sparingly. He also tells us He is pleased if we do not eat it except under certain conditions (D&C 89:13, 15). So, we can choose to not eat it at all or eat it sparingly. Cheers! TO WF: Good question! I think there are definitely times when meat is needed to sustain life, so I personally feel it is ordained for our use in those circumstances (winter, cold, famine, excess of hunger). TO OTHERS WHO COMMENTED: Thanks so much for your interesting insights.
Jilly PratherFebruary 9, 2017
The Word of Wisdom does not say "eat meat sparingly, IF AT ALL."
12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
Doctrine and Covenants 49:18
18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
Tony Ford, Nottingham, EnglandFebruary 9, 2017
How enlightening this is. Our individual needs are so different and unique that no one brush stroke can meet every individuals physical, emotional or intellectual needs. Seeking revelation, however, will help to have a satisfying and helathy lifestyle. The visualisation is brilliant in helping to understand this.
WTFebruary 8, 2017
Just wondering if the lord did not want us to eat any meat why did he in vs 12 of Sec. 89 say that flesh of beasts was ORDAINED for the use of man.?
Jason JenkinsFebruary 8, 2017
Michael; do you think the Lord will reveal it to us en masse or one by one?
Michael ColemanFebruary 7, 2017
Years ago I was informed by an "enlightened" member of the church that the Lord really wanted us all to be vegetarians and that if we weren't then we weren't really living the Word of Wisdom in its entirety. This is pure supposition usually accompanied by self-righteousness. The promises given in the Word of Wisdom aren't rooted in the letter of the law alone but faith in the giver of the law leading to righteousness and a thirst for knowledge with greater capacity to obtain it. When the time comes for all of us to be vegetarians, if that is to be the case, the Lord will reveal it.
ScottHFebruary 7, 2017
Superb treatment of this topic. Excellent contrasts between divine principles and man made constructs. I especially like the injunction to let the Holy Spirit be our guide in these matters.
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Jim BFebruary 14, 2017
Jilly - you forgot verse 13: "And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." I think this is what she meant by "if at all." No, I'm not saying that eating meat puts you outside the bounds of the Word of Wisdom. But I am saying that it is clearly pleasing to God if you can abstain from eating meat, save "...in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." I haven't reached that level, yet...
Jane BirchFebruary 13, 2017
Hi Jill! Yes, I see your point, and I definitely agree we should not forbid others from eating meat. We all get to choose for ourselves (hurrah!). I invite you to consider this viewpoint: just as there is no commandment to not eat meat, there is no commandment to eat meat. That is, nowhere in the scriptures or the writings of any of the LDS Church leaders are we told that we must eat meat. That also is a free choice. But if we do choose to eat meat, the Lord has asked us to eat it sparingly. He also tells us He is pleased if we do not eat it except under certain conditions (D&C 89:13, 15). So, we can choose to not eat it at all or eat it sparingly. Cheers! TO WF: Good question! I think there are definitely times when meat is needed to sustain life, so I personally feel it is ordained for our use in those circumstances (winter, cold, famine, excess of hunger). TO OTHERS WHO COMMENTED: Thanks so much for your interesting insights.
Jilly PratherFebruary 9, 2017
The Word of Wisdom does not say "eat meat sparingly, IF AT ALL." 12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; Doctrine and Covenants 49:18 18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
Tony Ford, Nottingham, EnglandFebruary 9, 2017
How enlightening this is. Our individual needs are so different and unique that no one brush stroke can meet every individuals physical, emotional or intellectual needs. Seeking revelation, however, will help to have a satisfying and helathy lifestyle. The visualisation is brilliant in helping to understand this.
WTFebruary 8, 2017
Just wondering if the lord did not want us to eat any meat why did he in vs 12 of Sec. 89 say that flesh of beasts was ORDAINED for the use of man.?
Jason JenkinsFebruary 8, 2017
Michael; do you think the Lord will reveal it to us en masse or one by one?
Michael ColemanFebruary 7, 2017
Years ago I was informed by an "enlightened" member of the church that the Lord really wanted us all to be vegetarians and that if we weren't then we weren't really living the Word of Wisdom in its entirety. This is pure supposition usually accompanied by self-righteousness. The promises given in the Word of Wisdom aren't rooted in the letter of the law alone but faith in the giver of the law leading to righteousness and a thirst for knowledge with greater capacity to obtain it. When the time comes for all of us to be vegetarians, if that is to be the case, the Lord will reveal it.
ScottHFebruary 7, 2017
Superb treatment of this topic. Excellent contrasts between divine principles and man made constructs. I especially like the injunction to let the Holy Spirit be our guide in these matters.
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