I agree with Tom O. and Alison S. I immediately thought of the fact that when this revelation was given and in the area of the U.S. that Joseph Smith lived that fresh fruits and vegetables were just not available in the winter months and since animals eat nothing but grains, grasses and vegetative plants that is what their are made up of so what other source could we turn to to get the nutrition we need? I think it is pretty evident that the Lord knew exactly what we need and when we need it.
Tom ObenchainDecember 2, 2014
Thanks for another great article. I've always read verse 13 as meaning that during winter or famine a person may not have enough grains or vegetables and thus meat consumption becomes necessary. I think as a culture we might be rationalizing our love of meat with other interpretations.
QandryelDecember 2, 2014
I feel that if we truly are wanting to know about the Word of Wisdom, this article is searching for truth in the wrong direction. #1: Why were animals created in their own spectrum of reproduction, if not to be consumed at all? The Lord did not just create the world and everything on it for looks. He created it for the benefit of man. Adam was commanded to take care of the garden as well as the beasts of the field. There is not enough land to provide plant food for man and beast alike, if meat is not consumed. Also, I believe our pioneer ancestors understood and knew what the word of wisdom meant, because they had the ability to ask the prophet directly for clarification.They ate meat in the winter and in times of famine.
#2: In raising livestock, I've noticed how they generally have multiple babies.(Except for the larger animals, like cows. Why would they reproduce so much in a shorter gestational period if they were not meant to be consumed? If no one ate meat, we would be over run with livestock and wildlife. This would be contrary for The Lord's plan in the beginning, of creating things for man. Now, I believe the WofW mentioned meat consumption for our day as well as any. To limit it to the winter, cold, or famine. The whole world revolves on this wise counsel. For example, we raise goats. To feed them in winter is expensive. Most of their breeding naturally goes on in the fall/winter, so they can Kidd in the spring. The goats that kidded in the summer or fall, ended up not making it through the winter. They were not meant to give birth in those seasons. Also, in the winter, it is harder to find feed for livestock, and expensive to feed them through the winter. Some wildlife come down from the mountains to look for food, because they would otherwise starve in winter. Due to this, we breed some goats and butcher the others in the fall/winter, so we can have meat for the winter, and kids in the spring. Thus keeping alive the circle of life we are in. I believe this is The Lord's plan in the Words of Wisdom, because it is gluttony that is the sin, and limiting meat consumption to winter, cold, or famine is preventing us from becoming gluttons. People can do all the scientific research they want, and will get nowhere when leaving The Lord out of the equation. (John 8:12)
Alison SatterwhiteDecember 1, 2014
Interesting, however, I interpret that verse to mean, only eat meats in times of cold, winter or famine since grains, fruits and plant life aren't/weren't generally alive or as readily accessible in the cold months. It's sort of a last resort for food. I just read the most fascinating article about new research that shows meats are the primary cause cancer and grain/fruits/vegetables reverse it.
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Kay BallardDecember 3, 2014
I agree with Tom O. and Alison S. I immediately thought of the fact that when this revelation was given and in the area of the U.S. that Joseph Smith lived that fresh fruits and vegetables were just not available in the winter months and since animals eat nothing but grains, grasses and vegetative plants that is what their are made up of so what other source could we turn to to get the nutrition we need? I think it is pretty evident that the Lord knew exactly what we need and when we need it.
Tom ObenchainDecember 2, 2014
Thanks for another great article. I've always read verse 13 as meaning that during winter or famine a person may not have enough grains or vegetables and thus meat consumption becomes necessary. I think as a culture we might be rationalizing our love of meat with other interpretations.
QandryelDecember 2, 2014
I feel that if we truly are wanting to know about the Word of Wisdom, this article is searching for truth in the wrong direction. #1: Why were animals created in their own spectrum of reproduction, if not to be consumed at all? The Lord did not just create the world and everything on it for looks. He created it for the benefit of man. Adam was commanded to take care of the garden as well as the beasts of the field. There is not enough land to provide plant food for man and beast alike, if meat is not consumed. Also, I believe our pioneer ancestors understood and knew what the word of wisdom meant, because they had the ability to ask the prophet directly for clarification.They ate meat in the winter and in times of famine. #2: In raising livestock, I've noticed how they generally have multiple babies.(Except for the larger animals, like cows. Why would they reproduce so much in a shorter gestational period if they were not meant to be consumed? If no one ate meat, we would be over run with livestock and wildlife. This would be contrary for The Lord's plan in the beginning, of creating things for man. Now, I believe the WofW mentioned meat consumption for our day as well as any. To limit it to the winter, cold, or famine. The whole world revolves on this wise counsel. For example, we raise goats. To feed them in winter is expensive. Most of their breeding naturally goes on in the fall/winter, so they can Kidd in the spring. The goats that kidded in the summer or fall, ended up not making it through the winter. They were not meant to give birth in those seasons. Also, in the winter, it is harder to find feed for livestock, and expensive to feed them through the winter. Some wildlife come down from the mountains to look for food, because they would otherwise starve in winter. Due to this, we breed some goats and butcher the others in the fall/winter, so we can have meat for the winter, and kids in the spring. Thus keeping alive the circle of life we are in. I believe this is The Lord's plan in the Words of Wisdom, because it is gluttony that is the sin, and limiting meat consumption to winter, cold, or famine is preventing us from becoming gluttons. People can do all the scientific research they want, and will get nowhere when leaving The Lord out of the equation. (John 8:12)
Alison SatterwhiteDecember 1, 2014
Interesting, however, I interpret that verse to mean, only eat meats in times of cold, winter or famine since grains, fruits and plant life aren't/weren't generally alive or as readily accessible in the cold months. It's sort of a last resort for food. I just read the most fascinating article about new research that shows meats are the primary cause cancer and grain/fruits/vegetables reverse it.
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