DarlaG: Other readers have interpreted verse 15 as you have. Interestingly, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith gave his opinion that this is an incorrect interpretation. I’ve quoted Elder Smith and written on this topic here: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/the-word-of-wisdom/wow-faqs/pronoun-these-in-verse-15/. Note also that the Lord ordained grains to be the “staff of life,” which means the staple of our diet, or where the bulk of our calories come from. I personally am impressed that the USDA recommendation fits with this aspect of the Word of Wisdom, though of course we should try to make most of these “whole grains.” Where we get into trouble is when we consume refined grains that include lots of added salt, fat, and sugar. If you believe you are getting fat on just the whole grains, may I recommend you take a close look at the rest of your diet? Rather than dropping the whole grains that the Lord ordained to be the staff of life, we might eliminate other parts of our diet that are less healthy: processed foods (including oils), junk foods, and animal foods. See more on this topic here: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/qas/food-sensitivities/ [Please note that you can find all my responses to comments posted on these articles on my website: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/meridian-comments/]
Jane BirchDecember 23, 2014
Heather: You make a great point! I hope it is clear to everyone that what I write about is my interpretation of the Word of Wisdom. I also try to encourage everyone to prayerfully study the Word of Wisdom and get their own revelation from the Lord. I trust that you have done this, and I applaud you for following the inspiration you have received! What is also true is that (for all of us) God can only reveal to us what we are open and ready and willing to receive. Sometimes we mistake the inspiration we receive for ourselves as God’s final word on the topic when it may be just a step in the right direction for us. Note also that there are many grains we can choose from besides those with gluten. I draw from the expertise of the whole food, plant-based experts because I feel they help us open our eyes to meanings in D&C 89 that we haven’t seen. I try to tie everything I write about to the actual words in D&C 89. I invite others to do the same. Again this is just my reading, but you’ll note that D&C 89 says something more specific than “wholesome foods,” it actually says “wholesome herbs.” The word “herbs” means “plants” (see the footnote). Note also that D&C 89 says nothing about feeding our families from the animals we raise ourselves, though I’m sure that is better than factory-raised animals. Hopefully we are paying close attention to the actual text in D&C 89, carefully doing our research, and then seeking the Lord’s guidance in prayer. Bless you for doing all you feel is good for your family! [Please note that you can find all my responses to comments posted on these articles on my website: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/meridian-comments/]
HeatherDecember 19, 2014
The articles are interesting and well intentioned but not all people can tolerate wheat or gluten. We have chickens in our yard providing whole protein, organic eggs for our family. We do our utmost to prayerfully live a healthy lifestyle, using wholesome foods in the "season thereof." We apply wisdom to our food choices so please call this diet a wfpb diet by all means, but to call it the word of wisdom diet implies others views do not comply and is quite off putting.
DarlaGDecember 17, 2014
What about verse 15, which seems to note that grains, like meat, are to be used sparingly, too. So, perhaps excess wheat, corn, oats, barley, etc. is not much better than excess meat consumption.Surely the old food pyramid recommendation of 6-11 servings a day is excessive. I, among many, did nothing but store fat eating that way- even if it was all almost exclusively whole wheat/ whole grain.
LeanneDecember 17, 2014
@Jesse: I felt the same way for many years, and struggled to understand what "sparingly" meant. In fact, my family raised cattle, pigs, and chickens! I was shocked when I finally found the answer in verse 13 of the Word of Wisdom. It's not a commandment to abstain from meat, but who doesn't want to "please the Lord"? And I have to say, in just a month and a half, I have seen some dramatic changes in my health and energy. The proof for me has been the physical and spiritual blessings of eating this way.
Lyle DavieauDecember 17, 2014
Where can I buy wheat that has not been soaked with Roundup (glyphosate), which is widely used in North America.
Jesse BrownDecember 16, 2014
After the Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego they complained about their daily ration of meat--over 5 pounds per day! Back in those times, people ate a lot of meat.Perhaps that was what the Lord was talking about when he advised us to eat meat sparingly. 5 pounds a day is way too much. But the "flesh of beasts" has been ordained for the use of man and I don't have a guilt problem when I occasionally have a rack of ribs.
MarcDecember 16, 2014
I have often heard the phrase "moderation in all things" in relation to the Word of Wisdom, but Section 89 doesn't say that. It says that we shouldn't use certain things AT ALL. That's not moderation. If "moderation" were a true principle, then the revelation would state that using strong drink, tobacco, or hot drinks in moderation would be acceptable. It doesn't. I don't know where this weird idea of "moderation in all things" comes from, but it's not a Gospel principle.
Dale TharpDecember 16, 2014
Ten years ago I switched to a whole food plant based diet. At that time I was told that I had one year to live as cancer would kill me. It was hard to switch but I knew with every mouth of food I would either live or die. I even thought that once I get rid of the cancer I would go back to my old diet. It took 3 years to get rid of the cancer and I love the way I feel and will never go back to those old bad habits. I am now 69 years old and live pain free. My wife and I are on a mission and enjoying life to it's fullest.
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Jane BirchDecember 23, 2014
DarlaG: Other readers have interpreted verse 15 as you have. Interestingly, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith gave his opinion that this is an incorrect interpretation. I’ve quoted Elder Smith and written on this topic here: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/about/the-word-of-wisdom/wow-faqs/pronoun-these-in-verse-15/. Note also that the Lord ordained grains to be the “staff of life,” which means the staple of our diet, or where the bulk of our calories come from. I personally am impressed that the USDA recommendation fits with this aspect of the Word of Wisdom, though of course we should try to make most of these “whole grains.” Where we get into trouble is when we consume refined grains that include lots of added salt, fat, and sugar. If you believe you are getting fat on just the whole grains, may I recommend you take a close look at the rest of your diet? Rather than dropping the whole grains that the Lord ordained to be the staff of life, we might eliminate other parts of our diet that are less healthy: processed foods (including oils), junk foods, and animal foods. See more on this topic here: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/qas/food-sensitivities/ [Please note that you can find all my responses to comments posted on these articles on my website: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/meridian-comments/]
Jane BirchDecember 23, 2014
Heather: You make a great point! I hope it is clear to everyone that what I write about is my interpretation of the Word of Wisdom. I also try to encourage everyone to prayerfully study the Word of Wisdom and get their own revelation from the Lord. I trust that you have done this, and I applaud you for following the inspiration you have received! What is also true is that (for all of us) God can only reveal to us what we are open and ready and willing to receive. Sometimes we mistake the inspiration we receive for ourselves as God’s final word on the topic when it may be just a step in the right direction for us. Note also that there are many grains we can choose from besides those with gluten. I draw from the expertise of the whole food, plant-based experts because I feel they help us open our eyes to meanings in D&C 89 that we haven’t seen. I try to tie everything I write about to the actual words in D&C 89. I invite others to do the same. Again this is just my reading, but you’ll note that D&C 89 says something more specific than “wholesome foods,” it actually says “wholesome herbs.” The word “herbs” means “plants” (see the footnote). Note also that D&C 89 says nothing about feeding our families from the animals we raise ourselves, though I’m sure that is better than factory-raised animals. Hopefully we are paying close attention to the actual text in D&C 89, carefully doing our research, and then seeking the Lord’s guidance in prayer. Bless you for doing all you feel is good for your family! [Please note that you can find all my responses to comments posted on these articles on my website: https://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/meridian-comments/]
HeatherDecember 19, 2014
The articles are interesting and well intentioned but not all people can tolerate wheat or gluten. We have chickens in our yard providing whole protein, organic eggs for our family. We do our utmost to prayerfully live a healthy lifestyle, using wholesome foods in the "season thereof." We apply wisdom to our food choices so please call this diet a wfpb diet by all means, but to call it the word of wisdom diet implies others views do not comply and is quite off putting.
DarlaGDecember 17, 2014
What about verse 15, which seems to note that grains, like meat, are to be used sparingly, too. So, perhaps excess wheat, corn, oats, barley, etc. is not much better than excess meat consumption.Surely the old food pyramid recommendation of 6-11 servings a day is excessive. I, among many, did nothing but store fat eating that way- even if it was all almost exclusively whole wheat/ whole grain.
LeanneDecember 17, 2014
@Jesse: I felt the same way for many years, and struggled to understand what "sparingly" meant. In fact, my family raised cattle, pigs, and chickens! I was shocked when I finally found the answer in verse 13 of the Word of Wisdom. It's not a commandment to abstain from meat, but who doesn't want to "please the Lord"? And I have to say, in just a month and a half, I have seen some dramatic changes in my health and energy. The proof for me has been the physical and spiritual blessings of eating this way.
Lyle DavieauDecember 17, 2014
Where can I buy wheat that has not been soaked with Roundup (glyphosate), which is widely used in North America.
Jesse BrownDecember 16, 2014
After the Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego they complained about their daily ration of meat--over 5 pounds per day! Back in those times, people ate a lot of meat.Perhaps that was what the Lord was talking about when he advised us to eat meat sparingly. 5 pounds a day is way too much. But the "flesh of beasts" has been ordained for the use of man and I don't have a guilt problem when I occasionally have a rack of ribs.
MarcDecember 16, 2014
I have often heard the phrase "moderation in all things" in relation to the Word of Wisdom, but Section 89 doesn't say that. It says that we shouldn't use certain things AT ALL. That's not moderation. If "moderation" were a true principle, then the revelation would state that using strong drink, tobacco, or hot drinks in moderation would be acceptable. It doesn't. I don't know where this weird idea of "moderation in all things" comes from, but it's not a Gospel principle.
Dale TharpDecember 16, 2014
Ten years ago I switched to a whole food plant based diet. At that time I was told that I had one year to live as cancer would kill me. It was hard to switch but I knew with every mouth of food I would either live or die. I even thought that once I get rid of the cancer I would go back to my old diet. It took 3 years to get rid of the cancer and I love the way I feel and will never go back to those old bad habits. I am now 69 years old and live pain free. My wife and I are on a mission and enjoying life to it's fullest.
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