(9/7/97)
When the Word of Wisdom was given, many people questioned it,
and many didn't accept it as the word of the Lord. Some say it
was not a commandment, but when the Lord said he would like
you to do it, to me that is commandment enough.—President N.
Eldon Tanner, General Conference, October 1973
(9/8/97)
The physical blessings of health and strength that are
promised through obedience to the Word of Wisdom are now
well-known and well documented. In addition, the spiritual
blessings of "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even
hidden treasures," come to those who keep their bodies free
from addictive substances. When we obey the Word of Wisdom,
windows of personal revelation are opened to us and our souls
are filled with divine light and truth. If we keep our bodies
undefiled, the Holy Ghost "shall come upon [us] and... dwell
in [our] heart[s]" and teach us "the peaceable things of
immortal glory."—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference,
October 1995
(9/9/97)
Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions,
the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you
learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your
body. That is why the Word of Wisdom 26 is so important.... Do
not ignore the Word of Wisdom, for that may cost you the
"great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures" promised
to those who keep it. And good health is an added
blessing.—Elder Boyd K. Packer, General Conference, October
1994
(9/10/97)
Marrow has long been a symbol of vibrant, healthful living.
But in a day of life-saving bone marrow transplants, the
phrase "marrow to their bones" takes on an additional
significance as a spiritual covenant. The promises for those
who keep the Word of Wisdom
continue. Those who observe this law " shall find wisdom and
great
treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run
and not
be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give
unto
them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them,
as the
children of Israel, and not slay them" (D&C
89:19-21).—Elder James
E. Faust, General Conference, April 1992
(9/11/97)
Good physical and-spiritual health can help us to stay on the
straight and narrow way. The Lord gave his code of health in
the Word of Wisdom, a "principle with promise" that modern
medical science continues to substantiate (D&C 89:3). All
of God's commandments, including the Word of Wisdom, are
spiritual (see D&C 29:34-35). We need to nourish ourselves
spiritually even more than physically. Are we giving adequate
emphasis to our spiritual health?—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin,
General Conference, October 1990
(9/12/97)There is another part of this revelation that constitutes a pertinent warning to this modern generation: "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation." (D&C 89:4.) The Lord foresaw the situation of today when motives for money would cause men to conspire to entice others to take noxious substances into their bodies. Advertisements which promote beer, wine, liquors, coffee, tobacco, and other harmful substances are examples of what the Lord foresaw. But the most pernicious example of an evil conspiracy in our time is those who induce young people into the use of drugs.—President Ezra Taft Benson (April 1983)
(9/13/97)
Joseph Smith through revelation taught a new concept of the
human body as the tabernacle of the spirit. A man's body is
sacred and is not to be violated. Any willful impairment is an
affront to God, and therefore care of the body is of spiritual
significance. To assist us in keeping our bodies as proper
abodes for our spirits, Joseph Smith received a revelation
known as the Word of Wisdom, which if followed will bring
great blessings to body and mind.—President N. Eldon Tanner,
General Conference, October 1979
(7/11/05)
"The Word of Wisdom does not
promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the
body you were born with in the best condition and your mind
alert to delicate spiritual promptings....
"The promise of health for living the standard of the
revelation is not limited to members of the Church. Tell
your nonmember friends about the Word of Wisdom and urge
them to live it." - Boyd K. Packer, "The
Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,"
Ensign, May 1996, 18
12/31/07
"We preach
and discuss the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom, and
usually think of the temporal blessings that will come to us
in increased health if we live in harmony with its teaching,
that we might run and not be weary and walk and not faint, and
the destroying angel should pass us by, but there is also a
spiritual aspect which is more far-reaching and should
stimulate us to high purpose. The promise I am thinking of is
this:
"'And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures...' (Doc. & Cov. 89:18, 19.)
"What could be so priceless as wisdom and knowledge, even hidden treasures?" - Spencer W. Kimball, "Conference Report," October 1944, Afternoon Meeting, p.42
6/25/08
"Now,
as to faith: Believe me, you can count on all that God has
said. More than a hundred thirty-six years ago, to a young
prophet he said simply, '...
tobacco is not... good for man...." (D&C 89:8.) It has
taken medical science more than a century to prove that the
Lord knew what he was talking about. When he tells us
something, he expects us to believe it. It doesn't take faith
to believe the Word of Wisdom any more. It just takes a little
common sense." - Richard L. Evans, "Conference Report,"
October 1969, Afternoon Meeting, p.67 - 68
11/27/09
“Are
you teaching your children to keep the Word of Wisdom only
because it is a good health habit, or are you teaching them
that by not keeping the Word of Wisdom they are not eligible
to receive the knowledge and understanding to comprehend the
laws of godliness, and so will be deprived of the opportunity
to receive the power of the priesthood, and then not be
permitted to enter the temple and thereby lose all the
blessings of increase for all eternity? That is quite a price
to pay, I would say. We are told they will become ministering
angels, and in worlds without end shall have no increase. (See
D. & C. 132:15-18.)” - Eldred G. Smith, “Conference
Report,” October 1948, Afternoon Meeting, p. 93
8/23/11
The Word of Wisdom allows us
to know that the Lord is vitally concerned about the health of
His Saints. He has graciously given us counsel for improving
our health, endurance, and resistance to many diseases.
The temporal promise for
obedience is: They “shall receive health in their navel and
marrow to their bones; … [they] shall run and not be weary,
and shall walk and not faint.” (D&C 89:18, 20.)
I have always felt, however,
that the greater blessing of obedience to the Word of Wisdom
and all other commandments is spiritual.
Listen to the spiritual
promise: “All saints who remember to keep and do these
sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, … shall
find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden
treasures.” (D&C 89:18, 19; italics added.) - Ezra Taft
Benson, "A Principle With a Promise," Ensign (CR) April 1983