Drifting Speculations: Doctrine and Covenants Section 89

Today I want to discuss something that is close to my heart, two things really. Nutrition and the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (The Church). I am a convert to The Church, baptized May 2008. I investigated The Church for several months before I decided to count myself as a member. One of the more persuasive aspect of The Church was there focus on health. Health has always been of the utmost importance to me. I was raised in a Pagan household, so the concept of one's body being a temple was not new to me. I was impressed that a Christian religion followed that philosophy as well through health and nutrition. However, as time progressed I found a lot of hypocrisies within The Church's culture. Although getting tattoos, smoking, and alcohol were frowned upon and will likely keep an individual from entering the temple. Gorging oneself with unhealthy junk food is not only overlooked but celebrated through most church enrichment activities. Initially I overlooked this issue. However, the catalyst to how I feel now accord when I had my temple recommend interview a year after my baptism. Although there was always this nagging feeling about the state of health among many church members. It wasn't until the question arose about the Word of Wisdom in my temple recommend interview that I began to put the puzzle pieces together as to why that nagging feeling existed. You see, when I was asked the question about the Word of Wisdom, at the time, I could answer confidently that I did in fact follow it according to section 89 in D&C. However, I knew in my mind that so many who did (and do) go to the temple did/do not. Now, I want to bring to attention that I try my hardest to not judge others, or force my own understandings of concepts on them. But when I see a blatant disregard for the Word of Wisdom as it is outlined in the scriptures, coupled with the double standard that others who suffer from other aspects of the Word of Wisdom or other temple interview questions are denied the privilege of entering The House of the Lord, now that bothers me immensely. In addition, once in the temple I found that the cafeteria did not support the Word of Wisdom either. This was very alarming to me.

The Word of Wisdom is more than avoiding drugs and alcohol it's about being healthy and treating your body as the sacred temple, a gift from God. To ass to that, food is an addiction. Now I am not classified as an expert. I have majored in Nutrition and have suffered from a food addiction myself, but I do not have the credentials to make such a statement. However, I know as sure as I know my own name that food is an addiction. One that many member's of the church unknowingly suffer from. Sugar in particular is just as harmful to one's body as alcohol and just as addicting. It makes scene that Heavenly Father would want us to avoid sugar and to eat the things that are outlined in the Word of Wisdom. I am going to include a link from Youtube that I found particularly insightful in regard to the relation of sugar and alcohol as well as other insights on sugar's reaction in the body. It's long but extremely interesting if you have the time to watch it. It will be well worth your efforts.

One thought that I had as to why there has not been more enforcement is that The Church does not want bad press. I'm sure that the public news would have a field day if there was any indication that The Church discriminated against fat people. Which is how it may be perceived through the twisting and manipulation of some public networks. However, there are many other stances that may be perceived negatively in the secular eye that The Church stands firmly by. This does not address the other facet of The Church enrichment activities which are usually saturated with unhealthy foods as well as the use of candy in Primary (I am a primary teacher as a side mote). Even if The Church was not comfortable in dictated how people should eat at all times the leaders could at least encourage healthy eating within the church buildings and other activities as well as talk about health more in General Conference and other minor conferences. I would not stress this as much if it wasn't actual doctrine. Which it is! It is a huge test of my testimony that there is a blatant disregard of doctrine straight from our Heavenly Father within the culture of The Church. And not just at a local level, but world wide. This is an epidemic. And I feel strongly that people will be held accountable for it in the next life.