On this day in 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that would become later become Doctrine and Covenants Section 89. Section 89 contains the Lord’s desire for us to take care of our physical and spiritual bodies and provides us with the Word of Wisdom to help in achieving this goal. The Word of Wisdom is the Lord’s law of health and contains commandments and guidelines for His children to live happy, healthy and spiritually receptive lives.
The Word of Wisdom has been interpreted by Church leaders to prohibit coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, non-prescribed drugs, and excessive consumption of meat. Additionally, the Word of Wisdom contains specific wording that urges followers of this commandment to live healthy and active lives. The Lord promises that if we follow this commandment we “shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones” and “find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.”
In today’s world of ever-changing health trends and new scientific discoveries, it can be easy to feel some confusion about how to best stay healthy. We can easily find contradicting scientific evidence that certain substances that are prohibited in the Word of Wisdom have unique health benefits according to scientists and dietitians. However, in moments such as these, it is important to remember that the Word of Wisdom is not simply a health code, but it is a commandment from a loving Father in Heaven, and like all commandments, it is an opportunity to show our love and devotion to Him. Additionally, Apostles and Prophets have emphasized that living the Word of Wisdom often does more for us spiritually than physically. President Boyd K. Packer once said,
“I have come to know that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. From the time you are very little we teach you to avoid tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco, narcotics, and anything else that disturbs your health. And you know that we get very worried when we find one of you tampering with those things. If someone ‘under the influence’ can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual prompting that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically.” Boyd K. Packer, November 1979 Ensign.
The Word of Wisdom as well seeks to protect us from harmful addictions in all forms, whether they be things listed in the Word of Wisdom or any other type of behavior that can become harmful and addictive. President Russell M. Nelson stated in a past General Conference that we can be free from addictions by following the Word of Wisdom, and if we find ourselves in the grips of addiction, we can escape through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. He then “wrote us a spiritual prescription” that includes six choices to set us free. These six choices are:
- Choose to Be Alive
- Choose to Believe
- Choose to Change
- Choose to Be Different
- Choose to Exercise
- Choose to Be Free
President Nelson and many other general authorities have promised blessings from following the Word of Wisdom, many of which come down to spiritual receptiveness. Our Father in Heaven gives us commandments to help us draw closer to Him, and following His commandments is never a one-way street. As we strive to follow the Word of Wisdom, we are promised that we’ll have greater access to the spirit of revelation, peace, and clarity in our daily lives.
What are some ways you have felt the blessings of living the Word of Wisdom in your life?
Devin Justesen
Devin is a graduate of Brigham Young University where he studied English and Business Management. He is a writer, photographer, movie-fanatic, and a lover of street tacos. He served his mission in Tokyo, Japan.
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…and we’re back, with an amazing guest-post by Skip Hellewell from Word of Wisdom Living on how to hack your health, using the Word of Wisdom, and the Spirit as your guides.
Almost two centuries ago Joseph Smith brought forth the Word of Wisdom. Considering the overwhelming complexity of nutrition science, it was a breathtakingly simple document. Seven basic rules: three of them prohibitions, four of them prescriptions (wholesome fruits and herbs, sparing meat, whole grains) defined our diet. It took the Church 90 years to master the prohibitions—up until 1921 you could chew tobacco, drink coffee, or a little alcohol as long as you weren’t a drunkard, and still go to the temple. I still have a childhood memory from the aroma of my blessed Grandmother’s coffee percolating. The point here is that change is hard; these slow adopters of the Word of Wisdom were good people.
In the 20th century the old infectious diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, typhoid fever, polio, etc. were vanquished, first by public health improvements, later by vaccinations. But there arose a new class of diseases even more frightening. We know these as the chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, stroke, obesity and diabetes, a raft of autoimmune diseases, and so on. Do you recall the Joseph’s warning phrase, “destroying angel”? Today these diseases are the leading cause of premature death. They afflict you, and your friends also.
There is a growing mountain of scientific evidence that our best protection against these chronic diseases is to live the forgotten half of the Word of Wisdom—the prescriptions. Elder Dallin Oaks spoke brilliantly at the last conference of “Two Lines of Communication”, meaning priesthood revelation for the Church, and personal revelation for the member. This dichotomy is beautifully illustrated in the Word of Wisdom: the prohibitions are defined, and enforced, by priesthood revelation. Strong drink means alcohol, etc. The prescriptions, on the other hand, must be discovered by the member through study, meditation, and personal inspiration.
Elder Oaks answered a question I had puzzled with for a long time: For the health of the members, why doesn’t the Church speak up about nutrition? The answer (for me) was because we are all so different there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to nutrition. Around the world, member needs and circumstances differ, and we also differ in our willingness to change.
In this new century there has been an encouraging groundswell of interest in better nutrition. With the clues left for us in the Word of Wisdom, Joseph Smith uniquely prepared us to be leaders in today’s “food reformation”. So that is the goal of Word of Wisdom Living—to save the world. Ha, ha, ha. You have to laugh at such an overwhelming aspiration; it’s Quixotic isn’t it? But that is how reformations start. Want to join in? Visit us at Word of Wisdom Living.
Let us know how you feel about the Word of Wisdom and the health habits it prescribes in the comments.
Have a post idea? If you’d like to see about providing a guest post on MLH, contact us and tell us about it. We love to post articles that help people live fuller, more vibrant lives. Bonus if it speaks specifically to the uniqueness of living a faithful LDS lifestyle.
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Sometimes in life, words of wisdom have a way of sinking into your brain and changing your life for the better.
Words of wisdom are helpful to anyone looking to get inspired through words that are as powerful as they are meaningful.
Let us know your favorite words of wisdom quotes in the comment section below.
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- Common Sense Quotes
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According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, people regularly exposed to words of wisdom had higher levels of life satisfaction and well-being.
This suggests that wise sayings and quotes can positively impact our mental health and happiness.
What are the benefits of reading these words of wisdom?
Learning from others can be a great way to realize our dreams and avoid making common mistakes.
These impactful words of wisdom will:
- Inspire you to dig deeper
- Increase your sense of purpose
- Help you learn to cope with challenges
Inspirational quotes play a meaningful role in helping us realize our potential.
We’re counting down the ten most motivational wisdom quotes for students and workers.
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Our inspirational quote category page has even more inspirational and educational quotes.
Words of wisdom to bring out the best in you
In a survey conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education, 9 out of 10 Americans agreed that there is a strong connection between financial well-being and having access to financial advice and words of wisdom.
This indicates that wise words can help individuals make smart financial decisions.
1. “The best way out is always through.”- Robert Frost
When caught up in an unseemly situation, we usually look for the easy way out. And unfortunately, procrastination is the natural response. This quote serves us with a reminder that perhaps the best route is going “through” the problem, rather than around it. As a result, you find that good things begin to happen when you cease to delay and beat about the bush and take matters into your hand to resolve it.
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2. Carpe Diem – Latin Proverb
Coined in 23 BC by Horace, the term is derived from a poem in the Odes (book 1, number 11), and means “Seize the moment”. The Latin term over the years has evolved into the most quoted Latin phrase because of its implications to capture life’s opportunity and live life to the fullest!
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3. “Always Do What You Are Afraid To Do” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In each of our lives, there is this one person – if not ourselves – who holds us back in accomplishing our dreams. What better feeling to prove that every person is wrong by conquering your worst fears and doubts.
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Words of wisdom to help you fulfill your potential
According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, reading inspirational quotes can improve people’s mood and increase their resilience to stress.
This suggests that regularly reading words of wisdom can have a positive impact on our overall well-being.
4. “Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail.” – Charles Kettering
Believe that it is absolutely impossible to fail, and you might just start acting as per your thinking as well! In spite of the worries that things may not work out, believe in its possibility, and your actions will reflect this positivity too!
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5. “Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself.” – Theodore T. Hunger
Hunter tells us about how ultimately, our success and failure comes down to us- our hard work, our tenacity, and our perseverance.
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6. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu
Your goal may be big, and at times, it may seem impossible and difficult. You will feel like you’re failing and you’re not getting anywhere. But perseverance, belief and conviction in those small steps that you’re taking towards those goals is what you need to be confident about. Consistently follow your life mission, one step at a time, no matter how small the step may be.
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Words of wisdom to help unlock your full potential
A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that 71% of respondents reported feeling significant levels of stress.
By sharing motivational quotes and encouraging readers to reflect on their meaning, articles like “Words of Wisdom” can provide a helpful coping mechanism for those dealing with stress and anxiety.
7. “Opportunity is always knocking. The problem is that most people have the self-doubt station in their heads turned up way too loud to hear it” – Brian Vaszily
This funny motivational quote by Vaszily succinctly describes how we are the biggest enemies of ourselves, standing in the way of our success and accomplishments. Either we do not understand out true potential, or we begin to doubt our skills. It’s time to put aside all the worries to focus on what and how we can achieve excellence.
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8. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
Every day we see the violence around us. While there is very little that we can do, the Indian political leader says it best. Start with the man in the mirror. Be the change you want to see within others. While you can’t influence the world, you can be a better human, and become the testament of the change.
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9. “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Dr. Robert Schuller
As the weather gets harsher and tougher, it’s time to brace yourself! The difficult times are simply temporary, but it is due to those tough and difficult times that you are stronger today. The best part is that you are now tougher today than you were yesterday! And more importantly, you got through it all. Celebrate your strength!
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10. “You must not only aim right, but draw the bow with all your might.” – Henry David Thoreau
So you’re focused and know exactly what you want? It’s not enough. Thoreau tells us through a beautifully accurate metaphor how it’s not just enough to know the right direction, but also do everything possible to get to the finish line!
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Words of wisdom to inspire and motivate you
A study by the University of Konstanz found that reading and reflecting on wise sayings can improve cognitive functioning and problem-solving abilities.
This highlights the potential benefits of regularly exposing ourselves to words of wisdom.
11. “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” – Elbert Hubbard
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12. “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James
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13. “I’m always doing things I can’t do. That’s how I get to do them.” – Pablo Picasso
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14. “There are three constants in life…change, choice and principles.” –Stephen Covey
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15. “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” – Andre Gide
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16. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
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17. “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” – Rosa Parks
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18. “Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
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19. “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
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20. “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” – Thomas Paine
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21. “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino
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22. “You can never plan the future by the past.” —Edmund Burke
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23. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” —Friedrich Nietzsche
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24. “Lost time is never found again.” —Benjamin Franklin
25. “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” —Robert Frost
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Words of wisdom to broaden your thoughts
A study by the University of California, Riverside, found that individuals who practice daily affirmations are more likely to experience increased life satisfaction and well-being.
Incorporating motivational quotes into daily routines could help improve overall happiness and mental health.
26. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
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27. “No” simply means begin again at one level higher.” – Peter Diamandis
28. “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” – George Addair
29. “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” – Oprah Winfrey
30. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller
31. “Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is.” – Anne Frank
32. “Soon, when all is well, you’re going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad that you never gave up.” – Brittany Burgunder
33. “It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever – the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.” – Vince Lombardi
34. “The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.” – Mark Caine
35. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison
Words of wisdom to elevate your perspective
Research by the American Psychological Association reveals that positive self-talk, such as engaging with motivational quotes, can lead to better coping skills and stress management.
Incorporating words of wisdom into one’s life can help build resilience in the face of adversity.
36. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius
37. “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard
38. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
39. “Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” – Lou Holtz
40. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau
41. “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
42. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda
43. “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” – John F. Kennedy
44. “No one can compete with you on being you. Most of life is a search for who and what needs you the most.” – Naval Ravikant
45. “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” – Jim Rohn
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Words of wisdom to enlighten you
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a positive psychology researcher at the University of North Carolina, found that positive emotions, like those elicited by motivational quotes, can broaden an individual’s perspective and help them build valuable skills.
Reading words of wisdom can contribute to personal growth and long-term success.
46. “Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” – Conan O’Brien
47. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker
48. “The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” – John C. Maxwell
49. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
50. “What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds.” – Wayne Dyer
51. “Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.” – George Whitefield
52. “Show the world how much you’ll fight for the winners circle.” – Pat Riley
53. “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle Onassis
54. “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot. Make it hot by striking.” – William Butler Yeats
55. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh
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Words of wisdom to live by
In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans reported feeling that their personal lives were at least somewhat meaningful.
Sharing words of wisdom can help readers tap into and strengthen their sense of purpose, which can contribute to a greater sense of meaning in life.
56. “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
57. “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. There is no yesterday, no tomorrow, it’s all the same day.” – Janis Joplin
58. “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” — George Bernhard Shaw
59. “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” – Margaret Fuller
60. “He who fears he will suffer, already suffers because he fears.” — Michel De Montaigne
61. “Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion.” – Oprah Winfrey
62. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” — Confucius
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63. “The opinion which other people have of you is their problem, not yours.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
64. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit
65. “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.” – Melissa Etheridge
Words of wisdom to elevate your mind
The World Health Organization has identified stress as a leading cause of illness and disability worldwide, with approximately 1 in 5 people experiencing significant levels of stress.
This statistic highlights the importance of mental health and self-care, and can encourage readers to seek out words of wisdom to help them cope with stress and promote well-being.
66. “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” —Charles Kingsleigh
67. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” — George Lorimer
68. “Man is only truly great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination.” —Benjamin Disraeli
69. “Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see further.” —Thomas Carlyle
70. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” —Paulo Coelho
71. “The individual who says it is not possible should move out of the way of those doing it.” —Tricia Cunningham
72. “We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” —Marie Curie
73. “Build your own dreams or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” —Farrah Gray
74. “Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly.” —Neil Gaiman
75. “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” —Earl Nightingale
Words of wisdom that will change the way you think
According to a survey conducted by YouGov, the most commonly cited source of inspiration for Americans is their own personal experiences.
This statistic highlights the value of personal growth and introspection, and can encourage readers to reflect on their own experiences and seek out words of wisdom to guide them through life’s challenges.
76. “Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.”― Roy T. Bennett
77. “I believe in only one thing, the power of human will.”― Joseph Stalin
78. “Laughter is poison to fear.”― George R.R. Martin
79. “A wise warrior learns from her mistakes.”― Leigh Bardugo
80. “Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise.”― Horace
81. “The well-bred contradict other people. the wise contradict themselves.”― Oscar Wilde
82. “I don’t fancy colors of the face, I’m always attracted to colors of the brain.”― Michael Bassey Johnson
83. “I don’t agree that when you love, you are blind or fool. You just get wiser and see clearer what is best and of worth.”― Hark Herald Sarmiento
84. “Like a missing tooth, sometimes an absence is more noticeable than a presence.”― Jodi Picoult
85. “Love the people who love you back.”― Laura Ruby
Words of wisdom to inspire you to greatness
A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that reading inspirational quotes can increase feelings of hope and optimism.
This statistic can encourage readers to seek out and share words of wisdom, potentially improving their mood and outlook on life.
86. “It’s the questions we can’t answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he’ll look for his own answers.”― Patrick Rothfuss
87. “Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”― Roy T. Bennett
88. “Dieting is the only game where you win when you lose!”― Karl Lagerfeld
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89. “No matter how tiny you look, you can lead huge men if you have what the huge men don’t have.”― Michael Bassey Johnson
90. “I criticize by creation, not by finding fault.”― Marcus Tullius Cicero
91. “Faith keeps our ships moving, while empathy and the memories of our experiences lead to wisdom.”― Suzy Kassem
92. “The wisest men follow their own direction.”― Euripides
93. “Make your lives a masterpiece, you only get one canvas.”― E.A. Bucchianeri
94. “The weak are dominated by their ego, the wise dominate their ego, and the intelligent are in a constant struggle against their ego.”― Hamza Yusuf
95. “The choice to make good choices is the best choice you can choose. Fail to make that choice and on most choices you will lose.”― Ryan Lilly
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Words of wisdom to empower you
96. “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”― Roy T. Bennett
97. “Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.”― Samuel Lover
98. “Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.”― Steve Maraboli
99. “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. ”― William James
100. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”― Confucius
101. “You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.”― Eleanor Roosevelt
102. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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103. “In the end, you have to choose whether or not to trust someone.”― Sophie Kinsella
104. “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”― Pablo Picasso
105. “Don’t fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.”― Bruce Lee
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Powerful words of wisdom
106. “Pursue what catches your heart, not what catches your eyes.”― Roy T. Bennett
107. “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”― Napoleon Hill
108. “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”― Zig Ziglar
109. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”― Jim Rohn
110. “The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.”― Arthur C. Clarke
111. “Only he who attempts the absurd is capable of achieving the impossible.”― Miguel de Unamuno
112. “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”― Wayne W. Dyer
113. “Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.”― Jim Rohn
114. “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.”― Helen Keller
115. “I cannot let the fear of the past color the future.”― Julie Kagawa
116. “Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
117. “Don’t settle for what life gives you; make life better and build something.” — Ashton Kutcher
118. “You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak.” ― George Clooney
119. “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” – Les Brown
120. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln
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Inspirational words of wisdom
121. “We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” — Dr. Henry Link
122. “Enjoy your sweat because hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but without it, you don’t have a chance.” — Alex Rodriguez
123. “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.” — Confucius
124. “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” — Chris Grosser
125. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” — Jim Ryun
126. “Rarely have I seen a situation where doing less than the other guy is a good strategy.” — Jimmy Spithill
127. “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” — Pablo Picasso
128. “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey
129. “Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt
130. “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” — Oscar Wilde
Words of wisdom about change
131. “Play to your strengths. If you aren’t great at something, do more of what you’re great at.” – Jason Lemkin
132. “Change before you have to.” – Jack Welch
133. “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy
134. “Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” – Nikos Kazantzakis
135. “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill
136. “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein
137. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
138. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
139. “There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus
140. “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell
Words of wisdom you won’t forget
141. “Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular.” —Roy T. Bennett
142. “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” —Helen Keller
143. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” —Arthur Ashe
144. “Do one thing every day that scares you.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
145. “By changing nothing, nothing changes.” —Tony Robbins
146. “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” —Oscar Wilde
147. “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” —Stephen King
148. “Your big opportunity may be right where you are standing right now.” —Napoleon Hill
149. “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
150. “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” —C.S. Lewis
More words of wisdom
151. “Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.”- Brian Tracy
152. “It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” – William James
153. “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”- Rob Siltanen
154. “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell
155. “Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.”- Dalai Lama
156. “Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.” – Jim Rohn
157. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”- Walt Disney
158. “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
159. “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
160. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Words of wisdom you need to live by
161. “Spread love everywhere you go.” — Mother Teresa
162. “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
163. “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” — Audrey Hepburn
164. “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” — Carol Burnett
165. “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” — Michael Altshuler
166. “You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.” — Oprah Winfrey
167. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — Malala Yousafzai
168. “You can be everything. You can be the infinite amount of things that people are.” — Kesha
169. “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman
170. “Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put some sunglasses on.” — Lady Gaga
Short words of wisdom quotes
171. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” — Jim Rohn
172. “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
173. “O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!” — Walter Scott
174. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” — Lewis Carroll
175. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
176. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” — Jim Elliot
177. “What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.” — Ellen Glasgow
178. “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
179. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” — William Arthur Ward
180. “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” — John C. Maxwell
Words of wisdom about progress
181. “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass
182. “A little progress every day adds up to big results.” – Satya
183. “The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.” – Charles Kettering
184. “Progress is not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.” – Khalil Gibran
185. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw
186. “Failure is success in progress.” – Albert Einstein
187. “Success is steady progress toward one’s personal goals.” – Jim Rohn
188. “Some quit due to slow progress. Never grasping the fact that slow progress is progress.” – Jeff Olson
189. “Progress comes with practice, and practice comes with purpose. Know your “why.”” – Melissa Steginus
190. “Whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King
Motivational words of wisdom
191. “Do the scary thing first and get scared later.”― Lemony Snicket
192. “Don’t work to hard on appearing to be right, but on being right.”― Yuri van der Sluis
193. “Your mistakes can give you best lessons.”― Brajesh Kumar Singh
194. “You have to have drive and commitment – as well as an honest sense of what is and isn’t possible.”― Marcus Luttrell
195. “Look for the miracles in every moment.”― Lailah Gifty Akita
196. “If the journey wasnt challenging the destination wouldn’t be rewarding.
It’s the challenge that makes it great”― Foster Mkhabele
197. “There is no hurdle too high for you to jump over.”― Michael H. Forde
198. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and reality.”― Rodman Lu
199. “No man is a failure, for only he must not quit.”― Davinder Pahra
200. “You don’t know what happiness lies before you yet, you are now only in the commencement of your journey.”― Anne Brontë
Words of wisdom about life
201. “It is intuitive that people who smile and cut out negativity from their life will live longer, healthier lives.” – Deena B. Chopra
202. “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
203. “Life doesn’t exist to meet our expectations.” – Jerry Dorsman and Bob Davis, How to Achieve Peace of Mind
204. “Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.” —Dalai Lama
205. “Living a more positive life comes down to attitude and action.” – Catherine Pulsifer
206. “He that respects himself is safe from others.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
207. “Life is a learning process, and you have the opportunity to make a change right here and now.” – Lori Hill, 5 Gifts to Give Yourself
208. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” —Mark Twain
209. “Life is defined more by its risks than by its samenesses.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
210. “There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt
Deep words of wisdom
211. “Don’t waste your time with explanations, people only hear what they want to hear.” – Paulo Coelho
212. “It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.”― Maurice Switzer
213. “Pain can change you, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad change. Take that pain and turn it into wisdom.” – Dalai Lama
214. “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”― John Lennon
215. “If we manage ego wisely, we get the upside it delivers followed by strong returns.” – Dave Marcum
216. “Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.” ― Isaac Asimov
217. “For me, a sense of prosperity often comes with less rather than more.” – Lori Hill
218. “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”― Martin Luther King Jr.
219. “I not only use all the brains that I have but all that I can borrow.” – Woodrow Wilson
220. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”― Sharon Salzberg
Words Of Wisdom To Sharpen Your Wit
221. “The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice.” — Brian Herbert
222. “A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.” — Bruce Lee
223. “You don’t get character because you’re successful; you build character because of the hardships you face.” — Herman Edwards
224. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
225. “When the wisdom speaks, be silent. Do not waste your candle when the sun is there.” — Mehmet Murat Ildan
226. “If small things have the power to disturb you, then who you think you are is exactly that: small.” — Eckhart Tolle
227. “A person’s tongue can give you the taste of his heart.” — Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya
228. “You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.” — William Blake
229. “True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” — Socrates
230. “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” — Thomas Jefferson
Words of Wisdom To Give You Joy in What You Do
231. “Joy comes not through possession or ownership but through a wise and loving heart.” — Gautama Buddha
232. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero
233. “Control your destiny or somebody will.” — Jack Welch
234. “Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength.” — Laozi
235. “We must enhance the light, not fight the darkness.” — A. D. Gordon
236. “Don’t stumble over something behind you.” — Seneca the Younger
237. “It’s less about what you do and more about who you are doing it with.” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt
238. “To enjoy the rainbow, first enjoy the rain.” — Paulo Coelho
239. “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca the Younger
240. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” — Zig Ziglar
Words of Wisdom to Improve Your Thinking
241. “You’ve heard that it’s wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experience of others.” ― Rick Warren
242. “Self-improvement and success go hand in hand. Taking the steps to make yourself a better and more well-rounded individual will prove to be a wise decision.” ― Frank Long
243. “The wise man hath his thoughts in his head; the fool, on his tongue.” ― Ivan Panin
244. “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” ― George Bernard Shaw
245. “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ― Lao Tzu
246. “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” ― Albert Einstein
247. “Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” ― Francis Bacon
248. “It is said that wisdom lies not in seeing things, but seeing through things.” ― Manly P. Hall
249. “Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness.” ― Sophocles
250. “To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” ― Bertrand Russell
Words of Wisdom To Live In The Moment
251. “Neither can the wave that has passed by be recalled, nor the hour which has passed return again.” ― Ovid
252. “Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all.” ― Hypatia
253. “The more you know the less you need to say.” ― Jim Rohn
254. “To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to.” ― Khalil Gibran
255. “What you do to-day that is worthwhile, inspires others to act at some future time.” ― Marcus Garvey
256. “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” ― Aristotle
257. “Happiness belongs to the self sufficient.” ― Aristotle
258. “I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” ― Bruce Lee
259. “Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.” ― Shane Claiborne
260. “It’s never too late to learn.” ― Malcolm Forbes
Words of Wisdom To Sharpen Your Wit
261. “Easy to do are things that are bad and harmful to oneself. But exceedingly difficult to do are things that are good and beneficial.” ― Gautama Buddha
262. “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” ― Socrates
263. “Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do; give it to what you do or fail to do.” ― Gautama Buddha
264. “The real destroyer of inner peace is fear and distrust. Fear develops frustration, frustration develops anger, anger develops violence.” ― Dalai Lama
265. “Joy comes not through possession or ownership but through a wise and loving heart.” ― Gautama Buddha
266. “You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.” ― Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar
267. “Never does any pride enter the heart of a man except that his intelligence decreases by the same amount.” ― Muhammad al-Baqir
268. “Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.” ― Plato
269. “Honour may not win power, but it wins respect. And respect earns power.” ― Ishida Mitsunari
270. “When I have listened to my mistakes, I have grown.” ― Hugh Prather
Which of these words of wisdom was your favorite?
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FAIR Answers Wiki Table of Contents
The history and implementation of the Word of Wisdom
Jump to Subtopic:
- Revelations in Context: «Nevertheless, it required time to wind down practices that were so deeply ingrained in family tradition and culture»
- Question: Has the implementation and enforcement of the Word of Wisdom changed over time?
- Question: Did Heber J. Grant include a strict observance of the Word of Wisdom in the temple recommend interview because of the repeal of prohibition?
- Question: How was enforcement of the Word of Wisdom phased in over time?
Revelations in Context: «Nevertheless, it required time to wind down practices that were so deeply ingrained in family tradition and culture»
«The Word of Wisdom: D&C 89,» Revelations in Context on history.lds.org (11 June 2013):
Nevertheless, it required time to wind down practices that were so deeply ingrained in family tradition and culture, especially when fermented beverages of all kinds were frequently used for medicinal purposes. The term “strong drink” certainly included distilled spirits like whiskey, which hereafter the Latter-day Saints generally shunned. They took a more moderate approach to milder alcoholic beverages like beer and “pure wine of the grape of the vine of your own make” (see D&C 89:6). For the next two generations, Latter-day Saint leaders taught the Word of Wisdom as a command from God, but they tolerated a variety of viewpoints on how strictly the commandment should be observed. This incubation period gave the Saints time to develop their own tradition of abstinence from habit-forming substances. By the early twentieth century, when scientific medicines were more widely available and temple attendance had become a more regular feature of Latter-day Saint worship, the Church was ready to accept a more exacting standard of observance that would eliminate problems like alcoholism from among the obedient. In 1921, the Lord inspired Church president Heber J. Grant to call on all Saints to live the Word of Wisdom to the letter by completely abstaining from all alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. Today Church members are expected to live this higher standard.[1]
Question: Has the implementation and enforcement of the Word of Wisdom changed over time?
Early Latter-day Saints were not under the same requirements for the Word of Wisdom as today’s Saints are
Observance of the Word of Wisdom has changed over time, due to on-going revelation from modern-day prophets, who put greater emphasis on certain elements of the revelation originally given to Joseph Smith. Early Latter-day Saints were not under the same requirements as today’s Saints are. Latter-Day Saints believe that the Lord reveals his will to men «line upon line, precept upon precept,» (Isaiah 28:10-13 and others) and that revelation continues as circumstances change.
«Strong drink» was initially interpreted as hard liquor, and did not include beer or lightly fermented wine
The text of the Word of Wisdom forbids «strong drink» (D&C 89:5, 7), which was initially interpreted as distilled beverages (hard liquor). Beer, unfermented or lightly fermented wine, and cider were considered «mild drinks» (D&C 89:17) and therefore acceptable (note that verse 17 specifically permits «barley…for mild drinks»). The complete prohibition of alcoholic drinks of any kind only became part of the Word of Wisdom following the temperance movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant supported the movement and Grant made complete abstention from alcohol in any form a requirement for a temple recommend in the early 1920s.
Consider also that drinking water in Joseph Smith’s day (or during Biblical times) was a gamble because water purity was always questionable; a little alcohol in a beverage ensured that it was free of viruses and bacteria. The development of germ theory in the late 19th century lead to chemical treatments to ensure a safe supply of public drinking water. A strict ban of all alcohol in Joseph Smith’s time would have been a death sentence for many Latter-day Saints—especially during the 1832–1833 cholera pandemic, which spread its disease by water.
Tobacco, coffee and tea were not initially prohibited, but instead their use was discouraged
The same sort of «ramping up» of requirements occurred with regard to tobacco, coffee and tea. While use of these items was often discouraged by Church leaders, enforcement was usually light and confined to people who were severe abusers. For example, Brigham Young made the following remarks in April 1870 General Conference:
On Sunday, after meeting, going through the gallery which had been occupied by those claiming, no doubt, to be gentlemen, and perhaps, brethren, you might have supposed that cattle had been standing around there and dropping their nuisances. Here and there were great quids of tobacco, and places a foot or two feet square smeared with tobacco juice. I wish the door-keepers, when, in the future, they observe any persons besmearing the seats and floor in this way to request them to leave the house; and, if they refuse and will not stop spitting about and besmearing their neighbors, just take them and lead them out carefully and kindly. It is an imposition for those claiming to be gentlemen to spit tobacco juice for ladies to draw their clothes through and besmear them, or to leave their dirt in the house. We request all addicted to this practice, to omit it while in this house. Elders of Israel, if you must chew tobacco, omit it while in meeting, and when you leave, you can take a double portion, if you wish to. [2]
Kate Holbrook: The Word of Wisdom: Development and Practice
Question: Did Heber J. Grant include a strict observance of the Word of Wisdom in the temple recommend interview because of the repeal of prohibition?
The Word of Wisdom requirement in the temple recommend interview was in place for many years before Prohibition was repealed
The temple recommend requirement was in place by 1919. Prohibition wasn’t repealed until 1933.
A 1919 letter, Instructions to mission presidents, date October 8, 1919 clearly shows the Word of Wisdom requirement being in place at that time:
Temple Recommends
Presidents of Missions are not authorized to give temple recommends; these are issued by the President of the Church for mission members; upon obtaining suitable letters of recommendation from Mission Presidents for such members. Letters of recommendation should be given only to those who have been members of the Church at least a year, and in good standing for one year prior to giving the recommend. It must be known that they keep the Word of Wisdom, pay their tithing and otherwise are good members. Each letter of recommendation should specify what particular blessing the person is recommended to receive. [First Presidency: Heber J. Grant, Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose] [3]
The notion that President Grant could, unilaterally, institute such a change also goes against all established Church procedure and the scriptural mandate in D&C 107:27.
The church had been emphasizing the importance of living the Word of Wisdom from a very early time
The church had been emphasizing the importance of living the Word of Wisdom from a very early time. Clearly there were always many who refused to go along with it. Even Brigham Young had difficulty giving up coffee and tobacco until his later years. So, the Church kept emphasizing it.
- 1841 At a conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in Zarahemla, Iowa, commencing on Saturday August 7th, 1841 Times and Seasons, 2. 548
Resolved, That this church will not fellowship any person or persons who are in the habit of drinking ardent spirits, or keeping tipling shops, and we will use our best endeavors to suppress it.
- 1850 Millennial Star 12.3 (February 1, 1850): 42.
ORDINATIONS.—…. If he be guilty of drinking ardent spirits, instead of being ordained to the priesthood, he should be admonished; and if he should in any case, carry it to drunkenness, he should be strictly dealt with; and if he repent not, he should be excommunicated (42).
- 1851: Wilford Woodruff.
President Young … made many interesting remarks. He spoke upon the word of wisdom, of its origin &c. Said it was well kept when it was first given.[4]
- 1925: Heber J. Grant (April 1925):
President Wilford Woodruff from this stand, many years ago, called upon every man holding the Priesthood and occupying any office in this Church, to obey the Word of Wisdom or to resign and step aside. I reiterate that men who do not obey the Word of Wisdom are not worthy to stand as examples before the people, to be invited into private priesthood meetings and to discuss matters for the welfare of the Church of God. Their disobedience shows a lack of faith in the work of God. I shall not take your time to read all of the Word of Wisdom, but I shall take time to read the words of the living God that must be acknowledged by every Latter-day Saint to be the word of God, or he or she is not entitled to be a member of this Church. After telling us what is good for us, the Lord makes a promise that is one of the most marvelous, one of the most uplifting and inspiring promises that could possibly be made to mortal man.[5]
Question: How was enforcement of the Word of Wisdom phased in over time?
Brigham Young declined to make the Word of Wisdom a «test of fellowship»
Said Brigham Young in 1861:
Some of the brethren are very strenuous upon the «Word of Wisdom», and would like to have me preach upon it, and urge it upon the brethren, and make it a test of fellowship. I do not think I shall do so. I have never done so. [6]
Ezra T. Benson notes that observing the Word of Wisdom would be «pleasing» to our Heavenly Father
In 1867, Ezra T. Benson exhorted the Saints to live the law, but seemed to realize that not all the Saints of the time had the capacity:
Supposing he had given the Word of Wisdom as a command, how many of us would have been here? I do not know; but he gave this without command or constraint, observing that it would be pleasing in His sight for His people to obey its precepts. Ought we not to try to please our Heavenly Father? [7]
In 1870, Brigham Young left the compliance with the Word of Wisdom up to the individual
In 1870, Brigham Young again emphasized that this was a commandment of God, but that following was left, to an extent, with the people:
The observance of the Word of Wisdom, or interpretation of God’s requirements on this subject, must be left, partially, with the people. We cannot make laws like the Medes and Persians. We cannot say you shall never drink a cup of tea, or you shall never taste of this, or you shall never taste of that….[8]
In 1898, the First Presidency noted that bishops should not withhold temple recommends based upon the Word of Wisdom
Just before the turn of the century, in 1898, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve discussed the Word of Wisdom:
President Woodruff said he regarded the Word of Wisdom in its entirety as given of the Lord for the Latter-day Saints to observe, but he did not think that Bishops should withhold recommends from persons who did not adhere strictly to it. [9]
So, even by this date keeping the Word of Wisdom was not a “point of fellowship”—you could still have a temple recommend if you didn’t obey, though the leaders remained clear that it was a true doctrine from the Lord.
By 1902, temple recommends were beginning to be denied to those who did not follow the Word of Wisdom
By 1902, the Church leaders were strongly encouraging the members to keep the law, and were even beginning to deny temple recommends to those who would not. They were, however, still merciful and patient with the older members who had not been born into the system, and for whom change was presumably quite difficult:
[In 1902] Joseph F. Smith urged stake presidents and others to refuse recommends to flagrant violators but to be somewhat liberal with old men who used tobacco and old ladies who drank tea. Habitual drunkards, however, were to be denied temple recommends. [10]
By 1905, the Council of the Twelve were actively preaching that no man should hold a leadership position if he would not obey the Word of Wisdom. [11] On 5 July 1906, the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve began using water instead of wine for their sacrament meetings. [12] By 1915, President Joseph F. Smith instructed that no one was to be ordained to the priesthood or given temple recommends without adherence. [13] Heber J. Grant became President of the Church in 1918, and he continued the policy of Word of Wisdom observance; after that time temple attendance or priesthood ordination required obedience to the principle. Thus, the Church membership had eighty-five years to adapt and prepare for the full implementation of this revelation. [14] By 1933, the General Handbook of Instructions listed the Word of Wisdom as a requirement for temple worship, exactly 100 years after the receipt of the revelation by Joseph Smith. [15]
Joseph F. Smith reasoned that the long period of implementation was needed to allow people to overcome addictions
According to Joseph F. Smith, this long period of patience on the part of the Lord was necessary for all—from the newest member to even the leaders:
The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given—as not by ‘commandment or restraint’ was that at that time, at least, if it had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man, addicted to the use of these noxious things, under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law. [16]
Thus, we should not expect perfect observance of the Word of Wisdom (especially in its modern application) from early members or leaders. The Lord and the Church did not expect it of them—though the principle was taught and emphasized.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
Notes
- ↑ «The Word of Wisdom: D&C 89,» Revelations in Context on history.lds.org (11 June 2013)
- ↑ Deseret News (11 May 1870): 160; reprinted in Brigham Young, «Fortieth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,» Millennial Star 32 no. 22 (31 May 1870), 346. See discussion of the history in Robert J. McCue, «Did the Word of Wisdom Become a Commandment in 1851?,» Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 14 no. 3 (Autumn 1981), 66–77. off-site
- ↑ Instructions to mission presidents, October 8, 1919 Original circular letter. Church Historian’s Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. 5, p.163.
- ↑ 17 January 1851, Salt Lake City, Wilford Woodruff Journal Mss (BYA 2.40)
- ↑ Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, April 1925, p.9
- ↑ Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 9:35.
- ↑ Ezra T. Benson, Journal of Discourses 11:367.
- ↑ Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 14:20.
- ↑ Minutes of First Presidency and Council of Twelve Meeting, Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” May 5, 1898, LDS Church Archives; cited in Thomas G. Alexander, «The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement,» Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 14 no. 3 (Autumn 1981), 78–88. off-site
- ↑ Alexander, «Principle to Requirement,» 79.
- ↑ Alexander, «Principle to Requirement,» 79.
- ↑ This exception had been permitted by the Word of Wisdom from the beginning (see DC 89:5-6), though it was also clear that what one used for the sacramental emblems was not of primary doctrinal importance (see DC 27:).
- ↑ Alexander, «Principle to Requirement,» 82.
- ↑ See discussion in Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration: A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants and Other Modern Revelations (Salt Lake: Deseret Book, 1964), Doctrine and Covenants 89:2.
- ↑ McConkie and Ostler, ibid.
- ↑ Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report (October 1913), 14.
In a recent article in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, John Ferguson, Jana Riess, and I share results from the 2016 Next Mormons Survey regarding observance of the Word of Wisdom among self-identified American Mormons. We find that there is a high degree of variation in Word of Wisdom compliance. Less than half (45%) of American Mormons, for example, said that they had fully abstained from tea, alcohol, coffee, tobacco, marijuana, or other illegal substances in the last six months. While we might be tempted to assume that this represents mostly inactive Mormons, we found that full compliance increases to only 53% of American Mormons who say they attend church weekly. In other words, even among active, church-going Mormons, only about half say that they are “squeaky clean” Word of Wisdom observers. (More highlights from the article are available here and the full article is available for purchase from Dialogue for $1.99 here).
Perhaps most surprising (to some) were rates of Word of Wisdom violation even among those who report they have a current temple recommend. Among this group, a full 18% said they have had coffee in the last six months, another 18% said they have had tea, and 11% said they have consumed alcohol. One in ten say they’ve consumed tobacco and one in twenty say they’ve had marijuana.
This is surprising, of course, because temple recommend holders are required to report that they are in compliance with the Word of Wisdom in order to qualify for their recommends.
Some possible explanations for this apparent contradiction include:
First, perhaps many of these individuals desire a temple recommend for social or family reasons. After all, who wants to miss a family wedding or be known as a second class citizen in a strong Mormon community because they don’t have a current recommend? They may strategically make the choise to use “carefully worded denials” when asked about their Word of Wisdom observance in the temple recommend interview process.
Second, it is possible that many of these individuals are honestly answering this question in the affirmative, but are interpreting the Word of Wisdom differently than the official orthodox interpretation allows for. Perhaps they are interpreting the Word of Wisdom in such a way, for example, as to focus on moderation and addiction rather than a check-list of do’s and don’t. This would be possible because interviewers are specifically instructed in Handbook 1 that they “should not add any requirements to those that are outlined in the temple recommend book,” usually leaving interviewees to interpret the meaning of the questions for themselves.
Another explanation might also be that some interviewees may simply be unaware of the prevailing orthodox interpretation of the Word of Wisdom and so simply answer “yes” out of ignorance. This is of course possible, but I tend to think unlikely for most people in this category given how salient the Word of Wisdom is to Mormon cultural identity and how frequently it is hammered home in missionary discussions, youth lessons, etc.
Using the Next Mormons Survey, we can take a closer look at these temple recommend-holding Mormons who report consuming the three most commonly consumed Word of Wisdom substances in the last six months: coffee, tea, and alcohol:
| Coffee | Non-herbal tea | Alcohol | |
| Convert | 34.7% | 25% | 24.4% |
| Born in the Church | 11.9% | 15.6% | 5.5% |
| Millennial | 27.4% | 25% | 15.8% |
| GenX | 20.6% | 17.5% | 12.9% |
| Baby Boomer/Silent | 4.9% | 11.1% | 2.7% |
| Male | 26.4% | 23.6% | 15.2% |
| Female | 11.9% | 13.9% | 7.4% |
| White | 17.1% | 18.6% | 10.3% |
| Nonwhite | 31.5% | 15.6% | 17.1% |
| Income < 50K | 15.9% | 20.9% | 11.6% |
| Income 50K-100K | 21.3% | 18.5% | 10.3% |
| College degree | 18.2% | 13.3% | 10.8% |
| Less than college degree | 17.7% | 21% | 11.2% |
| Lives in Utah | 4.5% | 9.4% | 1% |
| Does not live in Utah | 26.9% | 23.7% | 17.1% |
| Democrat and leaner | 40.6% | 33.8% | 25.7% |
| Independent | 12.3% | 18.5% | 4.3% |
| Republican and leaner | 10.8% | 12.4% | 6.2% |
| LDS Church should “preserve traditional teachings” | 14.2% | 14.0% | 8.1% |
| LDS Church should “adjust beliefs in light of modern circumstances” | 32% | 37.2% | 21.6% |
This table is showing us the percentage of current temple recommend holders in each of the row categories who say that they’ve had either coffee, non-herbal tea, or alcohol, respectively.
Some general trends are evident: Mormon temple recommend holders who are younger, converts, men, non-white, and those who are politically and theologically liberal are generally more likely to report consuming coffee, alcohol, or non-herbal tea than those who are older, born in the church, women, white, and politically/theologically conservative, respectively.
It is also interesting to note that recommend holders most likely to drink coffee are converts, Democrats, and racial/ethnic minorities. Those most likely to drink alcohol are converts and political/theological liberals. Also, notably, alcohol consumption among Utah recommend holders is nearly non-existent– it is almost exclusively among non-Utah Mormons that we find alcohol consumption among recommend holders.
Recall that our three hypotheses from before about the prevalence of Word of Wisdom violations among current temple recommend holders include: 1) “carefully worded denials” in the interview process, 2) more open interpretations of the Word of Wisdom among many recommend holders, or 3) ignorance of the Word of Wisdom requirements.
Does the information above help us critically evaluate the likelihood of any of these competing hypotheses? What are other possible explanations? Also, what are the implications for contemporary Mormon religious practice/belief if somewhere between 10%-20% of temple recommend holders do not comply with prevailing interpretations of one of Mormonism’s most salient cultural markers? What else can we learn from this information?
Discuss.
Benjamin Knoll
Benjamin Knoll is a political science professor at a liberal arts college in central Kentucky. He is a seventh-generation Mormon (on his mother’s side) who finds meaningful religious and spiritual expression in a variety of traditions, practices, and contexts. He’s a married father of three girls.
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