Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 89

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
         SECTION 89

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1:327—329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.

Revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1:327—329. In response to a complaint of Emma Smith it was brought to the attention of Joseph Smith that the environment of the High Priest Council meetings was questionable in the sight of God. Thus the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a guiding Principle of Heaven in terms of the care and control of the physical natural man, the body of man in terms of the Order and Will of God. This Eternal Principle was much more than a simple answer to the use of tobacco. It was and is an Eternal Principle of the mastery and control of the tabernacle of flesh which houses the Spirit Intelligence of man.
Daniel and his comrades reap the blessings of living the principle of the Word of Wisdom in respect to the spirit's mastery of the natural man, the blessings of increased health and intelligence receive from God, and an increase in their moral character and emotional stability of knowing who they are and what they stand for.
    1—9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed;
    10—17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for he use of man and of animals;
    18—21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

Inspired Introduction

We call the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible the Inspired Version, thus it should be understood that this first three verse introduction to this revelation is as much a revelation as the rest of it. The only difference is that it was received after the first was given and perhaps by a differing means of 'inspiration' or revelation. The point is that it is as much from God as the rest of the section is and perhaps further has an added meaning and purpose to be given as an 'introduction' to the rest of it.

D&C 89:1 A aWORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of the council of high priestsa, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also to the saints in Zionb—
D&C 89:2 To be sent greeting; not be commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and bwill of Goda in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
D&C 89:3 Given for a principle with apromisea, adapted to the capacity of the bweak and the weakest of all csaints, who are or can be called saints.

A Principle 
A 'Principle' is a higher order of thought, a guiding order of thought upon which laws and commandments are based upon. Sometimes called the Lord's Law of Health, the fundamental principle of the Word of Wisdom is actually much higher and broader in it thought process than being a Law. A better statement might be that the Word of Wisdom is the guiding principle upon which many laws of health and commandments are based upon. If one were to break down a principle into every single law and commandment which it does govern and effect, the actual list of such laws and commandments would be an endless list of 'Dos' and 'Don't', 'Thou Shalts' and 'Thou Shalt Nots'. Thus when it states that the Word of Wisdom is a 'principle' with a promise, one should logically consider that what it does state is but some 'general guiding examples'. That is, the word of wisdoms does not end with just not partaking of 'coffee', 'tea', tobacco and alcohol, it extends to the whole range of those 'stimulants' and related 'depressants' which includes the vast gamut of such drugs and substances which so react adversely upon the human body, the tabernacle of our spirit and intelligence. 		 1a for the benefit of the council of high priests The Word of Wisdom is an eternal principle of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus it belongs to and is a part of the highest order of the Priesthood of God and that is the Councils of God's High Priests. Thus it is natural that it so be first addressed to such as that order and council of God's High Priests. Emma Smith was quite correct in ascertaining that God's spirit and presence would find it difficult to tolerate such low environment as one enveloped in tobacco and bodies under such effects as such stimulates and even depressants as coffee, tea and alcohol. Emma's influence may have prompted the question, but the answer was that from God in relationship to much more than the having to clean up a tobacco mess.
 1b also to the saints in Zion While the proper order of address would have been the 'High Priesthood' of the kingdom, the Word of Wisdom is in effect upon the whole of God's Kingdom, the whole of Zion. All who expect to obtain God's Kingdom is bound by it. It is a guiding principle of God's Heaven.
 2a the order and will of God As 'meek' followers of Christ's Gospel, God's Gospel, we are in subject to the mind and will of God. That is what being meek means, submitting one's self unto God, his mind, his will and 'His Order of Things'. This is a 'High Order and Standard of Living' required by those who obtain God's Kingdom. That Kingdom is a 'House of Order' brought about God's priesthood and organization. God's ordinances are bestowed upon man by those who have been properly ordained by the proper lines of God's authority. And it is that properly ordained line of authority that establishes the Order of the Kingdom of God. An essential principle of God's Holy Order of His Kingdom is that which relates to the Word of Wisdom and God's Laws and Commandments in respect to maintaining and preserving the health and well being of that body of flesh and bone, which will forever become the tabernacle to our spirits of intelligence. One cannot expect to live God's High Order for ever it they are polluting the very 'vehicle' or 'body' within which a being does forever exist in. Proper care of one's Celestial and Eternal Body is an essential Principle of God's Holy Order of the Kingdom of Heaven.
 3a a principle with promise Just as any Law of God comes with such related blessings and consequences, so does the laws and commandments associated with God's high principle of the Word of Wisdom. Within the revealed Word of Wisdom as such stated promises of blessings and the also implied consequences. D&C 130:20-21 states, "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." Such is the case of the Word of Wisdom. If we are to receive the blessings stated concerning this 'principle with promise', we must live the principle in order to receive the promise or the blessings, which are predicated upon it. 		 1a TG Word of Wisdom
 2a 1 Cor. 12:8; D&C 84:44
   b D&C 29:34;
      TG Commandments of God;
      TG God, Will of
 3a Eph. 2:12; Eph. 6:2;
      D&C 89:18-21
   b 2 Cor. 12:10; D&C 1:19
      TG Humility
   c TG Saints

God's Order
The Order of Heaven 
  Often we consider the Word of Wisdom to one of God's lesser 'commandments', after all it is not one of the great Ten Commandments nor is it included as part of God's greatest and second greatest of commandments. And thus we preclude that it is 'less' essential than such other commandments of God. Let me assure you, it is not such. It is not a lesser commandment, which is less essential to obtaining Heaven, God's Kingdom. In fact it is quite essential, required, critical and even crucial in obtaining Heaven. It is one of the highest of God's guiding principles upon which the Order of Heaven is based and established upon. Only when one comes to understand the Principle of the Word of Wisdom does one become acquainted with just how essential it is to God's Kingdom. Man is made up of certain and various aspects. We were and have always been 'intelligences'. Our intelligence is an essential and indivisible part of our pre-mortal spirits. They are inseparable. This will eventually also become the case in relationship to our bodies of flesh and bone. Upon the event of our resurrection, our bodies of flesh and bone will also become forever an essential and indivisible part of our intelligence and our spirit. Our body will be that inseparable tabernacle within which our intelligence and spirit will then forever reside and be a part of. It therefore become crucial that we learn to control and care for this tabernacle of flesh and bone based upon the principle, laws and commandments of eternity upon which it must so maintained forever. This then is the foundation of that principle with promise which is the 'Word of Wisdom'.

The natural man, this tabernacle of flesh obtained in this second estate, is of a 'carnal' nature and by its nature is an enemy of God and the Order of God. When our Spirit of Intelligence becomes housed in this physical temporal tabernacle, we become infused in that timeless struggle of which and what will rule and control, the 'Natural Man' or the 'Spirit Within'? Our eternal destiny becomes dependant upon the success of that struggle. Will the desires and cravings of the natural man bear sway over our spirit intelligence or will the spirit intelligence obtain mastery over the flesh? And to what degree that becomes effect has everything to do with just where it is that we will end up, to what degree of glory we will obtain. So now, just how essential is this guiding principle, this Principle of the Word of Wisdom wherein we learn to care for and control this tangible body within which we are housed? Is there so little wonder why President Grant and others of the prophets have so abundantly stress living and complying to the Word of Wisdom?

Thus Saith the Lord
D&C 89:4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn youa, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

 4a and forewarn you This is a prophetic 'forewarning' of the future. The tobacco industry is a prime example of the fulfilling of this 'forewarning'. As set out by President David O. Mckay, he pointed out that the tobacco industry first contrived to induce women to become common societal smokers when it was not socially acceptable for a female to smoke. And then he predicted that the same tobacco industry would seek out to market their product to children under age which has recently been confirmed in the courtrooms and with such cartoon images as 'Joe Camel'. Such 'prophetic forewarnings' would not have been thought of in 1833. But the Lord knew the future and the conspiring of men to make money even at the harm to other human beings.  4a TG Deceit; TG Evil
   b TG Conspiracy; TG Wickedness
   c TG Warnings

DON'Ts ~ Care of the Body

President McKay used a single descriptive word before the Queen of the Netherlands when he stated we do not believe in partaking of 'Stimulants'. Certainly all drugs and other substances which artificially 'stimulate' or 'depress' or effect the body in manners which are artificial and unnatural would fit into this category. The guideline examples the Lord give as applicable in 1833 of substance abuse are as follows:

Alcohol
D&C 89:5 That inasmuch as any man adrinketh bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight [presence] of your Fathera, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
D&C 89:6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
D&C 89:7 And, again, astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

 5a in the sight of your Father To be in the 'sight' of God the Father would to be in his presence. Such behavior which is against God's Eternal Principle of the Word of Wisdom is not tolerable in the presence of God.  5a TG Abstinence
   b Lev. 10:9-11; Isa. 5:22 (11, 22);
      Rom. 14:21; D&C 27:3;
      TG Drunkenness; TG Temperance;
      TG Word of Wisdom
 6a D&C 27:3 (1-14)
 7a Prov. 20:1; Prov. 23:30 (29-35);
      Luke 1:15

Tobacco
D&C 89:8 And again, tobacco is not for the abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

 8a TG Body, Sanctity of; TG Health

Tea and Coffee
D&C 89:9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

 

DOs ~ Care of the Body

Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables ~ Organic Eatables
D&C 89:10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
D&C 89:11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with aprudence and bthanksgiving.

 10a IE plants.; Gen. 1:29;
        D&C 59:17-20
 11a TG Prudence; TG Temperance
     b 1 Tim. 4:3-4; TG Thanksgiving

Meats
D&C 89:12 Yea, aflesh also of bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgivinga; nevertheless they are to be used csparinglyb;
D&C 89:13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or bfaminea.

 12a I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving God has ordained the use of meats for human consumption. We are not vegetarians. This is on the one hand.
 12b they are to be used sparingly On the other hand, they are NOT to become the staple of our diet. Often people eat every mean with meat as their main course. We ought to consider that such is NOT within the stipulation of the Lord's meaning of the term 'sparingly'.
 13a it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine What is most pleasing to the Lord is that 'meats' should not be used in times when all the other foods for man are plentiful, that is when it is not winter, or cold or in times of famine. When is their season, the other types of food for man should be used in preference to meats. This is most pleasing unto God.
 12a Gen. 9:3; Lev. 11:2 (1-8);
        TG Meat
     b D&C 49:19
     c TG Temperance
 13a D&C 59:20 (16-20)
     b TG Famine

Grains
D&C 89:14 All agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
D&C 89:15 And athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
D&C 89:16 All grain is good for the afood of man; as also the bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
D&C 89:17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

 14a See "Corn" in BD.;
        Dan. 1:12 (6-20)
 15a D&C 49:18; D&C 89:13
 16a TG Food
     b Gen. 1:29

Promised Blessings
D&C 89:18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ashall receive bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;
D&C 89:19 And shall afind bwisdom and great ctreasures of dknowledge, even hidden treasuresa;
D&C 89:20 And shall arun and not be bweary, and shall walk and not faint.
D&C 89:21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the adestroying angel shall bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay thema. Amen.

 19a shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures A precise example of a fulfillment of this promise in connection with living the 'Word or Wisdom' is found in the story of Daniel. There it reports the following: "As for these four children [speaking of Daniel and his three commanions]. God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Such ought to be our connection with heaven in our compliance to the 'Word of Wisdom'.
   Thus, so effective upon man's intelligence is the keeping of the Word of Wisdom that the Lord is able to bless man with great knowledge and wisdom based upon man's compliance to the Word of Wisdom. This is because of two main factors. First, if man cares for the body properly, then a) a man's mind is not clouded or overcome by such substance abuse and he has a clearer thinking mind about him, and b) if a man is eating the proper diet, then that tends to enhance a body's mental capacities and abilities. Second, if a man has so developed the Spirit Intelligence's mastery of the natural body and brought it into compliance with the standards of God by such 'self control', then certainly the entire 'being' of man is to be found more in 'tune' with the mind, will and Spirit of God and man in this state is prepared to receive even the mysteries of God by revelation from the Spirit of God. And so God is able to more readily bless a man with such great and even hidden treasures of knowledge and intelligence, such as understanding the Word of Wisdom as being itself a 'principle of intelligence' pertaining to the obtaining of the presence and Kingdom and Order of God.
 21a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them Hidden within this statement are some notable considerations. First the destroying angel is that angel which is called upon not only to end the physical life of man but is called upon to determine to eternal future of the entire 'Soul of Man', whether he will be allowed or has earned the right to living forever in the presence of God or not. That is in consideration of the second death, which is the 'spiritual death' of being barred from God's presence in eternities. Second, to be 'as the children of Israel' is to be so considered of the Seed of Abraham and heirs to all the promised blessings of the Father He has given to man by means of His Everlasting Covenant. Being as the 'Children of Israel' in this sense is not by natural physical birth, but by that birth in Christ whereby men become the Sons and Daughters of God and heirs of the Kingdom and a part of that Zion to which all aspire who will become inheritors of the Celestial Kingdom. 		 18a D&C 89:3
     b Prov. 3:8; Dan. 1:13 (6-20);
        TG Health
 19a D&C 84:80
     b TG Wisdom
     c TG Treasure
     c Dan. 1:17 (6-20);
        TG Knowledge;
        TG Testimony
 20a Prov. 4:12; Isa. 40:31;
        TG Strength
     b Prov. 24:10-12; D&C 84:80
 21a TG Protection, Divine
     b Ex. 12:23 (23, 29)