Davis/Mormon Insights Article #3/page 1

Hidden Treasures: Trusting the Lords Health Code

Ever have doubts about the Word of Wisdom? The original document of this 1833 revelation
gives another reason to trust its divinity.
Stories of famous stars using drugs show up on Buzzfeed and HuffPost. Peer pressure to drink
and smoke blows up your newsfeed. People taunt, Why cant you drink coffee?
Occasionally, mocking may tempt us to apologize for the Lords command in the Word of
Wisdom [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng] not to partake of drugs,
alcohol, or hot drinks. How can we gain confidence that this direction is from God?
Until recently, some ambiguity existed about the revelations origin. Before the publication of the
2013 edition of the LDS scriptures [http://josephsmithpapers.org/site/explanations-for-thedoctrine-and-covenants-section-headings], the 1985 intro to the revelation stated that the first
three verses of todays Doctrine and Covenants Section 89which affirm it as the will of the
Lordwere written by Joseph Smith, allowing for the possibility that the Churchs health code
originated with the Prophet rather than with God.
Now, The Joseph Smith Papers Project [http://mormoninsights.byu.edu/questions-answersfound-joseph-smith-papers/] points out that the original 1833 document
[http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/revelation-book-1?p=155] gave credit directly to
God, treating all verses as divine revelation. The 2013 intro to Section 89
[http://josephsmithpapers.org/site/explanations-for-the-doctrine-and-covenants-section-headings]
restores this original context to the revelation, omitting the statement about Josephs authorship.
This correction reaffirms that the Word of Wisdom is a commandment, not just a suggestion.
Opposition to the Word of Wisdomwhether from those who dont share our beliefs or from
people within the Churchcan be unsettling. But we can trust in the Lord as we live the Word of
Wisdom by exercising and replacing harmful substances with nutritious food. Wisdom and great
treasures of knowledge (Doctrine & Covenants 89:21) [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dctestament/dc/89.21?lang=eng#20] are promised to those who keep this law despite opposition.
What hidden treasures has the Lord given you?
Read more
An article by Jed Woodworth [https://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-word-ofwisdom?lang=eng] helps us better understand the historical 1830s context surrounding
substances prohibited by the Word of Wisdom:

TOBACCO: Some early Saints at the School of the Prophets puffed tobacco pipes while
discussing spiritual cleanlinessa contradiction that led Joseph to seek guidance from
the Lord and that resulted in the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom.
ALCOHOL: Americans drank about seven gallons of alcohol a year per personthree
times todays consumption rate!
COFFEE: The use of coffee exploded when the American Revolution made the British
taste for tea unpopular.

Davis/Mormon Insights Article #3/page 1

See the original transcript of the original 1833 document: Revelation, 27 February 1833
[D&C 89]. [http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/revelation-book-1?p=155]
Source: The Joseph Smith Papers [http://josephsmithpapers.org/]
Leah Davis, Mormon Insights
Find more insights
Read Jed Woodworths article on the Word of Wisdom.
[https://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-word-of-wisdom?lang=eng]
Is using caffeine against the Word of Wisdom? See how mormon.org
[http://www.mormon.org/faq/law-of-health] answers this question. And discover what a Utah
newspaper [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/lds-church-clarifies-stance-oncaffeine/article_e4e357d0-ba5d-5a6c-8e78-dd1e791a34b2.html] wrote.
How does this modern revelation relate to the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings
on health? Read What is the Blueprint of Christs Church?
[https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/what-is-the-blueprint-of-christschurch?lang=eng] by Elder Tad R. Callister.
Watch [https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-10-a-brand-new-year-physical-health?
lang=eng] youth and young adults explain why they choose to take care of their bodies.