Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:2-3
"To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints."

I pondered and began to research when the word of wisdom became a commandment. The one overwhelming thought I kept having was the history and timing didn't matter. What matters the most is the saints living it today. It is today that we have highly processed food, and meat full of antibiotics and chemicals. We have man telling us grains and carbs are not good and push us to eat things the word of wisdom says to moderate or be sparing. It is today we face evil designs of conspiring men. The desire to make us addicted or become habit-forming, tempting us day and night with incessant advertisements. The word of wisdom is even more critical for the saints in this latter part of the last days. It was given for my day. It is to help the saints that are weak to heal and be made strong.

The word of wisdom is a principle with a promise. It's important to understand what a principle is.
1. fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
2. a general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.

When we take the word of wisdom as a guide we don't need everything spelled out that is not good for us. We should know based on the principled given us. If you can become addicted to alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, then wouldn't other items that cause addiction also be included? We don't need to be commanded in all things. As Joseph Smith said, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.”

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."
(Doctrine and Covenants 58:26)

"Elder John A. Widtsoe wrote: “The reward for keeping the Word of Wisdom is four-fold. 1. Self-control is developed. That is implied in verse 3 of the revelation which states that the Word of Wisdom is ‘adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints.’ 2. Strength of body, including resistance to contagion, is a result of wise living. 3. Clearness of mind is the gift of those whose bodies are in a healthy condition. 4. Spiritual power comes to all who conquer their appetites, live normally and look upward to God.” (Program of the Church, pp. 39–40.)
(Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Section 89, The Word of Wisdom)

Day 3678

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 8:12

Today's Favorite Verse: Hosea 8:12

"I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing."

This reminded me of going to the temple the first time. How strange I thought it was. It took many years before I did not find it such and came to love it. I pondered on how many of God's laws seem strange. Surely, the law of chastity is considered foreign and strange to many. The word of wisdom and tithing would seem oppressive to some. All of these things I have come to embrace for the blessing that they are.

Day 3029

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 13:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Proverbs 13:10

"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."

I understand the part of contention comes from pride. What I pondered on was what it meant by "with the well advised is wisdom". What I could finally picture is the benefit of being the observer of contention, but not the participant in it. We've had some really good discussions in our home over contention happening in the world. There is something to be said for being on the outside looking in. You see things you would never have seen from inside. It does make you wiser. We've often wondered how parties cannot see where they agree, the root of the disagreement, how they are being manipulated, or what should be done in the matter. That must be the guidance of the spirit that instructs when you try to learn from other's mistakes and not a party to them.

Day 2800

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:19

"And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;"

I have read and studied the word of wisdom many times. I challenged myself to ponder on something I had never pondered on before in this chapter. This time I looked at gaining wisdom. It also referenced the story of Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abed-nego). Where Daniel asked Melzar, the prince of the eunuchs to give them pulse to eat for ten days, to prove who faired better them or the children that ate of the king's meat.

"So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."

(Daniel 1:14,16-17, 20)

Now I reasoned, that if the word of wisdom is to show "forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days" that having the blessing of wisdom, knowledge (hidden treasures), skill in learning, visions and dreams, and understanding are vital if not even more so than the health of the body at this time. Of course I do want both. We are warned in the very beginning that the word of wisdom exists due to evil and conspiring men. I had always thought of these evils as in processed foods harming the body but I hadn't thought of them really dimming our ability to receive gifts of the spirit. Then that light bulb went off that it's called the word of Wisdom, with an emphasis on the wisdom. Maybe that is the key element in this whole chapter. I had only focused on the destroying angel passing me by because I wasn't inviting death with a poor diet. Now I really see this as a key motivation for this being given to the saints in the last days. We need wisdom and the gifts of the spirit to survive the evil designs of conspiring men.

What I took away from pondering this was a personal challenge to only eat wholesome foods for ten days and see how I fair. Of course, I want to do this all my life but ten days seem like where I need to start. I did laugh at myself, as Christmas treats are all around me. I will begin this challenge after the holidays. For what I eat the rest of the family eats. I think I would be hit with a rebellion on Christmas Day if I only gave them pulse. After the riches of the "kings table" a modest diet will be a very welcome change.

Day 2092

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 1:15, 17, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Daniel 1:15, 17, 20
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
And in all matter of wisdom and understand, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."

When Nebuchadnezzar wanted some of the children of Israel taken to his palace he asked that they be well favoured (good in appearance), and skilled in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. After three years of feeding them a provision of meat and wine he was going to have them stand before him.

I pondered on how the pulse and water that David, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah requested were instrumental in making them well favoured in appearance and healthy. I'm sure it helped their intellect too. Their having ten times more wisdom and understanding than the king's magicians and astrologers was because God gave it to them. This is the first time I considered that they were not made wiser because of the pulse, it was because of their obedience to God's laws. They were able to have the spirit with them and that is what enlightened them. A man could eat all the pulse he wants, or practice the Word of Wisdom, and he might look healthy, but this type of wisdom comes through the spirit.

Day 1426

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 4:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 4:9
"Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof."

Ezekiel bread!  It took me a minute to realize I was reading Ezekiel 4 and I see that on the Ezekiel bread wrapper. It makes me want to try some for I never have. So now I am actually off to read up on this Ezekiel bread. It has intrigued me totally. Ezekiel is told to take all these grains and put them into one vessel, enough to last 390 days. This is enough to sustain life, I sure hope it tasted good. I wonder if there are any other recipes in the scriptures where God has told man what to store and eat? The closest I can come to is the Word of Wisdom, all of these ingredients would fit into it, but yet not a recipe. 

Day 1381

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 78:18, 24-25

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 78:18, 24-25
"And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full."

I have been on a private personal journey that focuses on the Word of Wisdom. The health and care of the body in the Lord's way for these  latter-days. I am healing and am taking things slowly. I am acting as I am guided by the spirit and not the wisdom of man. One day I desired a change and the thought came that I'm just like the children of Israel that cried because all they had to eat was manna. With that thought I went to find this story in the bible. I went on a marvelous scripture journey in one of those wonderful middle of the night teaching moments. What I learned and understood was beyond measure. I have now been experimenting with my "manna" and I cannot tell you how improved my energy level has become. My family has the same results. Something so simply that I have overlooked so many, many times. Funny how we don't see things until we are ready.

Day 1131

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 11:46-47

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 11:46-47

"This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."

As I read the description of the animals that could be eaten and those that could not, I tried to understand it for my day. I don't live the law of Moses, since Christ fulfilled it. I do live the Word of Wisdom as found in Doctrine & Covenants section 89. I pondered on how God knows the day we live in and how he has laws that fit our day. I wondered how many Israelites were spared sickness and death in their day for living and practicing what was taught in this chapter? I pondered on the Word of Wisdom for my day and how it protects me too.

Then I though of the story of Peter and Cornelius as found in Acts 10. Cornelius was an uncircumcised gentile, and yet a devout man that feared God, In a vision an angel came to him and told him to call for Simon Peter and where he was staying. Cornelius sent servants to get Peter and while they were coming Peter fell into a trance and saw a vessel descend like a sheet with the four corners gathered together let down to earth. Inside were all manner of animals that were unclean. Peter was told to kill and eat them. Each time he said "Not so Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." The voice told him "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This vision repeated 3 times to Peter. While pondering on what the vision meant Cornelius' men were arriving to get Peter. The Spirit told Peter that three men seek him. He was to arise, go down with them and doubt nothing, for he had sent them. On meeting Cornelius Peter's eyes were opened and then he understood the need to bring the gospel to the gentiles. The time was ready and they were clean. 

So just like foods I eat and don't eat. There was a time for when the gospel was preached and to whom. First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. I cannot help but think of how Peter would not have understood this message if he had not lived the law of Moses first. With Christ fulfillment of the law of Moses, it now opened the door for the gospel to be preached to the four corners of the earth. There is a time and a purpose for the laws God has me live. Through a living prophet I can know His will for my day.

Day 676

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 13

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:3, 6-7, 13

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

As I read this I pondered on the exactness of what the Israelites were told to do. Every step of preparation was covered. What day to take the lamb, when to kill it, how to do it, how to mark the door posts with the blood. When to be in their homes, who to eat with, what to wear, how to prepare their food, what to do with the left overs. Everything is there to be followed with exactness. This was to physically preserve their lives. The angel of death would recognize them and pass them by. 

At first looking at this I couldn't help but think how nutty that would have sounded to anyone that didn't believe Moses was a prophet. How can blood across my door post keep me alive? That does sound rather absurd. All the exact things needing to be done sound very controlling and a waste of time. 

Then I thought of my home and all I have been counseled and commanded to do by the prophets. Family and personal scripture reading and prayer, family home evening, keeping the Sabbath day holy. Standing in holy places and making my home one such place. I thought about the signs and tokens I have, the shield and protection over me. They are here when I am here. I thought about the blessings of the word of wisdom and the promise to have the destroying angel pass me by. 

To the outside world they may all sound incredibly foolish. I would be honored to be found such a fool, if a destroying angel ever has to pass me by. Right now the spiritual blessings living such a life is the greatest gift I have been given. If I remain faithful spiritual death will pass me by. Doing as the prophet counsels is just as important now as it was in the time of Moses. 

Day 637

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 89:2 & 4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 89:2 & 4

"To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days -

Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation -"

This chapter on the Word of Wisdom has been of particular importance to me of late. I have had a weight issue all my life. I have prayed with all my heart that the Lord would bless me, so the foods that are bad for me wouldn't taste good. It was a prayer that was never answered. I didn't realize until later I was asking for something that could never be.

In June, an overwhelming desire to go read the Word of Wisdom and study it came over me. The spirit also told me to read it, and it alone, and not read any books about the Word of Wisdom or any diets based on the Word of Wisdom. I needed the spirit to tell me what I needed to do. This would be a personal tutelage. With that and reading these two verses I realized I had to throw out everything I had ever been taught by man about eating right. The foods we have today and the evil and designs placed by conspiring men upon it, had changed what man has ever known about food. The Word of Wisdom was for these times, not the wisdom of the ages. As I read, being willing to be taught by personal revelation, the spirit told me what to do. It was a plan just for me for the condition of my body at this time. As I talked it over with my husband and son they received their own plans. As my body has been healing the foods that I have been able to eat has increased. I will only follow what the spirit tells me to do, and not anything anyone tells me in their wisdom that is needful. One of the blessings of the Word of Wisdom is personal revelation. I know what works for me may not work in combination or be the emphasis for someone else. 

How has this been working for me in the last 2 months? I have lost 40 lbs. I have energy I have not had in over 20 years. My tummy is full and there are no cravings or feeling deprived. I am off all medicines but one. My body is still healing, but I am no longer in the bondage I have been for years. I stand all amazed at the grace the Lord has given me. I know now what I was doing wrong for me, had placed me in a literal bondage. A bondage I wanted to continue just like someone does with sin. I wanted my food that was bad for me, to not taste good, so I wouldn't desire it. That is like asking God to make sin not pleasurable in its own way. The foods that have been conspired by evil and designing men will always taste good, that's what they were designed to do.

In compensation for eating as the spirit has directed, the foods I am eating taste so very good to me. I am desiring that which is good. In fact it tastes so good I often say several prayers after eating, thanking God once again for making my food taste so good to me. This is such a personal thing for me. I cannot be kept from showing to God in prayer all the gratitude that is in me for this blessing. The Word of Wisdom truly is something to be rejoiced over and with much thanksgiving. 

Day 508

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 59:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 59:7

"Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."

I had an interesting experience today and it made this verse stand out to me. I was really busy today. While I was working I would take little breaks to help my husband who is laid up in bed. Running and fetching things. Putting in a load of laundry here and there. My plate was full so I asked one of my sons if he would mop the floors for me. All day I waited to hear him start working on them. By the time 5:00 pm rolled around he left for an appointment and said when he got back he would mop the floors. I just knew that wouldn't happen. So once I was off the clock at work I jumped up and started mopping the floors and cleaning the bathrooms. Giving them a good scrubbing. All the while I was watching dinner as it cooked, and quickly doing a sink full of dishes. I worked three hours at a really hard pace. Sweat was dripping off me. 

Now here's the interesting part. At first I was upset I didn't get any help today. Then as I was working I realized I hadn't cleaned like this in years. If it wasn't for not receiving any help and having to work so hard I wouldn't have discovered how much better my health had become. It wasn't that long ago I was totally disabled and cleaning was only a dream. The recent impressions I had received on living the Word of Wisdom was healing me in an amazing way. I went from being upset with my son to realizing what a blessing I have been given. My heart was full of so much gratitude to be able to see this miracle. Yes, I was thankful for what God had done. He has given me the greatest help of all. 

Day 478