At what date did the LDS church begin teaching the Word of Wisdom? What circumstances led to the introduction of the Word of Wisdom and what publications cover that period of time in LDS church history? How did the members of that time period receive the teaching?

> 1 Kings 3:5-14 > > New American Standard Bible 1995 > > 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God > said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” > > Solomon’s Prayer > > 6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your > servant David my father, according as he walked before You in [a]truth > and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have > reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a > son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You > have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but > a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant > is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people > who are too many to be numbered or counted. **9 So give Your servant > [c]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good > and evil. For who is able to judge this [d]great people of Yours?”** > > > > God’s Answer > > **10 [e]It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked > this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and > have not asked for yourself [f]long life, nor have asked riches for > yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have > asked for yourself [g]discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I > have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and > discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, > nor shall one like you arise after you.** 13 I have also given you what > you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be > any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, > keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, > then I will prolong your days.” > > 1 Kings 11:1-13 > > New American Standard Bible 1995 > > Solomon Turns from God > > **11 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter > of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 > from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the sons of > Israel, “You shall not [a]associate with them, nor shall they > associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after > their gods.”** Solomon held fast to these in love. 3 He had seven > hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives > turned his heart away. 4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned > his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not [c]wholly > devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had > been. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians > and after [d]Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon > did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the > Lord fully, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high > place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which > is [e]east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the > sons of Ammon. 8 Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who > burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. > > > > **9 Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned > away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, > 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go > after other gods; but he did not observe what the Lord had commanded. > 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Because [f]you have done this, and > you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded > you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your > servant.** 12 Nevertheless I will not do it in your days for the sake of > your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 > However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one > tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of > Jerusalem which I have chosen.” Why was Solomon’s Godly Wisdom Not enough to prevent him from sinning by marrying “Non-Hebrew” women? To elaborate, if Solomon had so much Godly Wisdom then he should have been Wise enough to know that marrying “Non-Hebrew” women would be disastrous. And What should he probably have asked God for in addition to his request for Godly Wisdom that might have prevented him from sinning?

**Background** The modern Church uses the phrase "the Lord's law of health" to describe the [Word of Wisdom](https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng) . For example, Chapter 29 of *Gospel Principles* is called "[The Lord's Law of Health](https://www.lds.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-29-the-lords-law-of-health?lang=eng) ." However, the Word of Wisdom itself states that it was given: > In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days. ([v4](https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.4?lang=eng#p3)) Suggesting that it has more to do with avoiding addiction (or, perhaps, choosing freedom) than actual health. There are a great many valiant Church members who suffer from disability, terminal disease, and even chronic disease/pain to easily rationalize the simplicity of "obey the Word of Wisdom to be blessed with good health."1 I don't believe that the Church has ever taught that obedience to the Word of Wisdom guarantees perfect health — or even suggests that physiological tragedy (e.g., cancer, etc.) will be avoided because of said obedience. The Word of Wisdom itself simply states that the following blessings will come due to obedience ([v18-21](https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.18-21?lang=eng#p17)) : 1. shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; 2. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; 3. And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. 4. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. I believe (but do not know if it is doctrine) that (1) has the same context as [Prov. 3:7-8](https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/prov/3.7-8?lang=eng#p6) in that it's a spiritual blessing, not a physical blessing, (3) has the same context as [Isa. 40:28-31](https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/40.28-31?lang=eng#p27) in that it's a blessing of enthusiasm and productivity rather than bodily health, and (4) uses the reference from the story of Moses to describe avoiding the Lord's vengeance during judgement. (I skipped #2 because it doesn't appear to influence this question.) Thus, whenever I hear the phrase used, I wonder that it's a bit of an oversimplification. I am therefore studying the section and its history and would appreciate some help. **Question:** What is the earliest use of the phrase "the Lord's law of health" in regard to the Word of Wisdom? 1 *An example of the problem at its worst comes from my time as a Branch President when a member asked me why I hadn't excommunicated another member for violating the Word of Wisdom. She was obese and had been for many years. It was a long discussion that's summarized as, "the Word of Wisdom doesn't actually work that way."*

In the Doctrines and Covenants from which the Word of Wisdom comes (referring to abstinence from hot drinks, strong drinks/alcohol, and tobacco), it also states that meat should be used sparingly, specifically in times of winter, cold or famine. > 12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the > Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless > they are to be used sparingly; > > 13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in > times of winter, or of cold, or famine. D&C 89:12-13 Does this continue to be the practice of LDS members today or among any of the sects of Mormonism?

The Word of Wisdom prohibits members of the LDS church from drinking alcohol, but alcohol is quite common in both the Tanach (Jewish bible) and the New Testament. Why does the LDS church believe that alcohol was acceptable to those in Biblical times, but not now? In other words, what is the reason that alcohol use was a major part of religious life in biblical times, but forbidden now to LDS church members? (I am not a Christian, much less a Mormon, so I apologize if I have made any mistaken assumptions in my question)

The Latter-day Saints subscribe to a revelation dubbed the "Word of Wisdom" which outlines a code of health which Saints in good standing are expected to live. It's found in Doctrine and Covenants 89 . Generally it prohibits use of "herbs" (drugs) such as tobacco for the body, but recommends it for treating cattle. However, the LDS Church is pretty clear that drugs which are prescribed by a competent medical professional (a doctor) are allowed within the recommendations of the doctor. (This has traditionally meant things like morphine, sleeping pills, etc.) When there is sickness or disease and healing is desired, there are a few recommended courses of action, such as obtaining a blessing with faith under the hands of priesthood brethren. Just as important to Latter-day Saints, however, is seeking care using the best medical knowledge available. I've seen this question online before, but haven't found any answers that are definitive or official: **How does the Word of Wisdom or LDS doctrine in general apply to medicinal marijuana (prescribed by a doctor)? Is it prohibited entirely, are there only some permissible cases, or is it A-OK?** (Assume it is legal in the politick; Mormons believe in following the law of the land.) Again, I'm posting here because I'm sure it'll attract higher-quality answers than I've seen elsewhere which are more speculation than citing official or declarative sources.

In the LDS faith, they follow a law of health called the Word of Wisdom that teaches them to abstain from things like alcohol and tobacco and it encourages them to eat foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables. How has the Word of Wisdom changed since its introduction compared to what it is today?

Aside from celiacs and others with medical disorders which prevent them from eating certain grains, is there an official LDS church stance in relation to people who optionally choose to live a gluten free lifestyle, based on these verses in the word of wisdom: > 14 **All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, *to be the staff of life***, [...] > 16 **All grain is good for the food of man**; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground— > 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. ([D&C 89:14,16-17]( https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89.14,16-17?lang=eng#13))

> 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. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89:17) What mild barley drinks is this verse referring to? Does this mean Mormons are encouraged to drink non-alcoholic beer? What were they drinking in Joseph Smith's time that is considered good for man according to the word of wisdom?