Quote Journal: Word of Wisdom

1)"Some have even used as an alibi the fact that drugs are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. What a miserable excuse. There is likewise no mention of the hazards of diving into an empty swimming pool or of jumping from an overpass onto the freeway. But who doubts the deadly consequences of such? Common sense would dictate against such behavior. Regardless of the Word of Wisdom, there is a divinely given reason for avoiding these illegal substances.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, A Plague on the World, 1990 July Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


2)"The Word of Wisdom put restrictions on members of the Church. To this day those regulations apply to every member and to everyone who seeks to join the Church. They are so compelling that no one is to be baptized into the Church without first agreeing to live by them. No one will be called to teach or to lead unless they accept them. When you want to go to the temple, you will be asked if you keep the Word of Wisdom. If you do not, you cannot go to the house of the Lord until you are fully worthy.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises, 1996 May Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


3)"The Word of Wisdom contains some very positive aspects. It encourages us to use grains, particularly wheat, and to use fruits and vegetables and the sparing use of meat. It is also noted for its prohibition—absolute prohibition—against the use of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. Added to this has been the counsel of the Church leaders to abstain from the use of such drugs as marijuana, cocaine, etc., and the abusive use of prescription drugs.” (L. Tom Perry, Run and Not Be Weary, 1996 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


4)"Today the curse of drink and drugs is becoming a national nightmare. It is the cause of most of our crime, accidents, loss of employment, and the breakup of our homes. You great young men of the Aaronic Priesthood will be required to pay the social costs for this dreaded disease as you move forward into your adult lives. Surely something must be done to stop this destructive force. I challenge you to stand up to your peers as an example of righteous living. I know the Lord will fulfill his promise to you by blessing you with health, with knowledge, with wisdom that will set you apart from the rest of the world. Your righteous example will also bless the lives of many, many others.” (L. Tom Perry, Run and Not Be Weary, 1996 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


5)"From an initial experiment thought to be trivial, a vicious cycle may follow. From trial comes a habit. From habit comes dependence. From dependence comes addiction. Its grasp is so gradual. Enslaving shackles of habit are too small to be sensed until they are too strong to be broken. Indeed, drugs are the modern “mess of pottage” for which souls are sold. No families are free from risk.” (Russell M. Nelson, Addiction or Freedom, 1988 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


6)"Obeying the Word of Wisdom gave our members, especially our youth, a preventive inoculation against drug use and the resulting health problems and moral hazards. Unfortunately, there appears to be a resurgence of drug use in our own day. Living the Word of Wisdom today will free you from some of the most serious dangers you can face in this life.” (Quentin L. Cook, Give Heed unto the Prophets’ Words, 2008 April Conference, http://www.lds.org)


7)"Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions, the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body. That is why the Word of Wisdom is so important. The habit-forming substances prohibited by that revelation—tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco—interfere with the delicate feelings of spiritual communication, just as other addictive drugs will do. Do not ignore the Word of Wisdom, for that may cost you the “great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” promised to those who keep it. And good health is an added blessing.”(Boyd K. Packer, Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise, 1994 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


8)"Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom and you will receive the promised blessings. ‘All saints,’ the revelation promises, ‘who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments,’ are promised that they ‘shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones’ and “shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18, 20). The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises, 1996 April Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


9)"We will be careful about which counsel we heed. Many so-called experts give advice for the body—without thought for the spirit. Anyone who accepts direction contrary to the Word of Wisdom, for example, forsakes a law revealed to bring both physical and spiritual blessings.  Some recommendations regarding use of our reproductive organs are based solely—and inadequately—upon physical considerations. Beware of such one-sided views! Paul taught that ‘if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.’” (Russell M. Nelson, We Are Children of God, 1998 October Ensign, http://www.lds.org)


10)"Is observance of the Word of Wisdom necessary? The Brethren have long felt that it certainly must be. Observance of the Word of Wisdom is concerned with the care of one’s body, which, the Lord has assured, is of itself a temple, a tabernacle of the spirit. He has said, ‘Yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple’ (D&C 93:35).” (Gordon B. Hinckley, The Body Is Sacred, 2006 November Ensign, http://www.lds.org)