Sunday, March 6, 2011

Guest Post: The Lord's Law of Health


My lovely daughter, Kaylonnie, is my guest blogger today.  She is waiting for her 21st birthday in May, and more importantly, will be submitting her papers shortly to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).  More than any other prospective missionary I've ever known, Kaylonnie as put everything on the table to become a missionary.  She had huge obstacles to overcome in order to be healthy enough to serve a mission.  She has worked very hard to overcome those obstacles, and this post is a testament to her hard work.  I'm sure you'll enjoy this thoughtful post as much as I did.

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Growing up LDS (Mormon), I heard teachers say almost every Sunday that they were grateful for their opportunity to teach a lesson that Sunday because they had learned so much from their preparation and felt that the topic they were assigned to teach was exactly what they needed to carry them through the week or get them through a particular trial.  I often used to wonder if that is something that teachers just said, or if they really felt that way.  I have learned the last few months that very often, we need to teach certain gospel principles more than the students in the class need to hear them.  Heavenly Father knows us.  He knows our strengths and weaknesses.  He knows what we are committed to, and how committed we are, to all of our thoughts and endeavors.  He knows how we learn and feel the Spirit, and what lessons we still need to learn.

Recently, I mentioned to one of my best friends that the next Relief Society lesson I have to teach is "The Lord's Law of Health."  He remarked about how simple that would be and began to list the do's and don'ts of the Word of Wisdom.  As Mormons, we do follow the Word of Wisdom and abstain from alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, and illegal substances.  We are also counseled to eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and to eat meat sparingly.  But, the Lord's law of health is so much more than a list of "forbidden fruits."  We have been given the Word of Wisdom and other good health guidelines to help protect one of the most precious gifts Heavenly Father has given us, our bodies.

Our bodies are literally the temples that house our spirits.  The Lord's law of health encourages our minds and bodies.  For the first two decades of my life, I did not truly live the Lord's law of health. I can honestly say that I had never had any desire to partake of coffee, alcohol, drugs, or anything of the sort.  But, by not exercising self control, overindulging, and completely ignoring my physical health, I was damaging my temple.

The Word of Wisdom was given for the weakest of Saints, and I am definitely one of them.  I now know that the Lord's law of health is more than a list of do's and don'ts.  It is a way of life that shows our commitment to the Lord.  Today, I commit to continue to protect, honor, and respect my body as a token of my affection for myself, my family, and my Heavenly Father.  I know that as we live the law of health, we are blessed with strong bodies, alert minds, and joyous lives.

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89

1.  A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

2.  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—

3.  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.

4.  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—

5.  That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

6.  And, behold, this should be wine, yea  pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

7.  And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

8.  And again, tobacco is not for the body, 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.

9.  And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

10.  And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11.  Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

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.

14.  All grain 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;

15.  And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

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.

18.  And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

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

20.  And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21.  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. Amen.  

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