I begin writing this after a healthy sampling of a McDonald’s chicken sandwich slurped down with some Hi-C orange drink.  I’m fat.  I’m actually the heaviest (and perhaps unhealthiest) I’ve ever been.  In college I ate Taco Bell 3 square meals a day.  Seriously, I did…I mean c’mon 49 cent tacos?  Hello…that’s better than Ramen.  But I also worked out at least 3 times a week with weights and rode a bike everywhere out of necessity.  So the byproduct of my crap eating never showed.  I was always around 165lbs and felt great.  Now I’m…well, let’s just say NOT 165lbs…those days are a distant memory.  As I was alone this weekend (wife away visiting family in Indiana) and realizing what I was feeding my children, I felt ashamed.  It caused me to reflect on the Word of Wisdom a bit.  We’re given counsel that:

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…And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.  Doctrines and Covenants 89:18,20

And it came to pass, that I cannot run and not be weary!  In fact, I get friggin winded playing with my kids on the floor!  I could reflect over time and try to understand where this occurred, but let’s just agree that my metabolism has slowed alright?  Moving on…anyhow, I think most people external to the Church (and perhaps some members or converts) look at the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) and concentrate only on the alcohol/tobacco side of things.  The history of the Word of Wisdom is actually an interesting and funny one as well. 

The revelation was given to Joseph when he asked of God if it was okay that the men use tobacco in their meetings.  Seriously, could you imagine?  A member of the Bishopric getting up announcing the blessing of a baby only to pause and lean into the spittoon?  Aside from the fact Emma disliked it as her and the sisters repeatedly had to clean up the floors, God basically gave the divine thumbs down.  He then also provided an “oh, by the way…” with regard to a few other things…namely what is more commonly known in addition to tobacco are the “strong drinks” which we interpret to mean alcohol, among other things and the “hot drinks” which the Church has said refers to coffee and tea (hot or cold).

But examine the counsel further…

And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man.  Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Doctrines and Covenants 89:10-11

So we know that we should be eating “healthy” by consuming herbs, fresh fruits and herbs.  But who likes that? :-) — Let’s go to Costco, get some sweet rib-eye steaks and chow down…yum…

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;  And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. Doctrines and Covenants 89:12-13.

So the Prophets have told us that the Word of Wisdom not only apply to alcohol and tobacco but to a health eating style as well.  Those 4 steaks you had this week?  Not so good.  I know that people may scoff and say “hey, that’s a little extreme.”  But we also hear the echo from President Snow nearly 70 years later reminding the members about the consumption of meats sparingly.  One may be quick to point out that the “during winter” portion probably has some historic reference to the storage of raw meats and the missing refrigeration systems during those times.  Nevertheless, regardless of refrigeration in modern times, the Prophets have not said “it’s okay now, we have freezers, go ahead and gorge yourselves.”  Brigham Young’s made an assertion that the revelation given in the Word of Wisdom was a commandment from God (oddly enough only for those under the age of 90). 

So why is it that we honor the alcohol and tobacco portions so easily (for most) but yet disregard a healthy lifestyle otherwise?  Should the admonishing of refraining (note I didn’t say commandment) of caffeinated beverages be made a commandment?  It certainly would be more in-line with the Word of Wisdom teachings.  Surely it would be in the best interests of the saints?  While a study has been conducted about mortality rates with regard to members and non-members, I’ve yet to see any study regarding expanding the principals of the Word of Wisdom and looking at obesity rates.

So as I look at myself and my eating habits I see that, in fact, they are NOT in line with the teachings of our Prophets.  Why should I be so bold to assume that I’m following the commandments of the Word of Wisdom when I don’t drink/smoke, but my last 5 meals involved fried chicken, fast-food, and steak?  I ask you, your thoughts?