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I’m teaching gospel doctrine next Sunday and the topic is the WoW. I really don’t want it to just be a discussion of what not to eat or drink as it usually seems to be. I haven’t done much studying yet, but I thought some of you might have some insights or references that would be useful. Please please please impart of your knowledge! 🙂 I teach it by focusing on two things: 1) The first few verses about “why” – that it was given in warning of addiction peddling in the future. I would mention lots of other things that now are addictive and ought to receive the same scrutiny – and let them come up with a list, since that would make it personal for them
and allow you to distinguish for them addictions from occasional actions. 2) The “what” – and I would talk about how dietary and health codes have changed over time, from the ancient Hebrew / Jewish code to what Jesus followed (differently than John, the Baptist, for example) to what we had with D&C 89 when it was counsel to what we have now (when addiction peddlers are running rampant).
MayB… Some thoughts:
– WoW is one of those things where we have to be very careful about judging others. I’ve never had a cigarette. Quite honestly, I don’t want to. It doesn’t appeal to me in any way. So, for me, it’s easy to check the box and then to look down my nose at people who do smoke… but the fact is that for many, it is not so simple. Many of our converts have had a lifetime building up additions and habits. So, the rather than looking at others and wondering if they keep this law, we only need worry about ourselves. I’d rather sit next to someone who has an occasional beer than someone who has an occasional affair. I illustrated this one time, years ago, by passing around a bag of salt & vinegar potato chips at the beginning of class and told people to take some if they wanted. It was pretty interesting, about 30% couldn’t resist, the rest wouldn’t touch them, because they hated the flavor… the point was that just because you have no interest in cigs, doesn’t mean that it’s the same for someone else, so don’t worry about them, and don’t pat yourself on your back for not doing something you would hate anyway.
– There’s a great passage in Romans about accepting others with different dietary beliefs. I would use this as a springboard for class discussion. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to follow Paul in the KJV, but if you read the NRSV, it’s much easier, and I would use that version without any hesitation, just by saying that it is ‘for clarity’. Anyway, I’d use this as a way to get thoughtful responses from people… let it go wherever they take it, but I would come back to verse 17, and end with the idea that the WoW is not the point of the Gospel, but rather, a way that we individually can take upon ourselves a sacrifice dedicating ourselves to God. Again, I’m only interested in myself, not others, but by thinking in this way, I feel like I can make the WoW something to build up the spirit in me. My point in doing all this discussion would be to internalize the WoW to a spiritual law within us, rather than an external dietary law. In order not to offend, I might suggest taking one item from the WoW and try living it consciously, specifically as a symbol of devotion to God. That way, I’m not inadvertently implying that anything less than full observance is not following God.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014&version=NRSV – I’ve said this many times on these forums, but will repeat here in this context. But when I was younger I used to say “I can’t drink”. I learned to say “I don’t drink”… taking ownership. This is my law for me. It works better for me to think of it that way. It’s not a “thou shalt not” commandment… it’s a way for me to live my devotion through my own commitment.
I’ve a question. Where, anywhere, is there a covenant to keep the WoW?
Or tithing for that matter?
We covenant at baptism to keep the commandments. But WoW is not a commandment:
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. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 89)
Secondly, given this is given only given to the saints, Uncle Bob, a non-Mormon is not committing sin when he has his wine at dinner/beer at the weekend.
If Uncle Bob gets drunk and hits his wife/sleeps with a colleague/drives his car then he has sinned against another. But the drink in and of itself not a problem.
I personally don’t consider breaking the ‘dont’s’ in the WoW to be a sin. I consider them to be things that have the potential to lead to sin. Sin being defined either as things that hurt others, limit our emotional independence/personal development or damage our relationship/proximity to God.
I was sat in a Tex BBQ with the Bishop after Aaronic p’hood conference recently with some other guys from church. He ordered the killer (or some other name). Half a chicken, a full rack of ribs and a steak plus a pulled pork sandwich ‘to go.’
I dearly wanted to quote this, but knew it was pointless and quite judgemental:
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. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 89)
Instead I recognised that he is a cafeteria Mormon like the rest of us who happily ignores ‘use meat sparingly’ and loads his plate but skips the bar. If I do the opposite is that ok? I doubt he would see it that way.
I think Rock Waterman gives excellent perspective: This one is for Cwald
http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2009/ … -beer.htmlA lesson that evaluated worthiness as measured by the amount of meat consumed, late bedtimes and sleeping in would be a highly entertaining lesson in my mind. Of course leaders rarely go for the most entertaining execution to their assignments though. 
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
We tend to focus on the “don’ts” of the WOW. There are a lot of “dos” in there to talk about. I like the part about eating fruit in season. I will reach for a can of pears during the summer and have to remind myself to each a fresh pear instead. The canned pears taste so good because they are canned in sugar water – yum – but fresh, in season fruit is so much better for you. I think it’s interesting to talk about how the word of wisdom practices have changed since the beginnings of the church. There were breweries up and down the Wasatch front, etc. Only because we tend to focus on the very existence of these substances as an evil. They aren’t, they’re just things. (Potentially unhealthy, addictive and damaging, but just things.) I like the scripture in Matthew (and Mark?) about a man
notbeing defiled by what goes intohim, but by what comes outof him, out of his heart. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and insights. I read through the manual today and found that pretty much everything in there is stuff I don’t really want to focus on. One section even suggests teaching that” obeying the word of wisdom would solve the world’s economic problems.” The logic is that if all the industries producing harmful substances like alcohol or tobacco didn’t exist, then healthcare costs would come down and those resources could be used for “beneficial purposes.” Interesting thought, but not really realistic on a global level, I think. I love lots of the information that you’ve all contributed here. I’ve got some great things to read and I’m confident I’ll be able to piece together a lesson that might actually inspire some thought and consideration rather than everyone just sitting there hearing the same thing they’ve heard all their lives. I’m thinking of trying to bring the final discussion to how when we care for ourselves, physically and spiritually, we’re more able and prepared to serve others and be examples of Christ.
Once again, so glad I’ve found this site or I probably would have just pulled my hair out when I read the simplistic and sometimes way off things in the manual.
🙄 I know you probably already gave this lesson. I just wanted to mention how great it is you are teaching this class. For every person who might disagree with your “view”, there are probably 10 or more who you have given some “food for thought” through the week and several who think that way already and don’t share. I don’t comment on here very often. I feel a bit in awe of how everyone is able to articulate their thoughts into such great discussion. I read so much about helping change minds, how wonderful that you are teaching gospel doctrine. What better way to present some of these thoughts in a positive way. I hope your lesson went well.
I serve in Primary and try hard to do my part presenting things in a way that would be how Jesus would do. He loves everyone. You have much tougher lessons than primary, especially this year. I just wanted to say thank you!
May, if you read this in time, there is an excellent historical overview of Section 89 and the Word of Wisdom on BCC right now: Thanks Ray. That article will be a great resource! GodisLove wrote:I know you probably already gave this lesson. I just wanted to mention how great it is you are teaching this class. For every person who might disagree with your “view”, there are probably 10 or more who you have given some “food for thought” through the week and several who think that way already and don’t share.
I don’t comment on here very often. I feel a bit in awe of how everyone is able to articulate their thoughts into such great discussion. I read so much about helping change minds, how wonderful that you are teaching gospel doctrine. What better way to present some of these thoughts in a positive way. I hope your lesson went well.
I serve in Primary and try hard to do my part presenting things in a way that would be how Jesus would do. He loves everyone. You have much tougher lessons than primary, especially this year. I just wanted to say thank you!
I just read this comment. Sorry that I missed it before. When I first started having my little faith transition or whatever you’d like to call it, I had just started teaching this class and I seriously considered asking to be released. But I’m so glad that I’ve stayed.
GodisLove, my lessons may be “tougher”, but yours are equally tough and so important.
🙂
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