What should be ADDED to the WoW?

Refined sugar. White sugar and corn syrup specifically.

I’m not in favor of adding anything to the WoW. While broad, it already covers what’s good and bad for you (mostly what’s good if you actually read it). And like Curt says, I’m not in favor of adding anything by way of commandment which is the current standing of the WoW.

Just as a side note, Elder Cook warned about adding to the WoW in a recent GC address.

Nothing. Teach lessons on Sunday about healthy eating, exercise, and meditation for a healthier lifestyle.

Refined sugar. White sugar and corn syrup specifically.

We could definitely do with reducing/eliminating these. Corn syrup seems to be an American thing, few other countries use it much – maybe Canada? Either way it is a major factor in US obesity.

FWIW, I think the Church could seriously do with a redefining of what “commandments” are. They are not an arbitrary command from God, that he will reward us for keeping or punish us for disobeying. They are not meant to divide us into camps of “worthy” and “unworthy”. Virtue should be its own reward. But with our current “commandment” model, it fosters pride and shame.

Maybe I’m just saying this because I have serious doubts in JS or any modern prophet’s ability to determine what is good for you and what is not (outside of the more obvious rules of life). But I figure, commandments should lead us to self improvement and happiness, and sin should detract from that. It shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.

This I agree with. I don’t think we need more commandments or rules, and I don’t think we need to be or should be commanded in all things.

A few months ago the For the Strength of the Youth booklet came up in a family discussion with my now adult children. They each talked about how much they disliked that book and how they believe it’s not helpful for youth simply because all it is is a bunch more rules. Who wants more rules when it’s hard enough to keep the ones youth already have? I think it’s a good point.

A few months ago the For the Strength of the Youth booklet came up in a family discussion with my now adult children. They each talked about how much they disliked that book and how they believe it’s not helpful for youth simply because all it is is a bunch more rules. Who wants more rules when it’s hard enough to keep the ones youth already have?

As an aside I remember FTSOY being a tiny pamphlet that was mostly about dating and morality. A few nights ago my daughter showed me the new FTSOY and it seemed like a manual by comparison. It seems to have lots of general good advice. I have suggested to DW that we read it together with 13 yr old DD just to have a starting point for life development conversations.

I would have done (and did do) the same thing in my more orthodox days. I still don’t think it’s wrong to have those kinds of conversations with your kids – but in more general terms. I had forgotten FTSOY was recently updated, but it is still very orthodox and still has plenty of additional rules (one set of earrings, don’t shop on Sunday, don’t date until you’re 16 and then only in groups, etc.). If you believe those things are commandments (as they are presented in the booklet) and want to teach them to your family, that’s great and I hope it works out for you. The nuanced approach can also be tried (perhaps presenting stuff not as commandments but as guidelines or suggestions, especially poignant now with the home centered ideal). One other thing I noticed about the update and then we’ll get back on topic – it talks about Jesus Christ more now. It didn’t really mention Christ at all before.

is there anything you would add to the WoW?

An underline to the phrase “not by commandment or constraint”.