Mormons call non - Mormons "Gentiles"... and in the interest of promoting cultural competency among all you "Gentiles," here is a post on the Word of Wisdom....
The Word of Wisdom (WoW) in Mormon Fundamentalism & the LDS Church –
Doctrines and Covenants, Section 89 – A “Revelation” given through Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio
February 27, 1833
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—
Members of the LDS church as well as Mormon Fundamentalists hold the following documents to be inspired scriptures: The New and Old Testaments, the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrines and Covenants.
The “Doctrines and Covenants” contains 1) the commandment to engage in polygamy (Section 132) in order to receive rewards in the afterlife, 2) a threat of destruction if a married woman refuses to permit her husband to take other wives, (again, Section 132), and 3) the Word of Wisdom appears in Section 89 – it is an admonition to refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and hot or strong drinks, such as coffee and tea.
Members of the mainstream LDS church adhere strictly to the Word of Wisdom. They refrain from consuming alcohol, smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco, and they refrain from drinking coffee and tea as these are “hot or strong drinks.” Consumption of hot chocolate, herbal teas, and cola drinks is considered acceptable by most observant LDS church members. Some LDS church members refrain from drinking colas and caffeinated energy drinks because they think that the caffeine content in these beverages would qualify for designating them as “strong drinks.”
The LDS church views the Word of Wisdom (WoW) as a commandment which must be adhered to in order to obtain a “temple recommend” from the leader of their local church. A temple recommend is a letter which authorizes a Mormon to enter a temple to participate in the Endowment Ceremony.
Most (but not all) Mormon Fundamentalists do not view the WoW as a commandment, it is viewed instead as a recommendation, as the text in Section 89, verse 2 states “…not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the Word of Wisdom.” Therefore, most fundamentalist Mormons feel free to drink alcohol, smoke, and consume coffee, tea and cola.
Much is made of Robyn Sullivan Brown’s divorce decree wherein her ex - husband required that she refrain from drinking alcohol in front of their children. This should not be interpreted to mean that Robyn is an alcoholic. In all likelihood Robyn does not view the WoW as a commandment because she is a Mormon fundamentalist, but her ex - husband may very well view the WoW as mandatory or at least highly recommended as a health practice.
Written by "Pretty in Pink" - Another wonderful written piece, THANK YOU so much for helping with these Posts!!!!
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