Doctrine and Covenants 89

In the winter of 1833, about 20 priesthood holders met in the upper room of Newel K. Whitney’s store in Kirtland, Ohio, to attend the School of the Prophets. As was common in those days, many of these men smoked and chewed tobacco during the meetings. Brigham Young recalled that “often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 263). These circumstances and the complaints of Emma Smith, who had to clean tobacco spit from the floor, prompted Joseph Smith to question the use of such substances. Joseph Smith prayed for direction and received the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 89.

Doctrine and Covenants 89:1–3

President Joseph F. Smith:

“If [the Word of Wisdom] had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man, addicted to the use of these noxious things, under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome, before He brought them under the law” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1913, 14).

Doctrine and Covenants 89:3

President Boyd K. Packer:

“Because of childhood polio, I was not able to participate in sports and was left with a feeling of inferiority when compared to my friends.

“My patriarchal blessing counseled: ‘Guard and protect [your body]—take nothing into it that shall harm the organs thereof because it is sacred. It is the instrument of your mind and the foundation of your character’ (patriarchal blessing of Boyd K. Packer, 15 Jan. 1944, 1).

“I found in the Word of Wisdom a principle with a promise. The principle: Care for your body; avoid habit-forming stimulants, tea, coffee, tobacco, liquor, and drugs (see D&C 89:3–9). Such addictive things do little more than relieve a craving which they caused in the first place.

“The promise: Those who obey will receive better health (see D&C 89:18) and ‘great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures’ (D&C 89:19). …

“Even the severe tests of health or a handicapped or disabled body can refine a soul for the glorious day of restoration and healing which surely will come.

“Your body really is the instrument of your mind and the foundation of your character” (“Ye Are the Temple of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 72).

Doctrine and Covenants 89:4

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“The Lord foresaw the situation of today when motives for money would cause men to conspire to entice others to take noxious substances into their bodies. Advertisements which promote beer, wine, liquors, coffee, tobacco, and other harmful substances are examples of what the Lord foresaw. But the most pernicious example of an evil conspiracy in our time is those who induce young people into the use of drugs.

“My young brothers and sisters, in all love, we give you warning that Satan and his emissaries will strive to entice you to use harmful substances, because they well know if you partake, your spiritual powers will be inhibited and you will be in their evil power. Stay away from those places or people which would influence you to break the commandments of God. Keep the commandments of God and you will have the wisdom to know and discern that which is evil” (“A Principle with a Promise,” Ensign,May 1983, 54–55).

Doctrine and Covenants 89:5–9

Doctrine and Covenants 89 does not mention every drink, food, or substance that is forbidden. Sometimes questions arise about items not mentioned in the revelation or why tea and coffee are prohibited even though they are not mentioned. The following statement helps explain this:

“There has been no official interpretation of [the] Word of Wisdom except that which was given by the Brethren in the very early days of the Church when it was declared that ‘hot drinks’ meant tea and coffee.

“With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided” (Priesthood Bulletin, Feb. 1972 [volume 8, number 1], 3–4; see also “Staying Healthy: Welfare Services Suggests How,” Ensign, Jan. 1981, 15–16).

President Boyd K. Packer:

“Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. It’s well known that tea, coffee, liquor, and tobacco are against it. It has not been spelled out in more detail. Rather, we teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation.

“Everything harmful is not specifically listed; arsenic, for instance—certainly bad, but not habit-forming! He who must be commanded in all things, the Lord said, ‘is a slothful and not a wise servant’ (D&C 58:26).

“In some cultures, native drinks are claimed to be harmless because they are not specifically mentioned in the revelation. Yet they draw members, particularly men, away from their families to parties which certainly offend the principle. Promises made in the revelation will be denied to the careless or the reckless.

“Obedience to counsel will keep you on the safe side of life” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 17–18).

Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–19

President Boyd K. Packer:

“I have come to know … that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. …

“If someone ‘under the influence’ can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings?

“As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically” (“Prayers and Answers,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).

Doctrine and Covenants 89:21

President Russell M. Nelson:

“There is special significance in the last verse of section 89, which states, ‘The destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them’ (v. 21). This reference to the Passover emphasizes the precedence of spiritual faith. When Abraham indicated his willingness to offer Isaac in sacrifice, there was no suggestion that obedience would necessarily bring physical benefit. When Joshua led the Israelites across the River Jordan swollen at flood time, confirmation of physical reward was not a prerequisite for faithful followers. We obey the Word of Wisdom because it represents the will of the Lord for our spiritual preparation to be his worthy sons and daughters. Achieving spiritual supremacy over the appetites of the flesh is part of our testing process” (“Twenty Questions” [address to CES religious educators, Sept. 13, 1985], LDS.org).

President Boyd K. Packer:

“It is not from mortal death that we shall be spared in such a passover if we walk in obedience to these commandments, for each of us in time shall die. But there is spiritual death which you need not suffer. If you are obedient, that spiritual death will pass over you, for ‘Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,’ the revelation teaches (1 Cor. 5:7)” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 19).

Doctrine and Covenants 90:24

The Lord admonished the Saints to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good” (D&C 90:24). President Harold B. Lee explained that this counsel would have been particularly meaningful for early Church leaders who had “little or no experience in Church administration” and who faced difficult challenges at the time this revelation was given (Stand Ye in Holy Places: Selected Sermons and Writings of President Harold B. Lee [1974], 197). He further explained what it means to “search diligently”:

“Diligence means to be industrious, the opposite of being lazy or careless or indifferent. In other words, they must search to know the doctrines of the Church, and they must search to know the instructions that had been given concerning Church procedures” (Stand Ye In Holy Places, 198).

Doctrine and Covenants 90:25–27

In Doctrine and Covenants 90:25–27, “the Lord warns His servants, particularly the Prophet’s father, to let their families be small in order that the substance provided for them by the Church be not used up by the unworthy (vs. 25), who were prone to take advantage of a situation. When the Lord advises them to let their families be small, He does not mean their immediate children; the visitors and hangers-on who had a tendency to take advantage of the brethren’s open houses and open hearts are the ones meant. The brethren would not be hindered in accomplishing the Lord’s work if they watched this matter” (Sidney B. Sperry, Doctrine and Covenants Compendium[1960], 462; see also Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 2nd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2001], 214).

Doctrine and Covenants 90:28–31

Vienna Jaques is an example of the faithfulness of many early Latter-day Saints. She was born June 10, 1787. After she met the missionaries in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, she traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. She stayed there six weeks and was baptized. Upon returning to Boston, Vienna helped bring several members of her family into the Church. She then “settled up her business, and went back to Kirtland to unite her interests forever with the Church” (“Home Affairs,” Woman’s Exponent, July 1, 1878, 21). In 1833 Vienna consecrated all her possessions, including $1,400, to the Church during a time when the money was desperately needed. She then traveled to Missouri to receive her inheritance in Zion. However, soon after she arrived she suffered persecution with the Saints. After being driven from her home in Missouri, she attended to the sick in Zion’s Camp. Heber C. Kimball wrote, “I received great kindness … from Sister Vienna Jaques, who administered to my wants and also to my brethren—may the Lord reward [her] for [her] kindness” (“Extracts from H. C. Kimball’s Journal,” Times and Seasons, Mar. 15, 1845, 839–40).

While in Missouri, Vienna married Daniel Shearer. She traveled west to Utah in 1847 and, at the age of 60, drove her own wagon across the plains. She settled in Salt Lake City and for the rest of her life worked hard to support herself and diligently study the scriptures. Vienna died on February 7, 1884, at the age of 96. Her obituary stated, “She was true to her covenants and esteemed the restoration of the Gospel as a priceless treasure” (“In Memoriam,” Woman’s Exponent,Mar. 1, 1884, 152). (See also Susan Easton Black, “Happiness in Womanhood,” Ensign,Mar. 2002, 12–14.)

Doctrine and Covenants 91:4–6

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

“Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true.

“Consequently, never in the history of the world has it been more important to learn how to correctly discern between truth and error. …

“The Holy Ghost is a revelator. He is the Comforter, who teaches us ‘the truth of all things; [who] knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment’ [Moses 6:61]. …

“The Witness of truth from the Holy Ghost is available to all, everywhere, all around the globe. All who seek to know the truth, who study it out in their minds [see D&C 9:8], and who ‘ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, [will know] the truth … by the power of the Holy Ghost’ [Moroni 10:4].” (“What Is Truth?” [Church Educational System devotional address, Jan. 13, 2013], 3, 6; speeches.byu.edu).