Laws Irrevocably Decreed

One of my favorite scriptures is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 130:17-18:

20There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

21And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

I believe that understanding this principle and applying it unlocks some of the mysteries of heaven. I’ve been thinking about these verses as they apply to the blessings of health and politics. I’m just going to talk about health right now, and how this can relate to our preparedness efforts.

Years ago, I was visiting teaching a family that seemed to always be having health problems. I asked them if they had looked at diet as a possibility to help them with their concerns. The answer was, “Yeah, we tried that,” with the unspoken words, “but it didn’t help,” left hanging in the air. I have since thought back on the implications of that conversation. What she was telling me was that they had “tried” to eat healthy, but when that didn’t work, they’d gone back to doing what they always did, whatever that was.

Good eating isn’t something we “try” when we find our health failing, and then hope it will make us feel better overnight, like the results we expect from an anti-biotic, which can have its own problems. Going back to the above-mentioned scripture, if we expect any blessing from God (in this case, good health), we must be obedient to the laws of good health. What are those laws?

Let’s take a look at the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, which we call The Word of Wisdom, and see what principles we can find there [all emphases are mine, with my comments inserted in bold and bracketed]:

1A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

2To 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— [It has been given to us to save us temporally in these days.]

3Given 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. [It has been adapted so that even the weakest among us can follow it.]

4Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— [It was given because the Lord knew that there would be evil influences in our day which would try to get us to do things that would compromise our health.]

5That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. [Principle 1: Stay away from alcoholic beverages.]

6And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

7And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

8And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. [Principle 2: No smoking or chewing tobacco.]

9And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. [Principle 3: This has been interpreted by the brethren to refer to tea and coffee, and they have also mentioned other drinks that would contain addictive substances.]

10And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. [Principle 4: Eat an abundance of fruit and vegetables.]

12Yea, 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;

13And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. [Principle 5: Eat meat sparingly.]

14Allagrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

15And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

16All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

17Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain. [Principle 6: Eat grains.]

18And 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;

19And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

20And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. [The Promises: health, wisdom and knowledge, stamina, protection from the destroying angel.]

I think the Word of Wisdom is one of the most amazing scriptures we have. We have been told how to have the blessings of good health. Modern science now preaches the same thing. If we want these blessings, we must be obedient to the laws upon which good health is based. It’s right here. I feel this will have huge implications in our lives as the events of the last days continue to unfold. Let’s apply these principles now, so our bodies will already be strong and able to withstand the things that are coming. We must have the faith to be committed to keeping the commandments, so that the Lord can then bless us for that obedience. The Lord has told us that He is bound to keep His promises when we do what He says (D&C 82:10). I hope we’ll take a more serious look at this section as part of our preparedness efforts.