This week, I had a rather intense discussion with my friend Dylan about the Word of Wisdom and how he felt it is likely instituted because we as humans are weak and imperfect and incapable of a higher law, such as a more "moderation in all things" approach without any real specific guidelines. In response to this, when studying with Dallin, we found Romans 14:14, which reads:
"I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean."
This suggests to me that none of God's creations are inherently bad and "unclean." In moderation, most things are good for you. However, everyone's bodies are different. Everyone has different physical needs, and because of this, certain people shouldn't consume certain things. In application to Dylan's feelings on the subject, this verse and the rest of the chapter seem to say that we ought to know for ourselves what is good for us personally, but also as verse 21 says, "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." We ought to be respectful of others and their life choices, and they to ours. Everyone is different, and that's okay. We don't all have to worship and edify the Lord through our bodies in the same way. Our personal relationship with the Lord is what really matters.
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