Leviticus 11
“Clean and Unclean”
God used their diet as a teaching tool.
The laws were practical reasons for health and sanitation.
It was a daily reminder for the Israelites to act in their faith.
People may forget or neglect prayer, play, work, or worship, but they
seldom forget a meal.
At every meal a formal choice was made, generating quiet self-discipline.
In Hebrew “Clean and Unclean” =
“appropriate and inappropriate.”
Holiness was the central theme and all of its laws were established to
achieve it.
Leviticus 11 is today’s Doctrine & Covenants 89.
By voluntarily abstaining from certain foods or by
cooking them in a special way, one made daily,
personal commitment to act in one’s faith.
Each time they got hungry they were forcibly
reminded of personal identity and community
bond.
Indeed, they belonged to a set apart people.
Leviticus 11:2-31
“Kosher”
What was kosher to eat?
To a Jew it meant what was fit of proper
according to the Law of Moses.
Something which was not kosher was not dirty;
it simply did not meet the requirements of the
law.
Remember, we are looking at both the physical
and spiritual benefits of the law.
Obeying our modern-day Word of Wisdom brings
physical benefits which are well understood.
But the Lord also had spiritual reasons for giving us
the Word of Wisdom.
Observing it helps us to be “in the world, but not of
it.”
The dietary laws given to the children of Israel served
a similar purpose.
The law also separated the children of Israel from
their Canaanite neighbors.
Mosiah 13:29-31
Why such a strict law?
Leviticus 11
Clean and Unclean Food
Two conditions determined the cleanliness
of animals:
1. They had to be cloven-footed (that is, the
hooves had to be separated into two parts).
2. They had to chew their cud (v.3).
Leviticus 11:2-3
“Pigs”
Pigs were unclean because they will eat
anything. There kind of clean, but not.
This attitude is very dangerous for members of
the church .
We can’t afford to be kind of clean, but not.
The Israelites were told to eat animals that ate
grasses and grains, not meat eaters.
There were practical reasons for these laws related to
health and sanitation.
The flesh of swine is highly susceptible to trichinosis, a
malady easily transmitted to man.
Shellfish can develop a deadly poison if it is not killed
and handled properly.
The Hebrew word for clean carries the connotation of
being clean from all pollution or defilement…and
implying that purity which religion requires, and is
necessary for communion with God (Wilson, Old
Testament Word Studies, s.v. “clean, cleanse, clear,”
Seafood was limited to those that had scales
and fins. This requirement eliminated all
shellfish, such as lobster and shrimp, and fish
such as sharks and dolphins, as well as the eel.
Birds forbidden were generally birds of prey
that lived on carrion, or, as in the case of the
stork and heron, those that may have eaten
other unclean creatures.
Leviticus 11:21
“Insects”
Insects that had four shorter legs and two long
legs used for hopping were okay.
Leviticus 11:24, 31
Why did contact with a dead body cause one to
be unclean?
The law specified that contact with the carcass
of an unclean animal (or a clean animal that
had died in some other way than by proper
slaughter) caused one to be unclean.
The human corpse was the most defiling
according to Old Testament regulations.
The two great sins were to:
1. touch a dead body
2. touch blood
Many priests only worked at the temple a
couple of times a year.
In all probability it epitomized for the people of God
the full gravity and ultimate consequences of sin.
That the unclean person was barred from temple
service and fellowship with other Israelites seems to
bear out this assumption.
The symbolism suggests that contact with sin leaves
one tainted, and from this taint there had to be a
period of cleansing.
Luke 10:30-37
What does Leviticus 11 have to do with the parable of
the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10?
Doctrine and Covenants 89
“The Word of Wisdom”
Recalling the circumstances that precipitated this revelation,
Brigham Young said: “I think I am as well acquainted with the
circumstances which led to the giving of the Word of Wisdom
as any man in the Church, although I was not present at the
time to witness them. The first School of the Prophets was held
in a small room situated over the Prophet Joseph’s kitchen, in a
house which belonged to Bishop Whitney and which was
attached to his store. In the rear of this building was a kitchen,
probably ten by fourteen feet, containing rooms and pantries.
Over this kitchen was situated the room in which the Prophet
received revelations and in which he instructed his brethren.
The brethren came to that place from hundreds of miles to
attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by
fourteen.
When they assembled together in this room after
breakfast, the first thing they did was to light their
pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things
of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as
soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew
of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the
Prophet entered the room to give the school
instructions he would find himself in a cloud of
tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at
having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet
think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord
relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco,
and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was
the result of his inquiry (JD, 12:158).
Horace Greeley wrote:
In my childhood there was no merry-making, there was no
entertainment of relatives or friends, there was scarce a casual
gathering of two or three neighbors for an evening’s social
chat, without strong drink. Cider always, while it remained
drinkable without sever contortion of visage, rum at seasons
and on all occasions, were required and provided. No house or
barn raised without a bountiful supply of the latter and
generally of both. A wedding without “toddy,” “flip,” “sling,” or
“punch” with rum undisguised in abundance, would have been
deemed a poor, mean affair, even among the penniless; while
the more thrifty of course dispensed wine, brandy, and gin in
profusion. Dancing – almost the only past-time wherein the
sexes jointly participated – was always enlivened and
stimulated by liquor. Militia training – then rigid enforced at
least twice a year – usually wound up with a drinking frolic at
the village tavern. Election days were drinking days… and even
funerals were regarded as inadequately celebrated without the
dispensing of spirituous consolation (Taylor, Freedom’s
Ferment, 99-100).
David Whitmer said:
“Quite a little party of the brethren and sisters being assembled
in Smith’s house. Some of the men were excessive chewers of
the filthy weed, and their disgusting slobbering and spitting
caused Mrs. Smith to make the ironical remark that “It would
be a good thing if a revelation could be had declaring the use
of tobacco a sin, and commanding its oppression.” The matter
was taken up and joked about.
One of the brethren suggested that the revelation should also
provide for a total abstinence from tea and coffee drinking,
intending this as a counter dig to the sisters.
Sure enough, the subject was afterward taken up in dead
earnest, and the Word of Wisdom was the result.
Zebedee Coltrin said:
The Prophet Joseph Smith was in an adjoining room in
the school where they were assembled, and came in
with that revelation in his hand.
Out of the twenty-two members that were assembled,
all used tobacco, more or less, except two.
Joseph read the revelation and when they heard it,
they all laid aside their pipes and use of tobacco, and
said Brother Coltrin, “I have never used it since.”
Not by Commandment
“No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office,
after having the Word of Wisdom properly taught him, and he
the official member, neglecting to comply with or obey it” (HC,
2:35).
“If we would observe this law of commandment of the Lord,
first given not as commandment nor by constraint, but
afterwards declared by the mouthpiece of the Lord to be in
force as a commandment thereafter to the Latter-day Saints, if,
I say, the people would observe the principles of this
revelation, there could not exist… that most obnoxious
institution known as a saloon” (Joseph F. Smith, C.R., Oct.
1908, 6).
Hot Drinks
Joel H. Johnson with whose family the Prophet was
intimate relates that on a Sabbath Day in July (1833)
following the giving of the “Word of Wisdom,” when
both Joseph and Hyrum Smith were on the stand, the
Prophet said to the Saints, “I understand that some of
the people are excusing themselves in using tea and
coffee, because the Lord only said, ‘hot drinks’ in the
revelation of the Word of Wisdom. Tea and coffee are
what the Lord meant when he said, ‘hot drinks’ (Joel
H. Johnson, Voice from the Mountains, 12).
Cola Drinks
“With reference to cola drinks, the Church has
never officially take 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 habitforming drugs under circumstances that would
result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that
contains ingredients harmful to the body should
be avoided (Priesthood Bulletin, Ensign, June
1972, 46).
Doctrine and Covenants 89:1-3
As the Prophet received it, the revelation began with the fourth
verse as it is now rendered. The first three verse were simply
an introduction that he gave to the revelation.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:2
A binding commandment in 1833?
Yes and no!
Why?
John Smith, patriarch gave a talk on the Word of Wisdom at
conference. After his talk, Brigham Young arose and proposed
that it become a binding commandment (1851).
“Not by Commandment or Constraint”
President Joseph F. Smith offered this explanation,
“The reason undoubtedly why the Word of Wisdom was given –
as not by ‘commandment or restraint’ was that at that time, at
least, if it 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” (C.R., October 1913, 14).
Since the early 1930’s, however, the prohibitions of the
commandment – refraining from the use of alcohol, tea, coffee,
and tobacco – have been viewed as binding on the faithful
Saints. Adherence to the same is considered a prerequisite for
baptism and for entrance into the temple.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:4
“Evils and Designs”
A prime target for their avarice will always be
our children.
The main purpose of the Word of Wisdom?
In consequence of evils and designs which do
and will exists in the hearts of conspiring men
in the last days, I have warned you!
Four Blessings from the Word of Wisdom:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Self-control developed
Strength of body
Clearness of mind
Spiritual power
(John A. Widtsoe, Program of the Church, 39-40).
A readiness and willingness to receive
revelation. Increased faith and spiritual power
(Stephen Richards, C.R. 1949, 141).
Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-9
Doctrine and Covenants 89:6
NO!
“Pure Wine”
The language of this revelation leaves the impression
that a wine with a low level of intoxicant is intended.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:7
“Strong Drink”
Strong drink is a biblical phrase used to mean
intoxicating drinks (Lev. 10:9, Num. 6:3, Deut 14:26;
29:6)
“The Lord has told us that ‘Strong drinks are not good,’ who is it that will
say they are?” asked Hyrum Smith, “when the Lord says they are not. That
man who says ‘I can drink wine or strong drink, and it not hurt me,’ is not
wise. But some will say, ‘I know that it did me good, for I was fatigued, and
feeble, on a certain occasion, and it revived me, and I was invigorated
thereby, and that is sufficient proof for me.’ It may be for you, but it would
not be for a wise man, for every spirit of this kind will only produce a
greater languor when its effects cease to operate upon the human body. But
you know that you are benefited, yes, so does the man who has mortgaged
his property, know that he is relieved from his present embarrassments; but
his temporary relief only binds the chords of bondage more severely around
him” (Times and Seasons, 3:800).
Washing of your bodies:
Alcohol is a very helpful agent for cleansing wounds and abrasions.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:6
“Tobacco… an herb for bruises and all sick cattle.”
Applied with skill, a tobacco poultice can be useful in healing cuts and
bruises on cattle.
Doctrine and Covenants 89:9
“Hot drinks”
Hot drinks means tea and coffee, as those two beverages were the only
ones in common use among the members of the Church at that time.
The reason why those beverages were condemned was because they
contained a habit forming drug, rather than because of the temperature at
which they were swallowed.
It follows logically that any other beverage which contains a hurtful drug or
element, is open to the same objection, regardless of the temperature at
which it is taken (Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, 573).
Doctrine and Covenants 89:10-17
YES!
Doctrine and Covenants 89:21
“The destroying angel shall pass by them”
Is this reference to the destroying angel in this text to be
understood figuratively or literally?
The answer, it would appear, is both. Certainly there have been
those whose lives were destroyed by their failure to comply
with the principles given in the Word of Wisdom. There will yet
be others who will lose their lives in like manner. Given also
that this revelation cannot, in the proper sense, be lived in
isolation of all the commandments of the Lord and thus all the
promises of the Lord, we would also think that the time must
surely come when the angels of heaven will take vengeance on
the wicked as they did among the firstborn for the Egyptians
(Exodus 12:23, 29).