Word of Wisdom

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Amen to that. The "hot drinks" part makes about as much sense as the "Wheat for man, ...." parts. Yet, for some reason that part took hold.

The story of Naaman comes to mind.

[MikeWaters]

Yellow teeth and coffee breath are nasty.

[non sequitur]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Amen to that. The "hot drinks" part makes about as much sense as the "Wheat for man, ...." parts. Yet, for some reason that part took hold.

I think some commandments just creep into existence. Take for example R-Rated movies and not dating until you're 16. These started as general counsel but have taken a strong foothold among members. Now they seem to be semi-commandments. Twenty years from now they might be full-blown commandments and used as a barometer of member worthiness.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Yellow teeth and coffee breath are nasty.

I can think of dozens of things that are nasty to me. But none of which should be reasons for denying baptism or a temple recommend.

[MikeWaters]

Maybe because one day as armageddon is in full force, and the saints rush to zion, there will be breath sniffers at the gate. Coffee, tobacco, and alcohol all have distinctive oral odors. I think I may be on to something!

[ute4ever]

Is it too late to pipe in with the joke about the BYU coed putting on her shirt and going home in disgust because her member boyfriend opened a can of beer?

[UtahDan]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

The problem I always had with the high value placed on the WoW was that I saw little correlation between observing the WoW and becoming a better person. I get "Thou Shalt not Kill" and "Though Shalt not Lie" and "Thou Shalt not engage in sexual congress with thy neighbor's wife". But "Thou Shalt not drink Folgers"? You might be able to make an argument that abstaining from alcohol will make you a better person, but coffee, tea and cigarettes? That's where the WoW would always lose me.

The sole reason for the WOW is to show obedience and devotion to God. If you can learn to do that without any appeal to reason, you have just become a better person.

I think there is little correlation between going to church and being a better person. In fact, the less I am around members the more I like the church. :-)

[UtahDan]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The story of Naaman comes to mind.

Exactly.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The story of Naaman comes to mind.

Which is precisely why I abstain from tea and coffee even though it makes no sense to me. And I am very careful about when and where I express my opinions.

At the same time, that particular story has been used and abused in many an argument historically ("we are not sure why blacks can't get the priesthood, but it is God's will"). Not the strongest fallback position, if you ask me. It basically concedes that a particular doctrine/issue just doesn't make sense.

[SteelBlue]

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Where did you hear that about the wine? It is a first for me.

Bushman's book is one source. I don't have it in front of me, so I can't give you the exact reference. IIRC he states in addition that JS enjoyed wine on occasion, not just that day.