'Word of Wisdom - Now You Know' - FACT CHECK

A response to the video "Word of Wisdom - Now You Know" which seeks to put forth the narrative of the LDS church regarding the Word of Wisdom, a health code unique to the church.

Video Sources:

Original Video - Word of Wisdom

Gordon B. Hinckley

National Geographic Article

The Cholera Outbreak in Zions Camp

D&C 89 - The Word of Wisdom

1921 Addition of Word of Wisdom to Temple Recommend Requirements

The original video is included under 'Fair Use' law for the purpose of critique.

#JosephSmith #WordofWisdom #FactChecking

[Joshdlongi]

It is funny the church uses Emma as a credible source for the world of wisdom but then says she cannot be trusted regarding polygamy.

[markridgway]

Hi, listening to 6:58-7:06 a point that is worth noting is that D&C 89:12-13 says that meat should only be consumed during times of winter, cold, or famine. This however is clearly not followed today as Ward BBQs, at which meat is served, take place during summer months.

[truebloodnz]

The Hotel Utah had the largest bar in the west. Joseph F. Smith defended this at general conference in 1911, blaming local laws allowing it and saying tourists would go elsewhere if their needs weren’t met. The financial benefits to the Church was also attractive.

[thelawofpsychegnosis]

Did you know that in Salt Lake Brigham Young distilled whisky.... Not a lot of people know that

[radiofreeutah]

Great work! It's clear the church can no longer uphold the notion that the WoW was somehow ahead of, rather than a product of, Smith's time. Thank you for pointing it out.

[darlenewoolf]

Another home run for Nemo! Thanks for sharing your thoughtful and intelligent arguments.

[day]

Wow I am shocked at the amount of info they shared/finally admitted. Still not the full/half truth but very interesting. Lots of contradictions for a short video 😬 Thank you for your videos!

[DancingQueenie]

The good lord could’ve saved a lot of misery if he’d said
Wash your hands
Brush your teeth
Boil your water
Apply bread mold to wounds
But here we are drinking decaf coffee and Diet Coke, overdosing on sugar and beef, addicted to rx drugs.
Thanks, Joseph.

[tracy]

I enjoyed hearing about the history around alcohol and the availability of water.

[jonathanwilliams]

The word of wisdom doesn't just say that meat should be eaten sparingly. It says meat should only be eaten in winter, or in times of cold or famine. But since 99.9% of Mormons completely ignore this part of the Word of Wisdom the video just omits it. Convenient. In verse 15 it is reiterated that meat is only to be eaten in times of famine and excess of hunger. But since Mormons probably eat more meat than the average American family they just completely ignore it.

[rebuildingmylife]

This was so good. On point, and great points made!
I especially love the last question. If early leaders of the church were drinking alcohol, and drinking alcohol impairs our ability to receive revelation, was there actual revelation received by the early leaders of the church?
I read somewhere that Heber J Grant had a little difficulty staying away from barley drinks. This might be part of the reason the WofW became mandatory for temple admittance. Nemo, could you fact check that please?
Thank you for your work.

[cherylstokes]

Being under the pressure of constant UNDUE INFLUENCE - from birth - actually pushed me into alcohol, drugs, casual sex - anything to self-sooth and cope with the massive amounts of guilt and shame thrown at me daily from the cult and my narcissistic parent. of course, my lack of self control only spot-lighted ME as the problem. only in middle-age have i forgiven myself and am working to forgive the church and my parent. baby steps

[laurakate]

This is peak content. I appreciate all the work and sources

[scottbrandon]

When I used to teach about the Word of Wisdom (or the modern version call the Lords' Law of Health), I found church members don't have a good understanding of what's included. They will swear Coke or other colas are included. They also think anything with caffeine is forbidden. In their minds this also includes Wink, Fresca, Tab, Mountain Dew, and some chocolate. The W of W also suggests eating meat sparingly, which many don't observe. When I asked about this it was suggested 4.5 lbs. per week of meat. It is also important to realize various items in the Word of Wisdom were not taken seriously in 1833. They may have been suggested but not forbidden. They became commandments and taken more seriously later one. The interpretation of hot drinks is also confusing to some members. They may see "hot drinks" as interpreted as hot chocolate, carob coffee, herbal tea, Chinese flower tea, and chai when these are not forbidden. There is no mention of drugs in the W of W, so the Lord's Law of Health is the modern version. It includes the W of W, but also provides for abuse of prescription drugs and illegal drugs. Some jurisdictions have now legalized marijuana. So the church has said weed is okay if it is medical based use.

[JP-JustSayin]

It's interesting how the little clip art avatar representing Joseph is never depicted smoking or drinking, when there is evidence that he did and no reason to think his use was any less than the next fellow.

[kiaraclayson]

It’s just disgusting that men ever thought it was ok to spit all over the floor for a woman to come clean up their nasty mess

[samantacm]

Hi, I really like your videos and your reasoning. I don't know if this counts as fact check but is it possible to do a video regarding Joseph claims of being descendent of Ephraim?

Keep the good work, I really enjoy your videos

[marklaymon]

Advised to stay away from addictive substances?? You mean, like sugar? Sugar is more addictive that cocaine. They ONLY reason they're advocating the use of pharmaceuticals is because they have investments in them.

[toniebonilla]

Instead of cofee many "Mormon" pioneers used Mormon Tea. A plant that grows in the sourhwest. This plant contains a ephedrine-like compound commonly found in the Ephedra family. Though it doesn't contain pure ephedrine mormon tea can be used as a stimulate just as cofee has been used.

[rosemariebennett]

Great work as usual Nemo. And just to be ckear on my personal life, i pretty much lived the word of wisdom before I became LDS. . It is so interesting about the contradictions of hot beverages.