Word of Wisdom (Latter Day Saints)

For the Pentecostal usage of this term, see word of wisdom.
Word of Wisdom
As Section LXXX (80) in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants
BookDoctrine and Covenants
CategoryRevelation

The "Word of Wisdom" is the common name of an 1833 section of the Doctrine and Covenants,[1] a book considered by many churches within the Latter Day Saint movement to be a sacred text. The section defines beliefs regarding certain drugs, nutritious ingredients in general, and the counsel to eat meat sparingly; it also offers promises to those who follow the guidance of the Word of Wisdom.[2]

As practiced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the largest Latter Day Saint denomination, the Word of Wisdom explicitly prohibits the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee (with tea and coffee being labeled as "hot drinks"), and recreational drug use, and encourages healthy practices such as nutritious eating, the sparing use of meat, regular exercise, proper hygiene, and getting sufficient rest.[2]

Compliance with the Word of Wisdom is necessary in the LDS Church to become a member and to participate in various church functions,[3][4] however, violation of the code is not normally cause for a church membership council.[5]

  1. ^ In the edition published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is Section 89. In the edition published by the Community of Christ, it is Section 86. In older editions which are used by some other Latter Day Saint denominations, it is section 81.
  2. ^ a b "Word of Wisdom". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference temple was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "When a Membership Council Is Not Normally Necessary", General Handbook (LDS Church, 2020) § 32.6.4.