Why Plant Foods?

With all the new "diets" advertised today promising renewed health, weight-loss, endless energy, and disease prevention, how can we know which is best for our body? The China Study (and I) present one theory, Atkins proposes another, the South-beach diet offers a variation, the Weston A. Price Foundation yet another-- how can we know what is best?

The answer: We can't.

That is-- not without Heavenly Father's direction. That is why we are so blessed to have the Word of Wisdom. Satan is currently participating in a all-out war against us. While we sit back, eat potato-chips and watch the new tv program; he is toiling day and night to destroy us. And he is employing every aspect of life possible to achieve his goal including causing harm to our physical bodies. The Lord is aware of the devil's motives and therefore has given us this guidance:

"In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation— " D&C 89:4

He gave the dietary guidelines, "not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. "D&C 89:2-3

So, although the Church now acknowledges parts of the word of wisdom as commandment (i.e. tobacco and alcohol.) the rest is left for our benefit, but not at all as a requirement.

My own opinion of verse 3 is that some of us are more vulnerable to potential diseases that can be avoided through following the word of wisdom. My body may be more sensitive to foods (i.e. meat) that others are not. But how can you tell if you are one of the "weak" ones? Umm... You come down with Cancer, Arthritis, Lupus, or Heart Disease. Well, I don't wish that on anyone, so we could say that everyone can benefit from following this guidance.

So, what does the Lord say to eat?

"All wholesome herbs [IE Plants] God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."D&C 89:10-11 One definition of prudence: skill and good judgment in the use of resources

"All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—"D&C 89:16

Fruit, vegetables, grains (especially wheat--D&C 89:17), and other plant-foods are for our benefit.

Apostle John A. Widtsoe said, ". . . Plants contain all of the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches, and other carbohydrates, minerals and water [and vitamins]. The great Builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children." (Priesthood manual)

"Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."D&C 89:12-13 Definition of famine: an extreme scarcity of food

What does sparingly mean?
sparing : marked by or practicing careful restraint (as in the use of resources)

Therefore, there may be times we'd like to eat meat, but would benefit from refraining from it. The way I see it, eating meat "only in times of winter" could be interpreted two ways. One- that plants are not in abundance and not be plentiful enough to survive on completely. If that is the case, we have plenty of plants available to us because of transportation and modern conveniences. Or-two- that meat is helpful in creating warmth within the body. If that it the case, many of us do not actually feel the affects of the cold due to our wonderful furnaces and indoor professions. There may be other reasons for eating meat in the winter that I am not aware. In any case, meat is "ordained for use of man with thanksgiving" when it is necessary for our survival. Pertaining to this, Joseph F. Smith said, "I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food....Love of nature is akin to the love of God..."

Heber J. Grant, reflected, "...During the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind...I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health."

So,what does the Word of Wisdom say about dairy products.

Well... nothing.

And that, folks, is precisely my point.

The Word of Wisdom clearly relates what foods are good and necessary for man. No where in the Doctrine in Covenants or Book of Mormon does it say, "The Milk of Cow is ordained for the use of man." It even seems a bit odd, when put that way, that we would be injesting in such large quantities-- milk from an animal that is meant to feed it's young. Don't get me wrong, I loved a great big glass of milk--and considered it very healthy. Besides, the USDA recommend 2-3 servings of dairy a day! This is where faith comes in. I believe that Heavenly Father created the world in wisdom and order. Cows create milk for their young. "The harsh reality is that to produce milk, a cow must have a calf. To maximize production, each calf is taken from its mother within 24-48 hours of birth. Calves would naturally suckle for 6-12 months." More here. I don't need to go on for you and I to understand that is not the way God intended it to be... I have an increased appreciation for the wisdom and order Heavenly Father used to create this earth.

Ezra Taft Benson said,“To a great extent we are physically what we eat… What needs additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grains, particularly wheat. In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state - without over refinement and processing - the healthier we will be. To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours because we over-indulge in junk foods…we need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the ‘king’s meat’ - and whose countenances show it.” “Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson”, SLC Bookcraft, 1988,p.476-7.

Ezra Taft Benson said this in 1988... think how much "we are an overfed and undernourished nation" rings true to us today. What if we are digging an early grave for ourselves because of that which we consume? How much better would we be at achieving all that we were sent here to do if we were at the best possible state of health?

He also mentions that, " In most cases, the closer these can be, when eaten, to their natural state - without over refinement and processing - the healthier we will be." The evidence of this is wide-spread; the healthful attributes of whole grain foods, raw foods, and organic foods are scientifically proven today. God-ordained foods were designed specifically for our bodies so that we could live at our greatest potential.

Elder Robert S. Wood of the Seventy said, "Today many people manifest the desire for such a rescue in small and large ways:... the individual who, having abused his or her body through lack of exercise and violation of the Lord's law of health, expects to be delivered, sometimes through priesthood administration, from the ravages of self-induced ill health..." Ensign, March 2002

That was me... trying to be healed from a self-induced over-dose of animal products. But thankfully, Heavenly Father didn't heal me right away but allowed me to learn and increase my faith. How have I gained faith? I truthfully struggled at first at believing that my children did not need the "daily 2-3 servings of dairy" the USDA recommends. I also worried about their protein intake. The China Study helped me put these worries aside. I now truly trust that if I try my best to get a variety of plant-foods as close to the natural state as possible, my body will the the healthiest it can be. And if my body is the healthiest, then my mind and spirit can thrive in the best possible environment.

Gordon B. Hinckley commented, "I thank the Lord for a testimony of the Word of Wisdom. I wish we lived it more fully, but even though we do not, the Lord pours out his blessing on those who try."

I know that if we do our best and continually try to increase our knowledge of this world and of eternity we will be blessed beyond our expectations. May you find strength to do His will and continually seek to gain His wisdom.