Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Thirty-Three
A Principle With a Warning and a Promise - D&C 89
The Lord’s warning to His people in the latter days – In a revelation now known as the Word of Wisdom, the Lord warned: “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…by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation” (D&C 89:4, emphasis added). We are engaged in a worldwide war, and we are experiencing how important and timely the Lord’s warning is. We have learned that the greatest threat to our freedom and wellbeing is not overreaching government, terrorism, or some foreign power. Rather, it is conspiring people who promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and more recently, vaping. These people would bind us, especially our youth, with the chains of addiction.
The heavy promotion of alcohol is a conspiracy, and young people are an important target – Billions of dollars are spent by manufactures and distributors to promote the public consumption of alcohol products, including beer, and young people are an important part of the targeted audience. Alcohol adds are ubiquitous, clever, and well received by many young people. These adds make alcohol appear desirable, even glamorous. Grocery shelves are stacked with many brands of alcoholic seltzers which are sweetened to reduce the bitter taste of alcohol, which is often initially repugnant, especially to girls. Warning labels are required on tobacco products, but even more devastating societal problems are caused by over consumption of alcohol. Surprisingly, warning labels are not required with regard to alcohol.
Parental involvement is essential in combating underage drinking – While serving as chairman and vice chairman of the Utah Alcohol Beverage Control Commission for ten years I learned about the damage alcohol causes to an adolescent brain. In response to this serious problem the Commission initiated Parents Empowered which is a program designed to educate the public, especially parents, about the dangers of underage drinking. We learned that strong parental disapproval is the primary reason young people do not drink. If parents understand that, “research shows, underage drinking can change how the brain develops, impairing memory, learning and good judgement” they usually want to do what is necessary to prevent underage drinking by their children. (See Parentsempowered.org)
The Lord’s promise to His people in the latter days – “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasure of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen” (D&C 89:18-21).
The Word of Wisdom is evidence that the Lord is aware of our needs and desires to bless us – In 1833 when the Word of Wisdom was given there was limited knowledge of the negative health effects caused by tobacco, alcohol, tea, and coffee, however, modern medicine and science have provided good reason to live the Word of Wisdom. But good physical health is only one reason to live the Word of Wisdom.
“Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” are promised to those who obey the commandments including the Word of Wisdom – The hidden treasures of knowledge spoken of are the truth and wisdom that cannot be discovered by science, but are only revealed by the power of the Holy Ghost. These include the knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His kingdom is again established on the earth. It is to know that God has a plan for us, and the reward that we are promised if we follow His plan is eternal life. This is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
“And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (D&C 89:21) – Everyone will die as “death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Nephi 9:6). However, the Lord is in control of when we are born and when we die. President Joseph Fielding Smith further explained this when he taught that “no righteous person is taken before their time” (Ensign December, 1971). What the Lord promises His people “who are walking in obedience to the commandments” and who “remember to keep and do these sayings” is that they will be permitted to live out their lives and gain all the experiences necessary for them to finish their work on the earth. Whether their life is long or short, they will be exalted in the kingdom of God. There is no greater promise!