Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
The Word of Wisdom is a benefit to all of us. Living it can bless us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Isn’t it great that God cares enough about us to help us know some basic health principles even before modern science affirms these facts? Keeping the Word of Wisdom helps us stay more spiritually in tune with the Spirit of God. In addition to the Word of Wisdom, our study of sections 89-92 will include the Apocrypha, the formation of the First Presidency, and being a ‘lively member’ of the church.
Brigham Young: ‘When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first [thing] they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom. …
"Often when the Prophet entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor [from chewing tobacco],…
"…made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry.’” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 263).
Brigham Young: “Some of the brethren are very strenuous upon the "Word of Wisdom", and would like to have me preach upon it, and urge it upon the brethren, and make it a test of fellowship. I do not think I shall do so. I have never done so.” (Journal of Discourses 9:35.)
Ezra T. Benson: “Supposing he had given the Word of Wisdom as a command, how many of us would have been here? I do not know; but he gave this without command or constraint, observing that it would be pleasing in His sight for His people to obey its precepts. Ought we not to try to please our Heavenly Father?” (Journal of Discourses 11:367.)
Brigham Young: “The observance of the Word of Wisdom, or interpretation of God's requirements on this subject, must be left, partially, with the people. We cannot make laws like the Medes and Persians. We cannot say you shall never drink a cup of tea, or you shall never taste of this, or you shall never taste of that...” (Journal of Discourses 14:20.)
“President Woodruff said he regarded the Word of Wisdom in its entirety as given of the Lord for the Latter-day Saints to observe, but he did not think that Bishops should withhold recommends from persons who did not adhere strictly to it.” (Minutes of First Presidency and Council of Twelve Meeting, Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” May 5, 1898).
“[In 1902] Joseph F. Smith urged stake presidents and others to refuse recommends to flagrant violators but to be somewhat liberal with old men who used tobacco and old ladies who drank tea. Habitual drunkards, however, were to be denied temple recommends.” (Alexander, "Principle to Requirement," 79.)
"By 1905, the Council of the Twelve were actively preaching that no man should hold a leadership position if he would not obey the Word of Wisdom." (Alexander, "Principle to Requirement," 79.)
“By 1915, President Joseph F. Smith instructed that no one was to be ordained to the priesthood or given temple recommends without adherence.”(Alexander, "Principle to Requirement," 82.)
“Heber J. Grant became President of the Church in 1918, and he continued the policy of Word of Wisdom observance; after that time temple attendance or priesthood ordination required obedience to the principle.” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Craig J. Ostler, Revelations of the Restoration: A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants and Other Modern Revelations (Salt Lake: Deseret Book, 1964)
Joseph Smith: “I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said ‘hot drinks’ in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom…. “Tea and coffee … are what the Lord meant when He said ‘hot drinks.’” [(in Joel H. Johnson, Voice from the Mountains [Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881], p. 12), as quoted in Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual.]
Hyrum Smith: “And again, ‘hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;’ there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.” [“The Word of Wisdom,” Times and Seasons, 1 June 1842, p. 800. as quoted in “Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual”]
"The Word of Wisdom is a commandment of God. He revealed it for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. Prophets have clarified that the teachings in Doctrine and Covenants 89 include abstinence from tobacco, strong drinks (alcohol), and hot drinks (tea and coffee).
"Prophets have also taught members to avoid substances that are harmful, illegal, or addictive or that impair judgment.
"There are other harmful substances and practices that are not specified in the Word of Wisdom or by Church leaders. Members should use wisdom and prayerful judgment in making choices to promote their physical, spiritual, and emotional health." (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 38.17.14, March 2021).
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Some have even used as an alibi the fact that drugs are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. What a miserable excuse. There is likewise no mention of the hazards of diving into an empty swimming pool or of jumping from an overpass onto the freeway. But who doubts the deadly consequences of such? Common sense would dictate against such behavior.
“Regardless of the Word of Wisdom, there is a divinely given reason for avoiding these illegal substances.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/10/the-scourge-of-illicit-drugs?lang=eng).
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner: "I am a traditional Jew, and I observe the Biblical dietary laws. I suspect most of you assume I go around all day saying to myself, boy would I love to eat pork chops, but that mean old God won't let me. Not so. The fact is I go around all day saying: isn't it incredible? There are five billion people on this planet and God cares what I have for lunch.” (“The Human Soul’s Quest for God” Brigham Young Magazine, Feb 1995, 26)
President James E. Faust: “Marrow has long been a symbol of vibrant, healthful living. But in a day of life-saving bone marrow transplants, the phrase "marrow to their bones" takes on an additional significance as a spiritual covenant. (Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 7; or Ensign, May 1992, 7).
“The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-doctrine-and-covenants-2021/intro?lang=eng)
Presdient Boyd K. Packer: "To those who keep the Word of Wisdom the promise is given of `. . . wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; . . .' (D&C 18:19) Our spiritual senses are more delicately balanced than any of our physical senses. Like a fine radio receiver with a sensitive tuning mechanism, they can easily be thrown off channel or even jammed by corrosive influences introduced into our minds and bodies." (Conference Report, April 1963, p. 108.)
Presdient Boyd K. Packer: “In Peter’s hand, depicted in marble, is a set of heavy keys. President Kimball pointed to those keys and explained what they symbolized. Then, in an act I shall never forget, he turned to President Benthin and with unaccustomed firmness pointed his finger at him and said, ‘I want you to tell everyone in Denmark that I hold the keys! We hold the real keys, and we use them every day.’
“I will never forget that declaration, that testimony from the prophet. The influence was spiritually powerful; the impression was physical in its impact.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2012/06/the-honor-and-order-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng).
First Presidency (Section 90):
- Hold “the keys of this last kingdom” (v. 6)
- Administer church (v. 7).
- Commanded by God (v. 8).
- “Through your administration they may receive the word” (v. 9).
- “Ministry and presidency” (v. 12).
- “Preside over the affairs of the church …” (v. 13).
- “Receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom” (v. 14)
- “Set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (v. 15).
- “And this shall be your business and mission in all your lives, to preside in council, and set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom (v. 16).
President Ezra Taft Benson: “If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord, then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain. How closely do our lives harmonize with the words of the Lord’s anointed— the living prophet, the President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency?” (Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, 30).
Vienna Jacques:
"Vienna Jacques (or Jaques) was described as possessing self-reliance, "patient toil and strict economy."1 It has been assumed that she worked as a nurse in the Boston area. She attended Methodist services at the Bromfield Street church in Boston until dissatisfaction with her religion led her to investigate other Christian denominations.2
"Upon learning of the Book of Mormon, she sent for a copy. After glancing through it she laid it aside, until one evening she received a vision of the book, which convinced her to diligently search this new scripture. She did so until her mind was "illuminated."3 Convinced of its truth, forty-three-year-old Vienna traveled alone by canal boat and then by stagecoach to Kirtland to meet the Prophet. After being further instructed by him she accepted baptism.
"Vienna remained in Ohio about six weeks before returning to Boston, where she was instrumental in converting several family members. Then, again alone, she rejoined the Saints in Ohio. She brought with her precious valuables, including fourteen hundred dollars in savings. On 8 March 1833 the Prophet directed Vienna to consecrate her monies to the Church. In obedience, she gave all that she had.
"On 8 March 1833, after returning to Kirtland, she was instructed by revelation through the Prophet to give $1,400 and other valuables she had brought from the East to the Church and to settle in Jackson County, Missouri (see D&C 90:28–31).
"During the westward exodus to the Rockies, more hardship was added to her life when, for unknown reasons, her husband died. At age sixty Vienna drove her own wagon across the plains in the Charles C. Rich company, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on 2 October 1847. She was given a city lot in the Salt Lake Twelfth Ward. (Black, Susan Easton; "Happiness in Womanhood"; Ensign; March 2002.)
"At age ninety she traveled with General Authorities from Salt Lake City to Provo to speak to a gathering of over six hundred "old folk." (As cited in Jerrie W. Hurd, Our Sisters in the Latter-day Scriptures (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1987), p. 69.)
"At ninety-one she was interviewed by a reporter from the Woman's Exponent, who penned that she "milked her own cow" and had made sixty-one pounds of butter that spring. The reporter observed, "She lives entirely alone, … does all her own housework, including washing, ironing and cooking, writes many letters, and does a great deal of reading. Sister Vienna is very familiar with the Scriptures." (Woman's Exponent 7 (1 July 1878): 21)
When Vienna was ninety-four another reporter commented, "The erectness of her carriage is sufficient to fill many of the Misses of the nineteenth century with envy.” (Woman's Exponent 9 (15 June 1880): 13.)
"…be a lively member…” (Section 92:2). A dictionary published about the time this revelation was received defines lively as "vigorous, active, strong, or energetic" (Webster, American Dictionary).
Teaching Thoughts:
- After the topic of “lively members” has been taught, invite family, class, and self to be a lively member this week.
- Invite sharing of how words of prophets and apostles have blessed and comforted during a storm in their lives. Consider inviting a few days ahead of your study time / class to come prepared to share.
- Don’t let the conversation with the Word of Wisdom become a soapbox experience.