Restoring the Original Spirit of the Words of Wisdom and Tithing in the LDS Church
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian and a conservative member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), I have come to reflect deeply on the evolving interpretation of the Words of Wisdom and tithing within the Church. From my studies and understanding of Church history, it becomes evident that both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the founding prophets, had practices that today would be seen as inconsistent with the modern application of the Words of Wisdom. In light of this, I believe that the Church should re-evaluate the current temple recommend requirements related to both the Words of Wisdom and tithing.
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Tea
Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, and Brigham Young, his prophetic successor, both partook of substances that today would disqualify many from temple attendance. Historical records show that Joseph Smith drank alcohol and smoked tobacco. In fact, on the night of Joseph Smith's martyrdom at Carthage Jail, he is known to have consumed wine with his companions . Similarly, Brigham Young, a key figure in the establishment of the LDS Church in Utah, also drank alcohol and smoked . These early leaders did not strictly follow the modern interpretation of the Words of Wisdom.
In addition, the LDS Church historically owned and operated breweries and distilleries. Zion’s Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI), founded under Brigham Young’s leadership, once sold beer, and Church-owned breweries supplied wine and beer to both LDS members and non-members alike . It was only much later, around the early 20th century, that a stricter interpretation of the Words of Wisdom became tied to temple recommend worthiness.
The Words of Wisdom: Originally for Self-Improvement, Not Law
The original revelation of the Words of Wisdom, given to Joseph Smith in 1833 (Doctrine and Covenants 89), was never intended to be a binding commandment. It was introduced as a guideline for self-improvement, a "principle with promise" (D&C 89:3). In the early years of the Church, it was regarded as good counsel rather than a strict rule . The shift from the Words of Wisdom as a suggestion to a rigid law, mandatory for temple worthiness, is a relatively modern development.
In my view, this shift has caused unnecessary hardship for many devout members. The original spirit of the Words of Wisdom was about moderation and personal betterment, not exclusion or judgment. The consumption of wine, for instance, was not universally prohibited by the Lord, as wine was used in religious rites both in the Bible and by early Saints. Forcing the Words of Wisdom into a rigid law contradicts the flexibility Joseph Smith himself demonstrated in his life.
Tithing: Should it Still Be Required for Temple Attendance?
The issue of tithing has also evolved over time. The principle of tithing was introduced as a way for members to contribute to the building up of Zion, a noble cause (Malachi 3:10). However, the Church has grown into a global institution with assets exceeding $100 billion . With such vast resources, it seems reasonable to question whether mandatory tithing should still be a condition for temple attendance. Shouldn't tithing be a matter of personal devotion rather than a requirement for salvation?
The Church's financial growth makes it unnecessary to enforce tithing settlements or compulsory tithing for temple recommends. Instead, tithing could return to its original purpose—an optional, voluntary offering given freely by those who feel inspired to contribute, without coercion or the fear of being excluded from sacred ordinances.
Restoring the Gospel’s Focus on Grace
The modern interpretation of the Words of Wisdom and tithing settlements risks shifting the focus of the gospel away from its core principles of faith, repentance, and grace. Jesus Christ never intended for His followers to be bound by legalistic interpretations of spiritual counsel. The Savior emphasized internal righteousness over external rule-following (Matthew 23:23).
To preserve the spirit of Christianity within the LDS Church, we must revisit the original intent of the Words of Wisdom and tithing. Making these practices optional once again, rather than prerequisites for temple access, would allow members to focus on their personal relationship with God. The Church should trust its members to make decisions about their health and finances without imposing unnecessary restrictions.
Conclusion
As we look to the examples of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, we see that they lived their faith without being constrained by the modern interpretations of the Words of Wisdom and tithing that many LDS members face today. The LDS Church is blessed with incredible financial strength, and it is time to consider whether mandatory tithing and strict adherence to the Words of Wisdom should remain prerequisites for temple attendance.
The Words of Wisdom should be restored to their original role as optional guidelines for self-improvement, not rigid laws. Tithing, similarly, should be a matter of personal devotion, not a requirement for worthiness. By doing this, the Church would honor the intent of its founding leaders while also embracing the true spirit of Christian liberty.
Sources:
- Doctrine and Covenants 89.
- Bushman, R. L. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
- Church Historian’s Press. The Joseph Smith Papers.
- Utah Historical Quarterly.
No comments:
Post a Comment