The Word of Wisdom (WoW), as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 89, was never intended to be a mandatory commandment in its original form. Joseph himself referred to it as a “principle with promise,” not a law with penalty. The 1833 revelation was given “not by commandment or constraint” (D&C 89:2), a crucial phrase often overlooked in modern discussions. Early Saints, including Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, drank beer and mild alcoholic beverages, used tobacco, and enjoyed coffee and tea in moderation. The implementation of the Word of Wisdom as a requirement for temple worthiness came not by divine mandate but by vote among Church leadership and sustaining from the general membership, decades after the original revelation.
Historical context shows that Church leaders debated the interpretation and enforcement of the Word of Wisdom extensively. During the U.S. Prohibition era, the Church took a stricter stance against alcohol, in part to align with the national climate. Previously, it was understood that beer, being mild barley-based drink (D&C 89:17), was permissible. It was only after prolonged debate among the Twelve Apostles that all alcohol was eventually banned, with the hope that if the law ever changed, beer might be reconsidered. There was even a time when vegetarianism was on the table, promoted by some leaders, yet the majority, many of whom operated breweries and consumed beer, voted against it. This shows that Church policy has always had a human and procedural element, guided by debate, majority consensus, and not always a direct revelation from God.
Further inconsistencies appear in how “hot drinks” were interpreted. Initially, “hot drinks” included all hot beverages, but later it was narrowed down—only black and green tea were prohibited, while herbal teas became acceptable. Curiously, the Word of Wisdom never mentions drugs, yet illicit drugs and even medical cannabis are now grouped into the health code. Members were even told to vote against medical marijuana in Utah, despite the fact that D&C 89 encourages the use of “herbs and mild drinks” for health. Ironically, Church-affiliated investment firms have had financial ties to synthetic marijuana companies, creating a conflict between policy and practice.
What most members do not realize is that Church policy is often formulated by debate among the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency, with the Prophet acting as the final arbiter. Brigham Young wisely cautioned the Saints not to follow prophets blindly, declaring, “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him” (Journal of Discourses 9:150). He warned that very little of what comes from the mouth of a prophet is directly from God, and that members are responsible to seek the Spirit for confirmation. This aligns with the core LDS principle of personal revelation and agency.
The reality is, very few members truly follow the full Word of Wisdom. Most cherry-pick the parts required to maintain temple worthiness, creating a culture of checklist obedience rather than true discipleship. This is not what Joseph Smith intended. Joseph emphasized liberty, personal growth, and revelation—not compulsion. Making the Word of Wisdom mandatory was not born of divine revelation, but of democratic policy and cultural pressures. In upholding our Christian conservative principles, we must return to Joseph Smith’s original vision: that the Word of Wisdom is a voluntary spiritual guideline, not a binding checklist for worthiness.
Citations
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Doctrine and Covenants 89
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Journal of Discourses, Brigham Young, Vol. 9, p. 150
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Leonard J. Arrington, Brigham Young: American Moses, 1985
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Thomas G. Alexander, “The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement,” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Vol. 14, No. 3, Fall 1981
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Michael W. Homer, “The Word of Wisdom in Historical Perspective,” Sunstone, Issue 100, 1995
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Utah Medical Cannabis Act, 2018 Ballot and Church Position (newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org)
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