Heeding the Word of Wisdom

Huh.  Wisdom.  Sophia.  Goddess.  I never thought of that before... That's an interesting meditation!  And my friend, Dryad, pointed out that the WoW was prompted by Emma's request.  Iiiiinteresting.  But onward.


Doctrine and Covenants 89 (Emphases mine, blahblah)
 18 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;

 19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

 20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

The WoW (Word of Wisdom... not World of Warcrack) is one of my biggest pet peeves in the Church, and probably one of my biggest personal points of hypocrisy, because I am totally guilty of the stuff that bothers me.  There's a lot to be said for the fact that the Church does not micromanage us in the way we live this law, beyond the major Do Nots that can keep you from obtaining a temple recommend.  However, I don't think we manage ourselves at all on the less emphasized Dos.

• All wholesome herbs are for our constitution, nature, and use
• Eat seasonally  (Insert contemporary plug for eating locally, since we've lost that which they had no choice but to do in the early 1800s.)
• Eat prudently and thankfully
• Eat meat sparingly--it is pleasing to God that they be eaten "only in times of winter, cold or famine"
• Eat grains and fruits (This is back before "evils and designs... of conspiring men" genetically altered our food crops and the rise of rampant food allergies and sensitivities... okay, enough of that)

Including the directive from Section 88, verse 124 about sleep--which, while not explicitly part of the WoW, is certainly applicable to health matters--we're given about twice as many Dos than Do Nots, and we seem to have our emphasis flipped.  I'm as guilty of it as anyone, to be honest.  I stay up late (often whether I can afford to or not), eat junk food and too much meat.  I do use herbs and the like for healing and health, but eating seasonally or prudently, not so much.

So, what would happen to my ability to receive wisdom and knowledge, personal revelation about things presently hidden from me if I worked on the parts of the Word of Wisdom where I am less than diligent?  I think it's a worthwhile experiment.  I'm already working on going mostly-gluten-free, so cutting down sugar, increasing veggies, and sleeping more and earlier would probably be a good thing to boot.

Interesting that the way we are physically nourished (WoW, fasting) is so tied to how our spirits are nourished.  Especially when you consider the connection with women's traditional roles in most cultures as being the feeders and nourishers, nurturers, and this search for Mother, and the connection between the Feminine Divine and Wisdom.  Hmmmmmm... that is a LOT to consider!  ...Maybe this is the beginning of results from Sunday. :D

I shall let you know how the changes go!