Word of Wisdom

Joseph Smith, the first leader and prophet of the Mormon Church, gave to his followers as revelations from God, not only spiritual, but also temporal doctrines. Such is in keeping with his teaching that “the spirit and body are the soul of a man”, implying that anything which degenerates the body retards progress of the soul. According to this doctrine, temporal and spiritual affairs assume equal importance; and all phases of life must be included in one’s religion” (From Medical Aspects of the Latter-Day Saints Word of Wisdom By L. Weston Oaks M.D.).

What is the Word of Wisdom?

The Word of Wisdom is a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith as a response to an inquiry. Brigham Young related some of the circumstances leading up to the reception of the revelation:

“The brethren came to that place for hundreds of miles to attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by fourteen. When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, … and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. 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 [the] floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco.” (Journal of Discourses, 12:158.)

At first this revelation was not given as a commandment. An introduction was added describing it as "a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints." (D