View source for Question: Do Mormons who do not eat meat "sparingly" violate the Word of Wisdom?

{{FairMormon}}
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==Question: Do Mormons who do not eat meat "sparingly" violate the Word of Wisdom?==
===Just as past members struggled as individuals and a group to keep some parts of the Word of Wisdom, it is arguable that some members today likewise struggle===

As with the former members, the Lord is merciful and has not yet created a "standard" for meat consumption&mdash;each member and his or her conscience settles the matter with him or herself.

With respect to the question of why we do some things (tend to eat lots of meat) but not others (don't drink tea), the reason for that likely has much to do with the concept of following the counsel of living prophets. The current Church Handbook says "hot drinks" means tea and coffee, and it forbids the use of illegal drugs, even though neither "tea" nor illegal drugs are explicitly mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. Like other scriptures, we rely on guidance from living prophets to help us to know how Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 should be applied in our time. With respect to eating meat sparingly, that remains a "word of wisdom," but, unlike refraining from tea, is not mentioned in the current Handbook and has not been publicly mentioned by any General Authorities for many years.

Joseph Fielding Smith made the following statement with regard to eating meat:

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While it is ordained that the flesh of animals is for man's food, yet this should be used sparingly. The wording of this revelation is perfectly clear in relation to this subject, but we do not always heed it. <ref>{{DoS1 | vol=2|start=148}}</ref>
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Thus, each member is encouraged to do better, but as in Joseph Smith's day we ought not to attack or dictate to others.  If the Lord is displeased with us individually, he can make his will known by revelation.  If He is displeased with the Church as a whole, prophetic authority will give the necessary correction.

The Word of Wisdom was enforced differently in the 19th century than today.  It was not the strict test of fellowships that it is for the modern member.  Members and leaders struggled with its application, and leaders of the Church were clear that while the Lord expected perfect adherence to the Word of Wisdom as an ideal, he was also patient and understanding of everyone&mdash;leader and member&mdash;who struggled to alter their habits.

In our day, the Word of Wisdom applies in ways in which it did not for Joseph Smith's era&mdash;the modern Word of Wisdom forbids a great many other illegal street drugs that received little attention in the 19th century.
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[[Category:The Changing World of Mormonism]]
[[Category:Difficult Questions for Mormons]]