• This is one of the most important scriptures regarding eating meat:
• In the JST of Genesis 9:11, "And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands."
• Ancient scripture teaches that Daniel did not eat meat, and was healthier and his countenance shined. To the four that ate vegetables and seeds without meat, "God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." (Read in the Bible, Daniel Chapter 1)
• In D&C 89, "Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used Sparingly; And it is Pleasing unto me that they Should Not Be Used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."
• In D&C 49:21, "And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need."
• "Thou Shalt Not Kill" - this is one of the ten commandments - does it say only humans? What about animals? We should avoid killing animals if we can as it is pleasing unto God.
• Why doesn't anyone else Eat Meat Sparingly?
  The Traditions of Our Fathers. There is now an awakening among members that are eating meat sparingly.

  If we cannot obey the basic commandments, why would we even think to live another law?
  D&C 89:3 says that this principle was "adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints". If eating meat sparingly was adapted for the weak, what is the higher law? Either way, eat meat sparingly!

  Some people do not obey it because they are not open nor desire to know the TRUTH nor are they WILLING to live a higher law.

• God gave us these teachings "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have Warned YOU, and forwarn you..."(D&C 89:4). Some don't care about the truth. I hope and pray that you DO.

  Some conspire to make MORE money at the EXPENSE OF YOUR HEALTH. Look at Mad Cow's Disease.
  I TRULY CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR HEALTH. I LOVE YOU AND HOPE THE BEST FOR YOU!

• Apostle, Lorenzo Snow "introduced the subject of the Word of Wisdom, expressing the opinion that it was violated as much or more in the improper use of meat as in other things, and thought the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood." (Journal History, 11 March 1897 p. 2) Maybe the time Lorenzo Snow foresaw is now upon us now.
• One of the most brilliant scholars to ever serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was John A. Widtsoe who had the additional perspective of a scientist as to the merits of a plant-based diet. He wrote in a book on the Word of Wisdom, "It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water [and] vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only.... They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)
  
  Learn more about obeying the Whole Law, Listen to the Audio series "American Food Lies" at the bottom of the page.
• In May of 1898 the First Presidency and the Twelve were discussing the Word of Wisdom. One member read from the 12th volume of the Journal of Discourses where Brigham Young seems to support the idea that the Word of Wisdom is a commandment. “Lorenzo Snow, then President of the Council of Twelve agreed, saying that he believed the Word of Wisdom was a commandment and that it should be carried out to the letter. In doing so, he said, members should be taught to refrain from eating meat except in dire necessity, because Joseph Smith had taught that animals have spirits.” Wilford Woodruff agreed the Word of Wisdom is a commandment, but thinks no action should be taken except that “members should be taught to refrain from meat.” Read more about this Eating Meat
• Hyrum Smith taught us a little about the word sparingly - that we are to spare the animals' lives if at all possible - when he said, "... Let men attend to these instructions let them use the things ordained of God; let them be sparing of the life of animals; 'it is pleasing saith the Lord that flesh be used only in times of winter, or of famine'... (Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Vol. III, No. 15, City of Nauvoo, Illinois. June 1, 1842.)
• At Zion's camp when the men wanted to kill the rattlesnakes, Joseph Smith said, “Men must themselves become harmless before they can expect brute creation to be so. When man shall lose his own vicious disposition and cease to destroy the inferior animals, the lion and the lamb may dwell together, and the suckling child play with the serpent in safety.” We know Brigham Young was displeased when the men of the first 1847 pioneer company killed more animals than they needed for meat.
• President Joseph Fielding Smith's wife, Jesse Evans Smith, said, "my husband doesn't eat meat" and he felt a "disdain of meat and (a) love of vegetables." (Brigham Young University Daily Universe, May 6, 1971, p. 1)
• President Benson had said, "In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us." (Ensign 4:66, 1974)
• Benson said, "To a significant degree, we are an overfed and undernourished nation digging an early grave with our teeth, and lacking the energy that could be ours.... We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the 'kings meat' ---and whose countenances show it." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson pp. 476-7)
• George Q. Cannon who explained that, "other articles of food could be raised more cheaply and in greater variety than the flesh of animals." It takes from 5 to 12 pounds of grain when fed to livestock to produce one pound of meat. What better way for all to have abundantly than for humans to be eating the grain directly thus creating food for 5 to 12 times as many people. Wouldn't that go a long way toward establishing a Zion society and eliminating the inequities of a worldly system in which one man "possess that which is above another?"
• "Enmity of the beasts of the field as well as that of all flesh will cease... In those days 'the lion will eat straw like the ox (Isaiah 11:7)' ,... so much so that the little child might lead them and play with them, and nothing should hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord; all things becoming, in some measure, as when they were first created. For it will be remembered that animals did not devour one another until after the fall, neither was there any death, until after the fall. What did they eat, then? The Lord said, "To every beast of the field, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat." The grass, and the herbs, and every green thing were their food. And Adam and Eve ate fruits and vegetables, not animal flesh." (Journal of Discourses - Elder Orson Pratt, June 23, 1878)
• In the talk given by apostle Joseph F. Merrill titled "Eat Flesh Sparingly" in 1948, he states, "Then the book speaks about a bulletin by the United States Department of Agriculture in which we are told that . . . meat may be omitted from the diet altogether, for it has been determined that all necessary protein and energy may be obtained from other materials."
• President Nelson in October 2022 said, "Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power." Eating meat sparingly is a higher law that can give us access to higher power. Most importantly though, strive to be like Jesus. Jesus is the way, truth, and light. As president Nelson has taught: Be a peacemaker, seek personal daily revelation, repent daily, expect and seek miracles, and think celestial.

• "You shall run and Not Be Weary, and shall walk and Not Faint."
• You Shall "find Wisdom and Great Treasures of Knowledge, even Hidden Treasures."
• To Daniel and the three others, "God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams."
• It is pleasing unto God and He will abundantly BLESS YOU!!!
• You will lose unwanted weight and be more lean.
• Our mission is to assist You in having More Energy and have the Ideal Health You Want.
• Those who obey, "shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones."
• The Lord promises "that the destroying angel shall pass them by... and not slay them".
  Diseases such as Heart Disease (#1 killer in US) and many other diseases will pass you by and you shall live a higher quality and longer life.

• If I don't eat meat, will I get enough protein?

  You Know how cows and horses get so massive - they eat grass and plants of the field...
  What about Chimpanzees? They have more than 95% of the same DNA as humans. They eat more than a 98% plant-based diet. They may eat some insects occasionally.
  What about massive gorillas, horses, elephants, kangaroos, deer, giraffes, buffalo, and more? Plant-based diet. Let your fears go and remember the animals get enough protein. Eat a lot of legumes and beans or quinoa.

• When can or should we eat meat?

  SPARINGLY as it says in D&C 89, which it says is "only in times of winter, or of cold, or of famine"- in other words, in a famine (or if you are nutrient deprived), in excess of hunger, or in extreme cold.

• What does sparingly mean for me?

  If I were in a famine or nutrient deprived state because of lack of available foods or nutrients or if I didn't have enough warm clothes or a warm house, then I would EAT meat.

• What about D&C 49:18, "Whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God?

  Forbidding someone to:
  - marry (meaning - telling others they cannot marry - is not of God)
  OR
  - abstain from meat (meaning - telling others they cannot refrain from meat - is not of God)
  is not of God.
  If I forbid someone to 'eat meat' that would mean one thing but if I forbid someone from 'abstaining from eating meat', would mean the opposite.
  In other words, let them abstain from meat if they choose. Let them marry if they choose.
  If you look at the footnote - forbiddeth - it is biddeth, which would change the meaning entirely - to mean that we are not to bid others to abstain from eating meat.
  
  Either way that you interpret it, I am not bidding that anyone NOT eat MEAT at ALL. There is a time to eat meat. I AM SAYING TO EAT IT SPARINGLY AND FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU.
  I AM SAYING EAT IT ONLY IN TIMES OF FAMINE, EXCESS OF HUNGER, OR IN EXCESSIVE COLD. I will EAT IT IN THOSE TIMES WITH THANKSGIVING. I'll be the first in line for chicken when there is a famine.

• What about 1 Timothy 4:3-4, "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving"?

  Note that "and commanding" is in italics in the bible, which always means it was added later and was not part of the original, but was potentially guess work. If taken out as the original, that would mean the same as what we just discussed in D&C 49 above.
  
  If the "and commanding" part is indeed the proper translation, then let me emphasize that I do NOT command nor encourage anyone to ABSTAIN entirely. There is a time and a reason to eat meat which we have discussed above.
  Apostle, Lorenzo Snow said, "the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood." (Journal History, 11 March 1897 p. 2) I am encouraging to refrain (not abstain) and to eat it at certain times. I am inviting you to pray to see what sparingly means for YOU.
  
  Also, I do not ABSTAIN from meats. I eat them sparingly, in times of cold, and famine.
  
  This verse says that meat (animal flesh) is to be received with thanksgiving. Why SO much GRATITUDE for meat? Maybe because it is ordained for the use of man and is to be used sparingly? For all creatures are good and not to be refused during times of famine and cold, but with thanksgiving.

• What about the comma that was added to D&C 89 vs. 13 in 1920 even though not in the original manuscript?

  They have always changed the current version of the scriptures to be the most accurate. The comma is there now.
  Even if the comma were not there in verse 13, verse 15 clarifies it and has never had commas, "And these hath God made for the use of many only in times of famine and excess of hunger"?
  
  Be open to the possibility that it is because the comma is supposed to be there and that we are to eat as verse 12 says SPARINGLY. Either way, comma or not, we are to EAT MEAT SPARINGLY - and we will be BLESSED for it.

• Why did President Packer say it is extreme?

  President Packer said, "Young people, learn to use moderation and common sense in matters of health and nutrition, and particularly in medication. Avoid being extreme or fanatical or becoming a faddist. For example, the Word of Wisdom counsels us to eat meat sparingly (see D&C 89:12). Lest someone become extreme, we are told in another revelation that “whoso forbiddeth to [eat meat] is not ordained of God” (D&C 49:18)."

  We should be careful in being extreme. We should use moderation. We should not forbid others from eating meat as he mentions in the scriptures. I am not bidding that anyone NOT eat MEAT at ALL. There is a time to eat meat. I am not forbidding anyone to do anything. I AM SAYING TO EAT IT SPARINGLY AND FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU. We should follow what the Lord asks of us. Some people are not ready to live the higher law of consecration. Equally, some people are not ready to live the higher law of not eating meat or even sparingly for that matter.

  Sometimes when the Lord calls you to do something it may appear extreme. Did Joseph Smith appear extreme to some? What about Lehi? Daniel in the Bible? We must use caution and prayer to know what the Lord would have us do individually.

  We must use moderation. If you were starving by living this higher law and had nothing to eat but meat, you should eat meat. Do not be extreme. Eating meat is ok, we have not yet been commanded to stop eating it. Do NOT be extreme in telling others that they cannot eat it. It is a choice. We have been counseled to eat meat sparingly. What does sparingly mean for you right now?

• Why did the Savior eat fish?

  That is a great question, which I have thought about a lot. I had been eating fish occasionally because of that question until I got an answer. If I feel the Spirit say to me, eat some meat, then I'll do it. Sometimes that may be to not offend, to not confuse, or because my body is deprived of certain nutrients I may have not been getting enough of, this may happen once a month or less (or never). Find out what SPARINGLY MEANS FOR YOU - that is all that I am encouraging you to do.

  "Neither was there any death until after the fall. What did they eat, then?" Not meat, that is for sure. When all things are restored, it will be returned to that state. After much study and prayer in the temple, I know that He ate fish for a purpose. Perhaps it was to not confuse nor to offend. Perhaps because the economy was not nutrient-ready for this law. Can you imagine if no one ate meat during a famine?

  During the past 2000 years, there have been many times of excess of hunger, which would merit eating meat. He ate meat to not offend nor to confuse. If this law would have been taught incorrectly or in a confused, commanding way, more people and pioneers would have died if they did not eat meat. So many things in this world were not ready for this law. Famine still exists today. Many times people did not have enough nutrients available to them (ex:eating fast food all of the time). MEAT IS ORDAINED FOR THE USE OF MAN, but is to be USED SPARINGLY.

  If you question any of this, great! Go to the temple and pray about it yourself. Go study more and come read this again. If nothing else, eat meat SPARINGLY.

• What about Romans Chapter 14:2 that reads, "For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs."?

  These verses are about not judging each other. Verse 3 reads "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." God receives both those who do and do not eat meat.

  When verse 2 reads, "EAT ALL THINGS" this inlcudes other things - more than meat are being referred to, perhaps of not only eating herbs but also eating vegetables, grains, and fruits. Can you imagine a Roman soldier saying that those that eat herbs are weak because they had little fat on them? If we eat NOT just herbs but ALSO whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, and nuts we will be strong and healthy. Just try it and you will see.

  Romans 14:21, reads, "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." This would imply that it is NOT GOOD to eat flesh nor to drink wine because it makes you stumble, offend, and weak.

  Back to the main point of these verses: DO NOT JUDGE AND GOD ACCEPTS BOTH THOSE WHO DO AND DO NOT EAT MEAT.

• IS MILK MEAT? SOME SAY IT IS LIQUID MEAT

  If you are open to knowing and EMBRACING THE TRUTH, you will find it.
  The words of Isaiah say, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little." (Isaiah 28:9,10) Are we also to be weaned from the milk?

  What do cows eat? Plants of the field. When the cow gets older, does it still drink cow milk? No.
  Do we as adults still drink breast milk? No. Why do we drink cow's breast milk then?
  MILK was necessary for the time because this liquid meat gave nourishment to a FAMISHED PEOPLE. It is ok to drink it. We have not been commanded to not eat/drink it. I would encourage you to pray about it if you are wondering.
  More on milk later... For now, let's focus on MEAT.

- James Max Christensen

What does Heavenly Father teach us in the word of wisdom about eating meat sparingly?

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