The Word of Wisdom

I have been thinking a lot about the Word of Wisdom lately. Obeying the word of wisdom is something that has never been an issue for me and because of this, I have been exceedingly blessed by avoiding many heartaches such as addiction and other associated health risks. However, I believe part of the root of the word of wisdom is having your spirit be in control of your body, which it cannot be as long as we are addicted to anything. Addiction is part of the "natural man" and every person battles this on and off throughout their life. It may be a bad temper, over-spending, pornography, over-eating, promiscuity, alcohol, lying, biting your fingernails, or even diet coke consumption. Some are considered worse addictions than others, but in my mind they all stem from an emotional or spiritual deficit that you are trying to fill with something physical.  And while I personally haven't struggled with the desire to drink alcohol, coffee, or use tobacco, I am mindful that I have my own bad habits that many times have control over me. I think if I had allowed myself to drink alcohol, I would have been an addict because I have addictive tendencies in other areas of my life.  I believe that if you can be addicted to one bad habit, you could just as easily be addicted to another bad habit so I have never felt in the position to judge anyone that doesn't obey the word of wisdom. In fact, I have often thought how many more people are dying or suffering because of obesity than coffee consumption. I mean really, does that make any sense to you? That you can't enter the temple if you drink coffee, but if you consume 13,000 calories per day and are slowly killing yourself, then come on in! I am not judging people that struggle with this, only pointing out something that is glaringly confusing.  It just makes me wonder why the subject is so taboo that it is never addressed in conference talks.  Obesity is an epidemic that is not only killing people, but raising the cost of healthcare exponentially!  Although I am not obese, food addiction is something I feel I can understand. I LOVE food and if I allowed myself, I could be overweight very easily. There are times when I know I am out of control with what I am eating and I don't feel good about myself. It is a day by day decision for me that will probably never end until the day I die. I must say also, that on my "personal sliding scale of sin", those who drink alcohol are far better off than those who stick their noses up at others and judge them at every turn, or perhaps have no problem taking the sacrament or bearing a very heartfelt testimony while being involved with risky and dishonest business ventures.  (Yes, I am referring to someone in particular).  I would choose as a friend the person who drinks any day over many other people who by outward appearances are considered "saints." Part of the Word of Wisdom says that it is "Given for a principle with a promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints."   So to me, this means that the bar is set at the lowest standard and it is up to us to raise the bar according to our own needs. For me, this has become trying every day to eat in moderation (soooo hard) and to exercise 4-5 days per week. This year it will also mean drinking far less caffeinated soft drinks and consuming less processed foods.  On lds.org, it also says regarding the word of wisdom that "Following the Word of Wisdom shows respect for your body. Other ways to show respect include following the counsel of latter-day prophets to avoid excess body piercing and tattooing."  I love that this extrapolation is made by the church.  If we just lived our lives making decisions that showed respect for our body, piercing, tattooing, and obesity would not be such big problems. Although I have some questions about the word of wisdom and what it exactly means in some instances, I take comfort in knowing that it is a principle with a promise:    "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;     "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;     "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.     "And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen" (Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21).