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Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:49 am
by _jon
Can you be living the word of wisdom but still be obese?

Or can the Bishop rightly remove the temple recommends of anyone who's BMI is above the 'normal' level?

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:30 pm
by _brade
jon wrote:Can you be living the word of wisdom but still be obese?

Or can the Bishop rightly remove the temple recommends of anyone who's BMI is above the 'normal' level?


Not sure if this is serious, but, yes, you can be living the Word of Wisdom but still be obese.

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:41 pm
by _Doctor CamNC4Me
Absolutely not. You're not even supposed to eat "fuckin' meat or some crap unless it's Wintertime or famine"; you're supposed "to have All Things in Moderation and that crap". "So, you know, I have a drink and it's all bad, but you have a cake and it's cool. I don't think you should post that. Please don't post that. Stop! Stop that! LOL. Lol. *looks at husband disapprovingly*

V/R
Dr. Cam

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:46 pm
by _LDS truthseeker
I've heard of some cases where a bishop denied someone their temple recommend because of obesity but I think they were rogue bishops exceeding their authority.

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:56 pm
by _Yoda
jon wrote:Can you be living the word of wisdom but still be obese?

Or can the Bishop rightly remove the temple recommends of anyone who's BMI is above the 'normal' level?


The problem is, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to obesity. Although it is true that most people who are obese is because of eating too much...there are other medical reasons for being obese, where a person could actually be living the word of wisdom, but still be overweight.

These factors might include thyroid malfunction, hormonal imbalance, etc.

In the end, if a Bishop asks the member if they live the WoW, and the member answers, "Yes," then they have to take that member at his/her word. If the member lies, then, ultimately, the sin is on the member's head for lying, rather than on the Bishop, who asked the question.

As far as whether or not the Bishop has the "right" to pull a temple recommend...I think that if there was a clear-cut case of abuse established, he technically could. I personally have never seen this situation occur.

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:58 pm
by _just me
On the flip side there are those who are underweight. Shall they have their TR's revoked as well?

What of people who are bulimic or anorexic?

You can live the WoW and be obese or underweight. There is nothing in it about calories or quantity of food being eaten. There is nothing about fats and sugars.

Regardless, the church is really more concerned with the coffee, tea, tabacco, alcohol, drugs aspect....some of which aren't actually part of the WoW. The WoW of today is actually a bit different from what is in the D&C.

I used to think the WoW was a health code, but now I see it as an obedience measuring stick.

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:10 pm
by _jon
just me wrote:I used to think the WoW was a health code, but now I see it as an obedience measuring stick.


It is interesting that there are so many different views and opinions on what constitutes living the word of wisdom and how important it is.

Officially the word of wisdom is one of the most important things within Mormonism. Without living it you cannot gain entry to the Temple and it's ordinances, without which your exaltation cannot be gained.
Yet it is also one of the most unclear.

Can you drink cold tea?
When Hinckley told the world 'no caffeine' why do Mormons eat chocolate?
Why do Mormons eat meat when it is expressly stated it should only be eaten in times of winter or famine?
Why isn't it constantly being updated to include the things that are discovered to be harmful that aren't covered within the original statements?
Does the term 'in moderation' therefore mean in moderation?

Re: Word of wisdom question...

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:16 pm
by _LDSToronto
just me wrote:
I used to think the WoW was a health code, but now I see it as an obedience measuring stick.


Words of wisdom right there. It's a marker of who is in the tribe and who is not. Same as G's, clean language, and skirts on Sundays.

H.