Words of wisdom and the judgment of fools

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Raccoon1010

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The Mormons (aka: Church of Jesus the Christ of Latter Day Saints) have what is called the words of wisdom. They were given to their spiritual leader and establisher of the Mormon church in the 1850's era.

They read as such:

No coffee or tea
No tobacco
No alcoholic beverages

Original text (words of wisdom):

Doctrine and Covenants 89:

1 A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: 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 forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
12 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;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
18 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;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 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.

The direction from God in the new and old testament is quite different and contains various verses:

1. Wine for the lowly of heart, poor, and for their many infirmities (illness suffering)
2. Strong drink for the dying (Severe pain and suffering near to death)
3. Be sober during the day and morning and productive in harvest, in work and priestly duties.
4. Make covenant with God to abstain from alcohol if possible and God provides.

Proverbs 31:

31 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

1 Timothy 5

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.


-----‐-‐----‐-----

Do Christians snub, mock or treat shamefully them that drink. Sure some glutinously drink for no reason other than to wildly party and be entertained. While others, including biblical times used alcoholic drinks at marriage diners, and feasts, etc.

Do people mock them that suffer and therefor drink alcoholic beverages according to biblical directions.

Words of wisdom is to not drink alcohol, while the opposite is of course foolishly drinking.

The Book of Mormon has a story about how Lehi and his sons stole the record of the Jews from an Israel area and man called Laben. They killed Laben and the record he was in possession of. Later traveling to the Americas where they became the native tribes.

There is Noah drunk after the flood and found sleeping by his sons who took care of him until he ended his drinking. Harsh times to survive a flood.

The escape from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah of Lot and his daughters also has a drugged story about the daughters getting Lot drunk.

Those are all warnings and wise tales from our Lord to learn from. Some are history to not repeat.

Do we look on private matters of people not obeying "words of wisdom" as fools? Or of no worth as the word "Racca" is defined?

Reference the entrapment warning from the bible:

Matthew 5

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.


Thank You,

Devin aka @Raccoon1010
 

Lizbeth

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These scriptures come to mind:

Mat 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Col 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days


Col 2:20-23

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.


We need no wisdom but God's wisdom, do we......which is set out in His word, which already does warn and instruct about drunkenness and gluttony. And I believe to obey the words of men is a kind of idolatry, of obeisance and submission to someone who is not God. It's a very subtle kind of luring away from the Lord to another. (That is apart from submission to God in obeying Him to submit to authorities, etc, for the sake of expediency.)
 
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Raccoon1010

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These scriptures come to mind:

Mat 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Col 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days


Col 2:20-23

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.


We need no wisdom but God's wisdom, do we......which is set out in His word, which already does warn and instruct about drunkenness and gluttony. And I believe to obey the words of men is a kind of idolatry, of obeisance and submission to someone who is not God. It's a very subtle kind of luring away from the Lord to another. (That is apart from submission to God in obeying Him to submit to authorities, etc, for the sake of expediency.)
Hi @Lizbeth

Yes I find the lords direction for myself is often dynamic according to the adversities, persons, conditions, etc, I encounter. I know many are aware of that. Commandments don't change really.

A note for readers,

Mankind can speak speak the words of God, something we find in witnessing together as Christians when the holy ghost is with us. Also scriptures are such.

Thanks much for your input!