The Lord’s Law of Health
Because God loves his children and wants them to be happy, He gives them commandments. Personal health contributes not only to our happiness, but also to our ability to help in building God’s kingdom, so it’s not surprising that the Lord has given instructions on the topic of physical health.
One important contributor to good health is sleep, and in today’s world, good patterns of sleep are often difficult to develop. The Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual says, “Electric lights and late theaters have transformed night into day and deprived the people of some of their natural sleep, and at the same time of a portion of their physical and mental vigor”. The Lord’s remedy for this health challenge is found in D&C 88:124. “Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”
Unlike today’s ease of modern inventions, everyday living in the past was hard work and exercise. Things like farming and hunting to get food, manual labor to provide shelter, and walking as a means of transportation contributed to a healthy body. Maybe for that reason, it’s difficult to find scriptural references on the topic of exercising the body. Still, members of the church are taught that exercise is an important part of life. In the pamphlet, For the Strength of Youth, the suggestion to “exercise regularly” is recommended for better physical and emotional health.
Maybe the greatest contributor to good health, is the food that a person chooses to eat. In D&C 89, known as the Word of Wisdom, the Lord gives clear instructions on what things will harm our bodies and which things will increase our health. He begins with the assurance that His instructions are “adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints”, or in other words, each person is capable of living this law. The Lord later suggests three food groups that He has “ordained for the use of man” - every herb and every fruit (which includes vegetables), flesh of beasts and of the fowls of the air, and all grain. In a world full of processed foods, convenience foods and fast foods, the Lord’s law of health is a reminder that meals that include basic foods will keep bodies healthy and minds invigorated.
In addition to what kinds of food, the Lord also gives other important suggestions. D&C 89:11 says, speaking of the healthy foods mentioned above, “all these to be used with ‘prudence’ and thanksgiving”, and then in D&C 59:20, “And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with ‘judgment’, not to ‘excess’ . . .”. Clearly, too much of this good thing can be harmful, and the warnings not to be excessive, to be prudent and to use judgment in choosing amounts, are an important part of the Lord’s law of health.
Keeping the Lord’s law of health will improve quality of life and will increase ability to serve God and others, but obedience to this law will do so much more than that. John A. Widtsoe suggested that there are four rewards for keeping the word of wisdom: 1) Self control is developed, 2) Strength of body, including resistance to contagion, 3) Clearness of mind, and 4) Spiritual power. Certainly with every commandment kept, comes many promised blessings.
The Lord’s Law of Health
Daily Assessment
Rate each day’s decisions from 1-5, with 5 being the best. Aim for 50!
1. Sleep
Did I go to bed early?
Did I arise early?
2. Exercise
Was I active during the day?
Did I do something specific to exercise?
3. Food
Did I include fresh produce throughout the day?
Did I choose meat carefully and eat it sparingly?
Did I choose whole grains?
4. Prudence, Good Judgment and Not Excessive
Was I prudent in my choices, careful to avoid processed foods,
convenience foods and fast foods?
Did I use good judgment in my food choices?
Did I eat in excess?
The Lord’s Law of Health
Daily Assessment
Rate each day’s decisions from 1-5, with 5 being the best. Aim for 50!
1. Sleep S M T W Th F S
Did I go to bed early?
Did I arise early?
2. Exercise
Was I active during the day?
Did I do something specific to exercise?
3. Food
Did I include fresh produce throughout the day?
Did I choose meat carefully and eat it sparingly?
Did I choose whole grains?
4. Prudence, Good Judgment and Not Excessive
Was I prudent in my choices, careful to avoid
processed foods, convenience foods and
fast foods?
Did I use good judgment in my food choices?
Did I eat in excess?
Daily Totals:
Weekly Totals (Possible 350 pts)
Wk 1 -
Wk 2 -
Wk 3 -
Wk 4 -
Wk 5 -
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