The "Principle" of Wisdom

The “Principle” of Wisdom

In a culture that so strongly emphasizes the importance of rules and restrictions, there is a dangerous tendency to make assumptions and draw conclusions. Unsure of how to deal with the pressures placed upon us, we often accept these assumptions as fact and adopt them into our very beliefs. The destructive power of assumption sweeps over us like a strangling fog, choking logic and reason from our otherwise powerful arsenal of common sense. Often in the Mormon culture we read too far into certain revelations and make assumptions about what they are telling us. In effect, we put words into the Prophet’s mouth. It is easy to become like the Pharisees who focus so intently on the letter of the law and miss the often more important spirit of the law. As assumed rules and commandments become more and more common they cloud our ability to understand what is actually expected of us. The specificity of incorrectly drawn conclusions makes us look beyond the mark and miss the importance of gospel principles.
There are those who take one specific commandment and draw their own conclusions about its importance and acceptability. Elder Packer likened this idea to a keyboard; “Some members of the Church who should know better pick out a hobby key or two and tap them incessantly, to the irritation of those around them. They can dull their own spiritual sensitivities. They lose track that there is a fullness of the gospel, . . . [which they reject] in preference to a favorite note. This becomes exaggerated and distorted, leading them away into apostasy” (Oaks). When taken to extremes, assumed commandments deaden our spiritual senses. This often leads to a judging attitude that in turn causes us to unrighteously judge and fall into sin.
One such assumption in Latter Day Saint Culture is that of the sin that lies within caffeine consumption. No doctrine delineates caffeine as an offence against the Word of Wisdom. The focus is placed on meaningless details while the importance of the principle behind the Word of Wisdom is often overlooked. As Doctrine and Covenants 89 reads, “hot drinks are not for the belly”. The definition of “hot drinks” can be hard to understand. Luckily, the very basis of our religion, modern and continuing revelation, has given us an insight into the interpretation of this perplexing passage of scripture: Coffee and tea. Let’s disregard the fact that both drinks are usually taken hot; what else do they both have in common? The intoxicating ingredient caffeine. Every Mormon child has heard its name whispered on the playground as if the very mention of the substance brings immediate punishment. Countless judgments have been passed and faces turned red as a result of caffeine consumption. The look of disdain from a relief society president at the sight of an empty Dr. Pepper can in your trash would suggest an offence equal only to alcohol consumption. Ironically, she then goes home and eats eight pounds of chocolate. We are counseled again and again to avoid any substance that may lead to addiction. Caffeine (like virtually any substance in existence when taken to a certain extreme) most definitely fits into this category. The question is, why do church leaders hesitate in specifically condoning or abolishing caffeine consumption? As I witnessed Elder Mask of the Quorum of the Seventy say in a Priesthood Leadership meeting in the Dominican Republic, “Do you see this can of Coca-Cola?” He proceeded to open it and (impressively) drink the entire can. Turning to a bishop he asked “Bishop, will you still sign my recommendation to enter the temple?” The obvious answer was yes; personal worthiness as of yet has nothing to do with whether or not we drink caffeine. If it had been an alcoholic beverage or a cigarette it obviously would have been a different story but according to modern day revelation, caffeine is not yet a sin.
The real issue at hand has nothing to do with caffeine but rather what the Word of Wisdom is actually teaching us. Is it a list of specific substances to avoid or is it a principle that goes much deeper than that? Elder Boyd Packer said; “The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ (D&C 89:3). That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor” (Packer). We can pull a plethora of knowledge out of such a small section of the Doctrine and Covenants. The Word of Wisdom teaches us that our bodies are temples that God has entrusted us with. He expects us to care for them. Just as we are not to plaster our bodies with tattoos and piercings, we should care for them physiologically as well. Section 89 teaches us to avoid eating too much meat (and only in the season thereof). Interestingly, though nothing containing caffeine is allowed to be sold on BYU campus, no one complains about the exorbitant amounts of meat served daily in every food establishment. As a freshman, I was amazed at the daily choices at the cannon center: bacon, sausage, and often ham for breakfast, hamburger bar, wraps filled with ham, and ribs for lunch, Chinese chicken, beef ribs and pork chops for dinner; the list is endless! Though a heaping plate of red meat will get you a passing “Bon apetite!”, a can of mountain dew with your meal will only score you judging looks of disappointment. The Word of Wisdom as a principle teaches us to take care of our physical bodies however we can. Why then is McDonalds not condemned as sin over the pulpit at general conference? As an athlete, I personally choose not to drink caffeinated beverages except under rare circumstances, but I understand people’s decision to do so because it is not against the commandments.
Again it comes down to principles and not specifics. Too often as members of the church we want a clear and deep line drawn between what is acceptable and what is not. However, the Lord has told us that “it is not meet that I should command in all things” (D&C 58:26). Each of us individually needs to analyze our habits, addictions and assumptions in order to more perfectly obey the laws and principles of the gospel. We need to take into account the whole of each principle to avoid “strain[ing] at a gnat, and swallow[ing] a camel” (Matthew 23:24). Doing so can be especially damaging spiritually if we focus on the mote in our brother’s eye. If we strive to follow the spirit of the law, we will find that the letter is very much the same. As long as we are caught up on the “checklist of what not to do”, however, we will continue to lose the teachings of the underlying principles contained in the commandments. That, in a way, would be as foolish as Esau selling his birthright for a mess of decaffeinated pottage.

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