To LDS members, about Word of Wisdom?

Question

I need some help, badly. My husband has discovered and become very interested in using a substance called kratom (which is, I think, a plant that can be smoked or consumed in other ways) and some related things that he has mentioned to me, like skullcap, salvia divinorum, and some other things. We are both members of the church, and I expressed to him that I was uncomfortable with his use of this stuff, (and a hookah pipe he bought) because I don't know if it goes against the word of wisdom. I have tried to read in gospel archives about it, but I can't find anything--please help me know what to do. I really think, deep down, that Heavenly Father wouldn't want this stuff in our home, but I can't back it up with any written doctrine, and he has a habit of explaining things to me in a way that makes me question my intelligence and feel invalidated. What would you do? And where can I read about the church's stance on this? Please help.

Answer 1

The Lord has admonished us that we are not to be commanded in all things, but to use our agency and our intelligence to discern that which is evil or good.



If something is addictive or destructive to the body, or used as a crutch to argue against what the Lord has told us then it should be shunned.



How close to the line of evil and ill judgment must your husband, and you, align yourselves with the Word of Wisdom? You know the answer.

Answer 2

Word Of Wisdom Lds

Answer 3

Lds Word Of Wisdom

Answer 4

It probably won't be spelled out in any church doctrine. I hope you know that the Lord doesn't work in that way. He will not tell you EVERY little thing that is bad for you. You're supposed to take the principles in the WoW and glean from them that you shouldn't take stuff that is harmful to the body. I think most members also know that smoking anything is REALLY frowned upon, because it looks like you're smoking tobacco. And if it's in some sort of pipe that I can only assume is typically used for illegal drugs, then all the worse. Try researching the different herbs (?) you mentioned and see what they are typically used for. That will probably tell you more about why he feels the need to use these things to begin with.



Personally I'm doubting very seriously that you're even LDS, or at least that you've ever been active LDS for very long because this is pretty basic stuff.

Answer 5

Up to you. Some of the alcohol burns away. Eating Beer Bread is not going to outcomes in intoxication until you are drenching the bread within the uncooked drink itself. Again this can be a judgment name. You ought to make a decision for your self whether or not that is right. I've cooked with cooking wine and many others. I see it as now not consuming the natural variety of it as good as the truth that one of the vital alcohol burns off. But I wager a few Mormons/LDS are plenty stricter on this than I am.

Answer 6

It's my understanding that smoking is always against the word of wisdom.



There are some "thou shalts", however, there are many things that are left to our judgment and wisdom. We've never been told not to eat 50 Twinkies every day, however, I know that that would be an unhealthy choice and I don't feel the Lord would endorse such behavior. Some of those things may fall into the same category.

Answer 7

The word of wisdom was set up (sorry I am ex-mormon, but I am sure you can talk to his bishop or any member who is a priesthood holder to back me up on this) to stop members from becoming addicted to substances, such as drugs, drinking (alcohol is a drug) and any substance that gets a person, or makes them feel GOOD. If this is making him feel high or Good or some people kiek to be brought down like alcohol sedates a person and they are addicted to the substance then it is against the word of wisdom. There are mormons in UT that won;t drink soft drinks with caffeeen in them, just because mormons need the caffeen in them just like coffee, soo you see...

Answer 8

Supposedly, it's in the same family as coffee, so that might be a good point. It's also in the opiate family. It does have some medicinal benefits, but those can be separated out from the plant.

Answer 9

If you arent happy with it, express it to him and ask him if he will get rid of it. Hookah is basically smoking right? You burn stuff and then it bubbles over water? THat is still smoking. But again, we arent commanded in all things so its up to him. Its probably not the best stuff though so try to stop him.

Answer 10

http://www.sagewisdom.org/kratomguide.html, sounds like a drug to me. The skullcap is a mushroom, if you get the good one it is medicinal, if you get the autumn one it is poisoness.



Looks like your husband is delving into the world of alternative medicins. Make sure that he is well informed because even some of the good medicinal plants can react badly with others.



As for the rest, if I were you, I would go talk with my bishop.

Answer 11

Hi.....you, can look to the words...'wisdom', 'moderation', 'excess', 'abuse', and the articles of any conference talk that speaks of 'substance'. What happens is emotional *drunkenness or mental *absence from those around them, and they themselves are not aware of their neglect, in fact, they are feeling 'good' they presume, so they wonder what could possibly be bothering you.



But you are a plant potentially being slowly neglected right in front of him. A substance of any ability to alter a person out of their proper sensitivty---even a little--is misuse (abuse). Go immediately to D&C 121 and find the scripture about unrighteous dominion, and copy it down."It is the nature of almost all men, that as soon as they get a little power [access; opportunity...authority...], they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion (abuse power and opportunity of choice)." It may not seem related, but it is, it show a tendency problem where opportunity shows up.



Dominion over your own welfare is part of the equasion, here, and others have to fall with the dominos. This will give you strength to set your own boundaries of safety, because a person who will not protect himself, will protect you no more. The script is about abuse of dominion, meaning, abuse of the priviledge of agency (self-management over choice of movement).....if these plants alter him in ways that make you feel flat, you've got a problem. Even cocaine, used straight off the plant as a tea doesn't act like it does when concentrated. It's used for stomach ache in south america. It's a whole different story when it's altered, not that I recommend the tea.



Find out if the process is altering the herb. Even water can be abused, so it's not about the substances as much as abuse. Not too long ago, a college boy died of water-hazing, he was simply forced to drink too much at once and was dead by morning.



Still, sometimes it's the slow deteriorations that are worse. I married my first husband with real high hopes, but he turned out to be an addict, and they all say the same thing to *get you to be co-dependant (I call co-dependancy a Sick Support System). They push their will hard, and will do anything to keep their toy.



I'm afraid to say, though, it's the enabler with all the power. A perpetrator can't keep it going without an good Enabler he can depend on!!



Draw the line early, I drew mine too late.



I also say that "love, is to protect someone even from himself".



Now you decide how much you will be loved, not him. If he can pull it off he's lucky to get to keep you. I left when I realized he was already 'gone'. It took 17 years for me to acknowledge his absence right under my nose, and this even included prostitutes, AIDS exposure, and porn exposure to my children.



All addiction is as bad as the next, so I would not want you to think substance is lesser than what I went through. Substance is substance...a protitute is substance. You do not have to tolerate it for some 'grace' period before letting the ax fall, and you shouldn't. I married this guy twice because I thought forgiving him meant I had to keep him. But he did it to me again, even worse.



I am sure your husband's a good person, but let me forwarn you, everyone has *enough good in them to make a sufferer put up with too much for too long. It just starts looking like common daily normality.



Draw the boundaries early, and don't be afraid to be stern about it.



If you're uncomfortable, that should be good enough for him to put it down. If it's not, he's found a new love.

He's separated himself. He has stepped away from yOu, not you from hIm. You just have to recognize for yourself when that point is, when you are left standing alone.



Ultimately, the final requirement for any thing of great nature is accessed via sacrifice. If we stop short of that, that's what we have given ourselves and others...the short end of the deal.



Sacrifice is the determining factor whether nipping a disturbance is the bud will create healing or not..............these are harsh words for him, but how teachable and willing is he?



If he abuses your kindness and takes advantage of it, he doesn't mind your fall, and this can come from underestimating, alone. There are times when a talk will do, and then thee are times when a head needs to cut off..I hope he is of the caliber to put out the sacrifice for you both. ................God Bless

Answer 12

I am in the bishopric in my ward. I can tell you directly that this is against the word of wisdom. Smoking anything, in any form is against the word of wisdom. Not to mention that this sounds like a drug and those are against the W O W as well.

Answer 13

The problem seems to be that you don't consider your feelings to be valid unless you can find "scripture" to back it up. This is simply not so. If YOU don't like him getting high, that should be enough for him. You don't need "back up" on this from a text. If you need a scripture to tell you whether or not you should feel something, then you're replacing intelligence with a spiritual crutch, and you SHOULD be questioning your intelligence.



Stop seeking validation of your feelings from an external source and assert your self to your husband.

Answer 14

i remember when i was 14 and rebellious against what i call "common sense" My friend and i made scotch broom cigarettes. Went down to the Presbytarian church where they have some alter outside and smoked them.(i have no idea why)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_broom



Thats what i call being an idiot.

Answer 15

What is the purpose of this substance? Is it for a vain purpose like building muscle or loosing weight? Is it addictive in any way? Consider the reasons for consuming it and then pray about it. Our bodies are temples and we should consider very carefully the things that we put into them. Maybe even consult your bishop.



best wishes

Answer 16

“Every year substance abuse claims younger victims with harder drugs. A third of high school seniors get drunk once a week. The average age for first-time drug use is now thirteen years old.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley, The Scourge of Illicit Drugs, Ensign (CR), November 1989, p.48

I wish I could say that all of our people, and particularly our young men, are free from this scourge. They are not, although I am pleased to note that drug use has declined among young people in some areas, including Utah.

• How is the Word of Wisdom a manifestation of God’s love for us? How is it a manifestation of Joseph Smith’s calling as a prophet and seer? (Explain that the Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom to the Prophet Joseph Smith long before the accuracy of its principles was fully documented in scientific studies. This revelation anticipated the current epidemic of substance abuse. It forewarns and protects us against specific problems of our day.)

We repeat what we have said before: make a habit of going to the house of the Lord. There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance. It will crowd out the evils of pornography, substance abuse, and spiritual atrophy. It will strengthen marriage and family relations.

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, One Link Still Holds, Ensign (CR), November 1999, p.13

Pornography is evil. I love the story told at the funeral of Henry Eyring’s father. When he was a young man coming across the border from the Mexican colonies to the United States, the customs man said, “Son, do you have any pornography in your suitcase or trunks?” He responded, “No sir, we don’t even own a pornograph.” It’s wonderful to be that pure and naive. We know pornography is addictive and destructive. It has companions it travels with: drinking, smoking, and drugs. It uses some types of music, dancing, the Internet, and television. Those who produce it are godless and have no conscience. They know the consequences, but they don’t care. Like those who peddle drugs, they will never be around to pick up the pieces when you’re all broken up. But we will—your parents, bishops, and leaders.

We learn that when we cross over the Lord’s boundaries, we are often caught in a quicksand of sorts. The ways of the world are often like that quicksand, and they can be so destructive. They seek to divert us from the Lord’s boundaries—His commandments. These worldly ways (drugs, drinking, smoking, living together without marriage, some of the music, and on and on):

One of the first articles to document a link between smoking and lung cancer appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1950,21 117 years after the Lord opened this window to His prophet.

young man of deacon age reported: “I feel a lot of pressure from my friends to smoke and steal and things like that. … My best friends are really pushing me to do it. They call me a pansy and a mamma’s boy if I don’t. I really don’t like the idea of smoking but my good friend Steve told me in front of some of my friends, ‘Kevin, you’re an idiot and a chicken wrapped up in one little body.’ ” (J. Santrock, Adolescence, New York: William C. Brown, 1987; italics added.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Believe His Prophets”, Ensign (CR), May 1992, p.50

I heard President Grant on several occasions before I met him. As teenage boys, my brother and I came to this Tabernacle at conference when there was room for anybody who wished to come. As boys are wont to do, we sat in the balcony at the very far end of the building. To me it was always impressive when this tall man stood to speak. Some kind of electricity passed through my boyish frame. His voice rang out in testimony of the Book of Mormon. When he said it was true, I knew it was true. He spoke with great power on the Word of Wisdom and, without hesitation, promised blessings to the people if they would observe it. I have often thought of the human misery, the pain that has resulted from the smoking of cigarettes, the poverty that has resulted from the drinking of liquor which might have been avoided had his prophetic counsel been followed.

Answer 17

Go by yourself and counsel with your bishop first, that way you don't have him there to make excuses. Also you don't want him to feel like you are throwing him under the bus.



Then if you need to bring him in you can, if not your bishop can give you tools to help him.



I learned the counsel with your bishop by yourself thing the hard way.



Edit**

Feel free to email me about this. My ex husband had several addictions. I know how hard it can be and how easy it is to second guess yourself and convince yourself that you are overreacting, when in fact you may not be.

Answer 18

If i were you i would tell him that i do not want that in my home. I do not want to be exposed to it or anyone else in the home. The lds websites http://www.lds.org and http://www.mormon.org might have some stance on it. I for sure would not want that it my home.

Answer 19

Technically ALL forms of smoking is repugnant to the church.



Perhaps you should take it up with your local bishop instead.

Answer 20

I think you should stop trying to control your husband. It is his home also and this is what he chooses. Furthermore you set yourself up for failure when you try to control another human being.



You aren't using the stuff, so don't take responsibility for your husband's actions. You spoke your mind, now let it be.



This doesn't mean you have to tolerate something that upsets you. If this becomes something you can't live with then you need to move out. Moving out does not necessarily mean divorce. He will figure out what is right for him at that point.

Answer 21

I guess you will have to divorce him since he wont live up to your standards. Maybe you should calm down and have some yourself. God put those plants there for a reason.

Instead of looking in the BOM why dont you research what he is smoking and what they are used for. Then use your own logic instead of having to someone else tell you what to do. God gave you a brain for a reason, use it.

Answer 22

LDS IS A CULT>>> Go to a different church!!! RUN RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN< AND AS FAAAAAR AS YOU CAN GET FROM THE MORMON CHURCH. I'm sorry, but their beliefs IN MY OPINION are SEVERELY DELUDED!!! They own stock in Pepsi Cola but dont believe in drinking caffeine. THAT's JUST ONE of the MINOR, yet ridiculous hypocracies in the Mormon Cult...Let's see, another would be the fact that they OPENLY ADMIT they are going to be left behind in the rapture, so they buy stock in Schwan Man, stock up the basement with food, so they don't starve during the Tribulation. Need more. There's PLENTY where that came from. RUN HONEY RUN....

Answer 23

At http://www.exmormon.org