 Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live by a health code called the Word of Wisdom. What is the Word of Wisdom, and why do millions of Latter-day Saints around the world follow it? Let's take a closer look. The prophet Joseph Smith received the Word of Wisdom by Revelation in 1833. He wrote the Revelation down and canonized it in a collection of revelations called the Doctrine and Covenants, which Latter-day Saints view as Scripture. The Revelation is recognized by most as the reason why Latter-day Saints abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and drug use. But to understand why the Word of Wisdom came about, we first need to know some historical context. The Word of Wisdom appeared at a time of intense public debate in the United States about alcohol abuse. As early as the 1810s, rapidly growing industrialization and alcohol use had begun breaking down previously held social norms. By the 1830s, many adults in the United States had been raised in families where alcoholic beverages were consumed at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many people became concerned about the social and health consequences of increased alcohol consumption. The temperance movement grew as reformers called for abstinence from hard liquor. Many involved with the movement went further, taking a pledge against all alcoholic beverages, including beer. Some even recommended coffee as a substitute for alcohol, given that clean water was not always available. At the same time, some reformers spoke out against tobacco use. It was in this social climate in the early 1830s that Joseph Smith started a series of formal classes called the School of the Prophets. This school was an assembly of church leaders who met to discuss and instruct one another in theological and secular learning, such as religion, economics, philosophy, and civic matters. But the attendees frequently smoked, chewed, and spat tobacco, all in the same space where Joseph taught the school and recorded revelations. In addition, Emma Smith, Joseph's wife, was left to clean up the mess, and she was disturbed by the men's actions. She spoke to Joseph about it. Joseph inquired of the Lord and received the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom. The revelation helped the saints navigate many of the issues debated by reformers, and it also addressed Emma's specific concerns. For example, the Lord warned against the consumption of strong drinks, which latter-day saints understand to mean alcohol. Also the Lord cautioned that hot drinks, understood as coffee and tea, were not for the belly, in other words not to be consumed. Neither was tobacco, which was better used as an herb for sick cattle. Also at the time, some groups, like the shakers, advised against eating meat, while other groups advocated no restrictions at all. However, in the Word of Wisdom, the Lord revealed that he ordained meat, both beast and fowl, for the use of man on condition that it be eaten sparingly. The Word of Wisdom, given in its early American context, did not specifically mention many substances that have since become common. As the world's industries began mass production of such substances, church leaders encouraged latter-day saints to use common sense and stay away from harmful habit-forming substances. For example, recreational drugs should be avoided, while the authorized and correct use of prescription drugs is okay. In the Word of Wisdom, the Lord also warns against conspiring men with evil designs, foreshadowing a surge of substance abuse, addiction, and death. But latter-day saints see the Word of Wisdom as more than just a health code. Adherence to the Word of Wisdom not only teaches members how to control appetites and guard their health, it is also part of what makes them eligible for temple worship and promises spiritual benefits. Most importantly, following the Word of Wisdom helps engender greater receptivity to personal revelation through the Spirit of the Lord. As Boyd K. Packer, an apostle of the Lord in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints once said, a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation. If someone under the influence can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically. So let's review what is the Word of Wisdom and why is it important to latter-day saints? The Word of Wisdom is a revelation. In it, the Lord promises that those who follow His guidelines will have better health. But He also promises greater happiness, wisdom, and spiritual blessings too. Most of all, the Word of Wisdom shows us that God loves us. He wants us to be healthy and spiritually receptive to His words. Now you know.