Dear Gramps,

What are the food pattern for Mormons?

Marikina City, Luzon

Dear Marikina,

The food patterns for Mormons are in conformance to both specific and general guidelines. The Doctrine & Covenants is a book of Revelations that the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the early days of the Mormon Church. Section 89 of that volume is a revelation called the Word of Wisdom, and it deals mainly with matters of nutrition and health. In that revelation from God there is a very specific proscription against the use of tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee (that are called hot drinks). On the positive side, the members of the Mormon Church are counseled in this revelation to use wholesome herbs, which God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man–Every herb in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. The revelation counsels that grain is a dietary staple and that meat should be used sparingly, and that the meat should be from domesticated rather than from wild animals.

Then, at the end of that revelation a great promise is given by the Lord to whose who comply with it, namely—

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; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. 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.

Gramps