Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Friday, June 14, 2013

D&C 89

As I read the Lord's word or wisdom concerning our temporal salvation, I remembered the revelation concerning some of the teachings of the Shakers (49th Section).  The preface to the revelation stated -

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 1831. HC 1:167–169. (Some historical sources give the date of this revelation as May 1831.) Leman Copley had embraced the gospel, but still held to some of the teachings of the Shakers (United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing) to which he had formerly belonged. Some of the beliefs of the Shakers were that Christ's second coming had already occurred and he had appeared in the form of a woman, Ann Lee; baptism by water was not considered essential; the eating of pork was specifically forbidden, and many did not eat any meat; and a celibate life was considered higher than marriage. In prefacing this revelation, the Prophet wrote, "In order to have a more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following." The revelation refuted some of the basic concepts of the Shaker group. The aforementioned brethren took a copy of the revelation to the Shaker community (near Cleveland, Ohio) and read it to them in its entirety, but it was rejected." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 49:Heading)

Included in this meeting was the instruction concerning the Shakers belief concerning meat -

"...whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 49:18 - 19)

Understanding that, now consider the word of wisdom given concerning the eating of meats wherein the Lord said  -

"...flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 89:12 - 13)

I've wondered if again the Lord inserted this last verse in respect to some beliefs that meat should only be used in times of winter, or of cold,  or famine.  In these words the Lord inserts the negative "not" suggesting to me that anyone that teaches that meat should only be used in winter or famine is incorrect and may be eaten year round.