Introduction

There are many sites that describe the Word of Wisdom and explain the significance of this Revelation. Nutritional Science is a relatively new discipline. In the 1830's, when this revelation was given, nutrition science didn't exist. This revelation is the first documented full nutritional guidance for humans. Nutritional Science is still continuing to confirm the guidance that was given in the Word of Wisdom. The more recent, notable studies are on the "studies" pages.

• 1816 - Magendie published some basic nutritional value studies
• 1833 - Word of Wisdom given
• 1913 - Casimir Funk came up with idea of a "vital amine" in food (isolated in 1926 - thiamine)
• 1926 - The first vitamin was isolated and chemically defined
• 1943 - The USDA introduces the "Basic 7" food guide
• 1945 - The first degree in nutrition in any European university
• 1955 - HSPH researchers condense the Basic 7 food groups into a Basic Four, which the USDA subsequently adopts.
• By the mid-20th century all major vitamins had been isolated and synthesised
• 1992 - The Food Guide Pyramid is the USDA's first set of guidelines to include recommended servings for each of the food groups

One guidance in the Word of Wisdom is to use meat sparingly. It is to be used (consumed), but in smaller quantities - meaning that there is something in meat that is useful nutrition but also a component that is to be avoided. I assume this is the lean meat that is to be consumed and the fat (saturated fat) is to be avoided.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends aiming for a dietary pattern that achieves 5% to 6% of calories from saturated fat.

For example, if you need about 2,000 calories a day, no more than 120 of them should come from saturated fat.

That's about 13 grams of saturated fat per day. [AHA Reference]

This website provides practical recipes that are low in saturated fat and guidance on how to modify existing recipes to make them into a low fat recipe. The recipes provided all use lean meats (when meat is an ingredient) and are low in saturated fat. These recipes can be used to maintain a diet of eating 10g or less of saturated fat per day. Note: Unsaturated fats are good (and necessary in your diet) - also, when you start eating 10g or less of saturated fat per day, your digestive system will produce very "normal" stools and probiotics are not necessary to maintain digestive health.

SECTION 86 [LDS SECTION 89]

This revelation, now known as the Word of Wisdom, was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., to a conference of high priests assembled at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. It was described as "A word of wisdom for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church; and also, the Saints in Zion. To be sent greeting, not by commandment, or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom; showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all Saints in the last days. Given for a principle, with promise; adapted to the capacity of the weak, and the weakest of all Saints, who are or can be called Saints."

[Sec 86:1a] Behold, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation,
[Sec 86:1b] that inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold, it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together, to offer up your sacraments before him.
[Sec 86:1c] And behold, this should be wine; yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. And again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
[Sec 86:1d] And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises, and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
[Sec 86:1e] And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
[Sec 86:2a] And again, verily I say unto you, All wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man, every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof. All these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
[Sec 86:2b] Yea, flesh also, of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, hath ordained for the use of man, with thanksgiving. Nevertheless, they are to be used sparingly; and it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
[Sec 86:2c] All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man, but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; and these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
[Sec 86:3a] All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground.
[Sec 86:3b] Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls, and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals and for mild drinks and also other grain.
[Sec 86:3c] 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;
[Sec 86:3d] 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.

Other Word of Wisdom Sites:

• A World of Wisdom