Saturday, October 27, 2012

Clean vs. Unclean




Clean vs. Unclean
I choose to do my assignment on Choice 1: Clean vs. Unclean. I completed the assignment by doing it as a blog post because I think it would be a good missionary tool to upload my thought and beliefs about the church and hopefully peak the interest of my non-member friends and family. I really liked writing this blogpost because for the last couple years I have been really interested in health and the Word of Wisdom. It would have been better if I had put in some scientific statistics. That may have gotten the attention of some of my non-member friends. I wasn’t sure though if that would take away from the spiritual side of the post. If you want to go to my blogpost it is at or I also pasted it down below:

In Leviticus 11:1-30 we read about the dietary laws the Lord puts in place for the children of Israel.  The law basically breaks down animals into two distinct classes, clean animals and unclean animals.  The unclean animals are what Israel was warned not to eat, whereas the clean animals were approved for Israel to consume. Here is a breakdown of the clean and unclean animals:

Clean Animals
Animals that have parted hoof, clovenfooted, and chews cud
Animals of the water with fins and scales
Locust, beetle, grasshopper

Unclean Animals
Camels, coney, hare (all chew cud but do not have a parted hoof)
Swine (divided hoof but does not chew cud)
Sea animals without fins or scales
Fowl of the air
Fowls that creep on all fours
Flying creeping things
Weasel, mouse, tortoise, ferret, chameleon, lizard, snail, and mole

 “God was using the diet as a teaching tool. People may forget or neglect prayer, play, work, or worship, but they seldom forget a meal.” (Old Testament Study Guide) The Lord put in place strict dietary laws to help remind His followers of their dedication and devotion to Him. There were of course practical reasons for the dietary laws, but they served a more important reason than this. The Lord’s followers had to make a conscious decision each time they ate to either follow the Lord’s directions or not. This thought process helped bring the people to remembrance of their Lord and their commitment to follow Him. 

The scriptures in Leviticus are an ancient dietary law that the Lord put in place for Israel. We too have dietary restrictions put in place for us to remind us of our commitment to the Lord and to keep us healthy. If we read in D&C 89, we will find our own dietary laws which are combined into what is now called the Word of Wisdom. Here is a breakdown of what is considered okay and what is not:

Okay for consumption
Wholesome Herbs (in season)
Fruit (in season)
Flesh of beasts and fowl of the air (eaten sparingly)
Grain

Not okay for consumption
Wine or strong drink (including coffee and tea)
Tobacco

Some may question why it is so important that we follow the Lords direction on what we should and should not consume. I know in my own life I have questioned it before. We have to realize that these laws have more to do with the spiritual end of things then the physical. Yes, there are physical benefits from following the Word of Wisdom and we are seeing scientific proof of that more and more each day. The greater part of the Word of Wisdom has to do with spiritual preparation and control over the natural man. In our day there are so many temptations around us. By refusing to consume certain foods/substances, we are showing the Lord the respect we have for the body He has given to us and our remembrance of Him and His commandments. We are also promised a great blessing if we follow the Lord’s Word of Wisdom. We “shall receive health in their navel and marrow in their bones…find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge…run and not be weary…walk and not faint…I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that the destroying angel shall pass by them.”

I know that the Word of Wisdom will benefit our life if we follow its guidelines. I know I need to do better at following it more closely. I am quick to remember not to drink or smoke, but many times I eat meat too often or eat things not in season. The more I study health related issues, I am seeing the benefits of eating food in their seasons and eating meat sparingly. I have made it a goal in my life to make sure I focus more on those two things so that I can show the Lord my devotion to Him and His commandments. I may not understand why all of these items are necessary, but I know in the end that they will bless my life and eventually I will gain knowledge and testimony of their importance.

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