KnoWhy #321 - How Does The Book Of Mormon Help Explain The Origins Of The Word Of Wisdom? (Alma 55:16)

On February 27, 1833, Joseph Smith received the revelation that would become Doctrine and Covenants 89, the Word of Wisdom. The revelation warned against tobacco and alcohol consumption, as had many other religious groups of the day. However, the Book of Mormon shows that the Word of Wisdom was not only a response to Joseph’s own time and place but also drew on more ancient doctrine. The Book of Mormon contains passages warning against drunkenness and reflects the Old Testament’s teachings on the topic. So when the Lord spoke out against alcohol again in the 1830s, one can see this as following ancient truth through to its logical conclusion to address issues that were common at the time.