The Lord has told us through the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life, through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” [D&C 130:19.]
No man who breaks the Word of Wisdom can gain the same amount of knowledge and
intelligence in this world as the man who obeys that law. I don’t care who he is or where he comes from, his mind will not be as clear, and he cannot advance as far and as rapidly and retain his power as much as he would if he obeyed the Word of Wisdom. (TEACHINGS: HEBER J. GRANTCHAPTER 21: OBSERVING THE WORD OF WISDOm)
Do not drink wine nor strong drink:Lev. 10:9;
Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging:Prov. 20:1;
Strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it:Isa. 24:9;
Daniel would not defile himself with the king’s meat and wine:Dan. 1:8;
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy:1 Cor. 3:16–17;
Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God:1 Cor. 6:10; ( Gal. 5:21; )
Whoso forbiddeth that man should not eat meats is not ordained of God:D&C 49:18–21;
All things which come of the earth are to be used with judgment, not to excess:D&C 59:20;
The Lord counseled the Saints to not use wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks:D&C 89:1–9;
Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals:D&C 89:10–17;
Obedience to the Word of Wisdom brings temporal and spiritual blessings:D&C 89:18–21;
President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught:
“Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions, the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body. That is why the Word of Wisdom is so important.
“The habit-forming substances prohibited by that revelation—tea, coffee, liquor, tobacco—interfere with the delicate feelings of spiritual communication, just as other addictive drugs will do.
“Do not ignore the Word of Wisdom, for that may cost you the ‘great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures’ [D&C 89:19] promised to those who keep it. And good health is an added blessing” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 78; or Ensign,Nov. 1994, 61).
"A strong human spirit with control over appetites of the flesh is master over emotions and passions and not a slave to them. That kind of freedom is as vital to the spirit as oxygen is to the body! Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation!"
—Russell M. Nelson, "Decisions for Eternity"
