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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.

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—

• Because he loves us!
• Example of a mother
  • Does a mom tell a child not to touch a hot stove to control?
  • She does it because she wants to save the child pain
  • Same with God!
• New Era September 97 Q&A
• We have lots of rules as missionaries
  • To protect us
  • Because they love us
  • This is the best mission because of the strictness of it

• If we love God we will obey them (John 14:15)
• If we obey then God will bless us
  • In fact he dares us to obey!
  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

  • The more obedient we are the more blessings we get
    • These blessings don't always show up right away
• Blessings of D&C 89
  • Apply to more then just WOW
  • Vs. 18-21

    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;

    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.