FAIR Topical Guide

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Additional Topics

The following are additional topic areas related to Word of Wisdom. If there is a bracket number after the topic, that number indicates how many actual articles there are related to that subject. If the link for the topic is not live, it simply means the topic is a 'planned area' for future growth.

FAIR Resources

These links are either to Web pages hosted on the FAIR Website, or to FAIR Papers. FAIR Papers are short articles about specific topics or questions, written by members of FAIR. These articles can be downloaded and read in PDF format and are intended to be distributed by e-mail or print for the general use of our patrons. (To read FAIR Papers you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. It can be downloaded free from the Adobe Web site.) Click on a title below to visit a FAIR Web page or to read the latest version of a FAIR Paper.

Suzanne Armitage, "The Word of Wisdom, Caffeine, and Hypocrisy," (Mesa, Arizona: FAIR, February 2003) Since Mormons won't drink caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, is it hypocritical that they eat chocolate and drink hot chocolate, colas, and other sources of caffeine?

Michael R. Ash, "Up in Smoke: A Response to the Tanners' Criticism of the Word of Wisdom," (Mesa, Arizona: FAIR, August 2000) Do the Tanners' criticisms of the Word of Wisdom hold up under scrutiny? This in-depth analysis answers the question once and for all. (2000 FAIR Conference presentation.)

Lance Starr, "The Word of Wisdom," Mormonism 201 (Mesa, Arizona: FAIR) Lance investigates the claims made by McKeever and Johnson regarding the Word of Wisdom, its origin and early practice.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

The resources listed below are articles available in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. These links are to information not located on the FAIR Web site.

Joseph Lynn Lyon, "Alcoholic Beverages and Alcoholism," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 30-31

Joseph Lynn Lyon, "Coffee," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 289

Joseph Lynn Lyon, "Tea," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 1441

Joseph Lynn Lyon, "Tobacco," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 1482

Joseph Lynn Lyon, "Word of Wisdom," Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 1584-1585

Ensign Articles

These articles cited below provide information on the topic of this page. The Ensign is one of the official publications of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When you click on one of the article links below, you are whisked to the article found in the archives of the Church's Web site.

Harold G. Hillam, "Not for the Body," Ensign, August 2001, 18. Another look at the Word of Wisdom.

Dr. James Mason, "A century and a half ago, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned from the Lord that tobacco was not good for us. Since then, medical science has determined the same thing. How has society responded to this information?," Ensign, September 1986.

Mark J. Rowe, "Where can I find accurate information on nutrition that is not faddish or inconsistent with Word of Wisdom guidelines?," Ensign, February 1996.

Clifford J. Stratton, "Caffeine--The Subtle Addiction," Ensign, June 1988, 60.

Larry A. Tucker, "Tobacco Is Not for the Body," Ensign, June 1991, 71-72. New research continues to confirm the Word of Wisdom's prohibition against tobacco.

Robert E. Wells, "Observing the Word of Wisdom--Politely," Ensign, August 1983, 21. Dealing with the problem of protocol when entertaining and being entertained by those with standards different from our own.

Gordon Williams, "In keeping the Word of Wisdom, we are promised that we will "run and not be weary" (see D&C 89:20) and that we will enjoy good health. Since many who obey this law fall physically ill, are these promises mainly spiritual?," Ensign, August 1991.

Other Resources

The resources listed below are related items available on the Web that should be of interest. These links are to information not located on the FAIR Web site.

Leonard J. Arrington, "An Economic Interpretation of the Word of Wisdom," BYU Studies (1959), 1-10 How did it happen that the Latter-day Saints, once distinguished primarily by their group economic, political, and social activity, and by certain “peculiar” beliefs and practices, came to be noted, in this century, primarily for the non-use of liquor, tobacco, tea, and coffee? Certain evidence suggests that an important contributing factor was economic in nature. Economic interpretations are almost always inadequate and one-sided, but they frequently offer helpful insights into historical processes and their causation. This essay is presented, not as a “final” interpretation, but only as a contribution toward the understanding of a sensitive phase of Utah history that has seldom been studied.

Michael R. Ash, Was the Word of Wisdom Influenced by Environment and Not Practiced by Joseph and Brigham?.

Paul H. Peterson, "An Historical Analysis of the Word of Wisdom," (August 1972) In this BYU Mater's Thesis, Peterson explores the environment from which the Word of Wisdom arose and how it developed into a distinguishing characteristic of Mormon society.

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Last Updated September 28, 2008
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