2.4 Thou Shalt Maybe

Mormons have interesting proscriptions. Some are more open to interpretation than others, and how they are interpreted has changed over our history. We look at the Word of Wisdom, rated R movies, and the Sabbath day as three examples. D&C 89: The Word of Wisdom https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89 Word of Wisdom gospel topic https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/word-of-wisdom Thomas G. Alexander, "The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 14:3 (1981) pp. 78–88. http://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V14N03_80.pdf Handbook 2 on Word of Wisdom (21.3.11) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/handbook-2-administering-the-church/selected-church-policies-and-guidelines/selected-church-policies “Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana,” New Era article, Aug 2019 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2019/08/vaping-coffee-tea-and-marijuana Eric’s Twitter conversation about green tea https://twitter.com/thmazing/status/1161372166127902720 Wow there is a lot of research about the comma in vs. 13 of the Word of Wisdom. This article especially is great: A. Jane Birch (2014). “Questioning the Comma in Verse 13 of the Word of Wisdom.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 10: 133-149 https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/questioning-the-comma-in-verse-13-of-the-word-of-wisdom/ Hello Internet episode including discussion of The Game Changers, a documentary “about plant-based eating, protein, and strength” http://www.hellointernet.fm/podcast/130 https://www.netflix.com/title/81157840 Kurzgesagt: Why Meat is the Best Worst Thing in the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxvQPzrg2Wg Word of Wisdom Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom To the “Youth of the Noble Birthright” - President Ezra Taft Benson, Spring 1986 General Conference, Priesthood session https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1986/04/to-the-youth-of-the-noble-birthright For the Strength of Youth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_Strength_of_Youth https://www.docdroid.net/eVNYkuG/1990-for-the-strength-of-youth-lds-standards-of-conduct.pdf#page=12 Gospel topic on the sabbath day https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/sabbath-day Decisions for Which I've Been Grateful by Clayton M. Christensen (specifically the fourth decision about basketball on Sunday) http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2004_06_08_Christensen.htm Kim Ho Jik: Korean Pioneer, by Denny Roy (starting with “Brother Kim also made a memorably bold statement of dedication to his faith..”) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1988/07/kim-ho-jik-korean-pioneer Church Updates Temple Recommend Interview Questions https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/october-2019-general-conference-temple-recommend