Thoughts of the Morning

This morning during my study time I was reading the Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 which is the Word of Wisdom section but I was thinking that there has to be more to this than just a physical law.  Most commandments are, I learned in the last few years. So then I pulled out the Seminary lessons for that section and studied the section with a little different perspective.  I found within that lesson material some quotes that totally fit with what I was thinking about.  Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, in 1990...

"All of God's commandments, including the Word of Wisdom, are spiritual.  We need to nourish ourselves spiritually even more than physically."

President Boyd K. Packer said this in April Conference of 1996 ~ 

"Surely the Word of Wisdom was given so that you may keep the delicate, sensitive, spiritual part of your nature on proper alert.  Learn to 'listen' to your feelings.  You will be guided and warned and taught and blessed". 

And...

"In addition to health there is a greater blessing promised in the Word of Wisdom.  Those who obey it are promised that they 'shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures' (D&C 89:19).  This is the personal revelation through which you can detect temptations or other dangers".  

He also said in 1989 ~ 

"Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit.  In that marvelous revelation the Word of Wisdom, we are told how to keep our bodies free from impurities which might dull, even destroy, those delicate physical senses which have to do with spiritual communication.

"The Word of Wisdom is a key to individual revelation.  It was given as 'a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saint' (D&C 89:3)

"...If we abuse our body...we draw curtains which close off the light of spiritual communication" (Nov. 1989 Ensign)

That rang true in my heart and mind.  When we fail to follow the Word of Wisdom - or any commandment for that matter we close the door to spiritual communication ~ when we are disobedient the spirit withdraws for a time and we aren't able to hear what Heavenly Father wants to tell us.  

Elder Russel M. Nelson said ~

"If you yield to anything that can addict, and thus defy the Word of Wisdom, your spirit surrenders to the body.  The flesh then enslaves the spirit.  This is contrary to the purpose of your mortal existence...As you develop courage to say no to alcohol, tobacco, and stimulants, you gain additional strength.  You can then refuse conspiring men - those seditious solicitors of harmful substances or smut.  You can reject their evil enticements to your body." (The Power within Us)

So here are some of my thoughts about this after pondering what I read.  I think this section is about addicting things - whatever that is in my life ~ food, the computer, idleness ~ things that create in me a sense of unrest and definitely not peace then my spirit surrenders to the body and I shut myself off from the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost.  It makes sense.  When I give in to some of those flaws that I am addicted to and/or struggle with - like food, internet surfing or just plain idleness then I am shutting myself off from the spirit.  Will those things keep me out of heaven?  Probably not but it is the little things that can lead to the larger things and cause total disobedience.  

I will continue to ponder this lesson of this morning especially these words from Elder Nelson ~ "If you yield to anything that can addict, your spirit surrenders to the body.  The flesh then enslaves the spirit".  And then we draw curtains which close off the light of spiritual communication.  

The early Saints exhibited faith by obeying this revelation without knowing all the reasons why.  That is the key to the gospel I think.  Even if we do not understand all the reasons for a commandment, the Lord will bless us when we obey.  And when we obey then we see more clearly the reasons for the commandment.  

Today I'm grateful for study time and new insights and greater understanding of those things I need to change in my life to become the person I need to be.