Posted on by johnc

PETA billboards and Word of Wisdom

At this posting, Judah holds a very slight lead with 3 votes. Personally, I think that’s a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease… at any rate, on to today’s topic of contenti…er discussion.

Anyone see those LDS-oriented PETA billboards a year or so ago in Utah? The ones quoting D&C 89 about eating “…meat sparingly, only in times of cold or famine”? Those actually got me thinking. We (Americans) eat meat a lot, all year long. No recent famines to my knowledge. And yet we (Mormons) seem to just completely skip over this advice in the Word of Wisdom. I’ve asked people about this, and I can barely get the question out of my mouth when they start hollering at me “D&C says vegetarianism is not from God!” Well, no, that’s not what the Lord says. He says PREACHING vegetarianism as a commandment is not from God. But in the WoW he also says it is pleasing unto him that meat not be used, only in times of cold or famine. Why doesn’t anyone (except PETA) holler about that verse? Anyway, being as it’s neither cold now nor faminous (I love inventing words) I opted for vegetarianism for the summer at least, with only minor villification from friends and church members.

So… whaddya think? Is a veggie lifestyle Satan’s secret plan to destroy us? Or do we consume way more hamburger than was ever intended?

11 Replies to “PETA billboards and Word of Wisdom”

  1. do we consume way more hamburger than was ever intended? In a word, yes. But they’re sooooo yummy, which is why we’re all going to hell (or be reincarnated as cows). Posted by Ronan

  2. It should be noted that D&C 89 does not have an all-inclusive ban on meat. Verse 12 specifically says flesh of beasts and flying fowl. No mention of fish, seafood, or fowl that cannot fly.I don’t see how anyone can eat as much ground beef as is consumed. That must be the worst-tasting kind of meat. Posted by Kim Siever

  3. You’re absolutely right, Kim. And I should have mentioned that while I gave up red meat and poultry, I have continued to eat fish, eggs, and dairy products during my summertime experiment.

  4. We’ve discussed that one before, and my wife thinks that “times of cold” means the winter. Not that we’ve let it impact us much in the summer.Now, I realize that we haven’t had a lot of updates to the Word of Wisdom (I remember a clarification that hot drinks means coffee and tea; hot chocolate and barley drinks are okay) – but I would wonder whether this sparing meat comes from the times it was delivered. (This is not my area, so feel free to smash my hypothesis upon the sharp rocks of truth.) My mom has certainly told me I need to eat less red meat – bad for your stomach. I’ve tried avoiding it, but it’s hard!  If I had to cut out chicken, too… I think I’m beginning to feel faint…Now, if you want to talk about a lifestyle that is anti-veggie, consider the Atkins Diet. Look at all the fast food restaurants that cater to it – low carb wraps or lettuce wrapped hamburgers. Mmmmm, Brazilian churrascos – they can’t be evil, can they? Posted by FaithHopeLove

  5. I really believe that section of 89 was meant for the time in which it was revealed. Like the line about washing our bodies in alcohol (vs. 7). We don’t do that, either…so should we?? Should we refuse any treatment for bruises or other things like that…except for tobacco (vs. 8)? I don’t think absolutely everything in the WoW is intended for us right now. Maybe in the future it will be necessary, but not at the moment. So long as we steer clear of the liquor and the coffee and most of the tea, I think we should be alright. If the Lord were angry with us about our meat consumption, I would say something would be revealed about it. But it’s hasn’t been…to my knowledge.I don’t think vegetarians or even vegans for the sake of their interpretation of the WoW are wrong…I just think they’re being too letter-of-the-law about it. ~~

  7. Like the line about washing our bodies in alcohol (vs. 7). We don’t do that, either…so should we?? Well, we use isopropyl, or rubbing alchohol for cleansing wounds, and ethyl alcohol, which is in drinks, probably has similar properties.If the Lord were angry with us about our meat consumption, I would say something would be revealed about it. But it’s hasn’t been…to my knowledge.I’d consider these verses in the D&C to be revelation from the Lord on the subject. However, 1) I don’t think He’s ANGRY, I just think He’s stating what the rules are, and 2) You are correct in that no prophet has really said much on the subject SINCE the time of Joseph Smith. At least, not that I’ve seen.

  8. If the Lord were angry with us about our meat consumption, I would say something would be revealed about itWell, but that’s not always the way things work, is it? Isn’t the usual way for new revelation to come about simply to ask about it? Maybe it should be considered more important that it isn’t a big enough deal for any modern prophets to have asked about it. Personally, since I do eat meat pretty regularly, I am willing to let sleeping cows lie.Incidentally, I don’t recall having seen any of these PETA billboards out here. Is it possible you’re confusing them with the Chick-Fil-A billboards? (Eat more chikin) =)

  9. “Should we refuse any treatment for bruises or other things like that…except for tobacco (vs. 8)”Verse eight does not state we should refuse all bruise treatments but tobacco use. Posted by Kim Siever

  11. Ok, now that I’ve seen the link to the PETA billboard, I just have to say… that’s a brilliant  ad campaign! I mean, seriously, someone in their marketing program deserves some kudos for coming up with that. Much better than whoever came up with caffeiene-free Mountain Dew – why would you drink it if it didn’t have caffeine? Mountain D’ewwwww. Now, if they’d just make a caffeine-free version of Coke Zero, I’d be set. (Caffeiene irritates my stomach. I’m sure Dr. Bob would have something to say about carbonated drinks in general.)  Posted by FaithHopeLove

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