Standard of Truth Podcast

S5B7 Kristy’s KorneЯ – D&C 89 Part 2

Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Date: August 21, 2025

Overview:

This episode continues the exploration of the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine & Covenants 89), tracing its historical interpretation and enforcement from its 1833 revelation through its gradual institutional adoption as a binding commandment in the Latter-day Saint tradition. Dr. Dirkmaat delves into changing disciplinary approaches, evolving church policy, practical lived experiences by members and leaders—including Joseph Smith and Brigham Young—and reflects on the spiritual and communal significance of adherence to this health code today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Church Disciplinary Practices

[00:28–05:41]

• In early LDS history, disciplinary methods were stark: excommunication was the primary option for persistent sin, including habitual drunkenness.
• Church councils and varied responses came later; there was no probation or disfellowshipment—members were simply in or out.
• Example: A man was excommunicated for repeatedly falling asleep in meetings—a reminder of the sometimes severe discipline.
• Violating the Word of Wisdom (WoW) could result in excommunication, but only “flagrant abuses,” usually habitual drunkenness.
  • Quote [01:42]: “One way that the Word of Wisdom’s interpretation was different is that you could be cut off from the church for flagrant abuses… even though it wasn’t a binding commandment, there was always this sense that drunkenness, habitual drunkenness, is wrong, that drinking alcohol is acceptable. Getting drunk is not.”
• Today, it is very rare for someone to be excommunicated for WoW alone unless also teaching false doctrine (apostasy).
  • Quote [04:42]: “In today’s church, it’s pretty hard to be excommunicated for violating the Word of Wisdom… you’d have to be trying to teach people that the Word of Wisdom isn’t really a revelation from God.”

Regional and Interpretive Variation

[05:41–14:30]

• Attitudes toward WoW differed by locale; some members/communities viewed it far more strictly than others.
• Hyrum Smith was particularly noted for his zealous advocacy for strict observance; Brigham Young commented on Hyrum’s focus.
  • Quote [07:23]: “Hyrum Smith could talk about the word of wisdom for three hours. He felt very strongly about it. But in general, it is not a defining characteristic of the church [in Joseph Smith’s day].”
• Brigham Young, speaking forcefully, targeted drunkenness rather than moderate alcohol use.
  • Brigham Young Quote [09:28]: “If I could, I would command you, elders of Israel, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to cease getting drunk… deal with men that will make a practice of getting drunk. And if they don’t stop it, cut them off from the church. Why? Because God has no fellowship with them.”

Symbolism and Covenant

[13:30–16:20]

• WoW as a marker of covenant identity, but not an indicator of someone’s total righteousness.
• Only Latter-day Saints are under covenant to avoid these substances; outsiders are not judged by LDS standards.
  • Quote [14:55]: “It would be like a Jewish person seeing me eat bacon and not just think, well, I don’t do that because God commanded me not to, but think that I’m an evil person because I’m eating it.”

The “Hot Drinks” Controversy and Ongoing Revelation

[16:20–27:30]

• “Hot drinks” (D&C 89:9) were debated—tea and coffee’s prohibition was clarified repeatedly by leaders like Brigham Young.
  • Brigham Young Quote 1867 [19:31]: “Tea and coffee is not mentioned in the word of Wisdom, but hot drinks. As if this doesn’t refer directly, perfectly, absolutely, definitely and truly to that which we drank hot… what did we drink hot? Tea and coffee.”
• The progression to stricter WoW observance reflected ongoing revelation, leadership emphasis, and eventual move to “test of fellowship” (requirement for temple recommend and leadership).
  • Brigham Young Quote 1869 [22:32]: “If they do not [stop using tobacco, drinking whiskey], we will soon make it a test of fellowship in the church. You should keep the word of wisdom.”

Institutionalization and Modern Codification

[27:30–34:16]

• By the early 1900s, WoW observance becomes expected for leadership roles; by 1933, it is required for temple recommends and full fellowship.
• The 2019 church statement reiterated the WoW covers modern substances (vaping, green tea, e-cigarettes, etc.), emphasizing continuing revelation.
  • Quote [31:09]: “The Word of Wisdom is a living document... being interpreted by prophetic utterance today for members to keep.”

Joseph Smith’s Personal Practice

[38:39–45:29]

• Contrary to popular LDS belief, Joseph Smith did at times drink alcohol and tea, even after receiving the Revelation.
  • Joseph’s Journal [41:18]: “Joseph comes down and said he had tea with his breakfast… if it had been a little stronger, he would have liked it better.”
  • Joseph’s Journal [44:00]: “Drank a glass of beer at Mosers, which is a tavern in Nauvoo.”
• This challenges some cultural assumptions but reflects the early understanding: moderation was key, and the revelation was not immediately binding.
• Antagonists may use this history to undermine faith, but LDS doctrine anticipates evolving interpretation through continuing revelation.
  • Quote [45:36]: “Our tendency is always to assume that the way things are right now is the way things have always been. The odd part about that is we all know that we belong to a church that believes in continuing revelation… the very fact of believing in continuing revelation means there are things we are going to believe tomorrow that we don’t believe today.”

John Taylor’s Martyrdom Account and the Sacrament Myth

[47:00–50:27]

• John Taylor, present with Joseph at Carthage Jail, clarifies that the wine consumed was “no such thing” as sacrament, but simply wine to revive spirits—a direct correction of later justifications.
  • Taylor’s Account [48:01]: “It was no such thing. Our spirits were generally dull and heavy and it was sent to revive us. We all drank of the wine and gave some to one or two of the prison guards.”
• This discredits the myth of a proto-modern WoW observance in the martyrdom account and illustrates attempts to project present-day practice onto the past.

Promises of the Word of Wisdom—Spiritual Outcomes

[51:24–59:48]

• Dr. Dirkmaat shares Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s reflection: growing up in Germany, he followed the WoW but saw no immediate temporal (physical) advantage as a youth, questioning the promised blessings.
  • Quote, Uchtdorf [52:53]: “Wait a minute. Aren’t I supposed to be able to run and not be weary? But I was weary, and I was overtaken and passed by people who were definitely not following the Word of Wisdom. I confess it troubled me at the time.”
  • Quote, Uchtdorf [54:40]: “God’s promises are not always fulfilled as quickly as or in the way that we might hope… Looking back, I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain.”
• Dr. Dirkmaat testifies the greatest “hidden treasure of knowledge” (D&C 89:19) gained from WoW observance is personal revelation—knowledge of Christ, the Restoration, and Heavenly assurance, not necessarily physical longevity.
  • Personal Reflection [58:30]: “Much of [my testimony] I can attribute to the fact that I’ve kept the Word of Wisdom as I’ve understood it… one of the great treasures of knowledge that I’ve received… is that I’ve had the Holy Spirit of God speak to me and tell me these things are true, which is far more precious than anything.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Changing Standards:
  • “There is a vast great difference between someone actively attempting to deceive and someone making an assumption that actually could be readily revised…” [46:54]
• On Continuity and Revelation:
  • “When you’re led by a prophet and continuing revelation, there will always be something different… that doesn’t make today wrong and it doesn’t make yesterday even worse.” [45:50]
• On LDS Cultural Markers:
  • “Every one of us knows—you’re traveling somewhere… you hear the waiter come up, ‘Would you like a wine list?’ and the person says, ‘Oh, no thanks, we don’t drink alcohol.’ Your ears perk up and you think… she probably is a Mormon.” [36:34]
• Symbolism:
  • “In much the same way, the marking of the blood on the door was a marker of who is following God’s prophet on earth today. Latter Day Saints do the same thing with their adherence to the Word of Wisdom…” [37:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:28 — Early church disciplinary practice: excommunication and how it relates to WoW.
• 05:41 — Local variation and zeal for WoW in early church; Hyrum Smith and Brigham Young quotes.
• 13:30 — WoW as a marker, not an absolute measure of righteousness.
• 16:20 — The “hot drinks” debate; Brigham Young clarifies WoW, 1867–1869.
• 27:30 — Institutionalization in the 20th century; modern codification (1933, 2019).
• 38:39 — Joseph Smith’s leg operation story and historical practice.
• 41:18 — Joseph Smith’s journal evidence of tea/beer consumption.
• 47:00 — John Taylor’s martyrdom account and misunderstanding about the sacrament.
• 51:24 — Elder Uchtdorf’s German youth experience and the question of WoW’s promised blessings.
• 58:30 — Dr. Dirkmaat’s personal testimony of the spiritual outcomes of WoW.

Tone and Style

Dr. Dirkmaat blends humor, candor, and reverence, drawing on historical anecdotes, personal experiences, and scriptural analysis to connect the historical trajectory of the Word of Wisdom to the lived experience of modern Latter-day Saints. He is conversational, self-deprecating, and intent on demystifying both historical minutiae and doctrinal development for a faith-building purpose.

Conclusion

Dr. Dirkmaat emphasizes that the Word of Wisdom is firstly a covenantal sign of following living prophets, rather than a guarantee of physical superiority or a club to judge others. Its gradual development into a binding commandment reflects not only the reality of continuing revelation but also God’s patience in preparing His people for higher standards. The ultimate promised blessing is greater light, knowledge, and the sustaining presence of the Spirit. Obedience, especially in the absence of immediate explanation, becomes itself an act of faith and deepened discipleship.

“Whether they make us ridiculously more healthy or whether they don’t, it’s really immaterial. What matters is do we obey?” [59:14]