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Latter Day Saint Vegetarian Authors: Joyce Kinmont's Testimony
The Word of Wisdom - My Testimony
Joyce Kinmont
The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89) begins "the order and will of God, and ends "the destroying angel shall pass by." It proposes a diet of fruits, vegetables, and grains and promises health and hidden treasures of knowledge. It warns about "conspiring men," and teaches that the Lord would be pleased if we eat animal flesh "only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."

Hyrum Smith, who held joint Presidency with Joseph and possessed the same keys, said, "and why to be used in famine? Because all domesticated animals would naturally die, and may as well be made use of by man, as not." And he also said the Word of Wisdom is "one of the engines to....remove the beastly appetites, the murderous dispositions and the vitiated taste of man, to restore his body to health and vigor, and to promote peace between him and the brute creation."

I do not know what the Lord had in mind in His warming to the Shakers in D&C 49:18, but I have no trouble understanding the admonition in verse 21: "And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need" or the one in JSTGen 9:11: "And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands."

I believe the Lord expected the early Saints - who constantly faced hunger and upheaval - to eat animals; but clearly there has always been a higher vision. Considering the diseases naturally passed to humans from animals, the last- days plagues, also transmitted by animals, that are frequently in the news, the increasing levels of chemical residues in animal foods, the inhumane treatment of animals, the variety of plant-based foods now available, and in my desire to please the Lord, it seems unwise and unnecessary for me to eat animal products.


Brigham Young: When men live to the age of a tree, their food will be fruit.

If the people were willing to receive the true knowledge from heaven in regard to their diet they would cease eating swine's flesh. I know this as well as Moses knew it.

Apostle George Q. Cannon: We are told that flesh of any kind is not suitable to man in the summertime, and ought to be eaten sparingly in the winter.

Lorenzo Snow. 5th President: thought the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood.

Joseph F. Smith. 6th President: I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he 'needs" them for food....Love of nature is akin to the love of God...

Heber J. Grant. 7thPresident: ...during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel I have not, with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind... l have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health.

George Albert Smith. 8th President: In the summer he eats no meat, and even in the winter months he eats very little.

David 0. McKay. 9th President: The man was beating it unmercifully. Brother Kimball tuned to these brethren and said, 'brethren, that horse will demand justice of that man some time and will get it. He is making himself a debtor to that animal. "... We may have to slay animals for food and other legitimate reasons, when it is absolutely necessary; but when it is done it should be done with as little pain to the animal as possible.

Joseph Fielding Smith. 10th President: My husband doesn't eat meat [but rather] lots of fruit and vegetables. 
(Jessie Evans Smith)
Spencer W Kimball. 12th President. sang:
That the children may live long,
And be beautiful and strong,
Tea and coffee and tobacco they despise,
Drink no liquor, and they eat
But a very little meat;
They are seeking to be great and good and wise.
    (Hymn #307, In Our Lovely Deseret, by Eliza R. Snow, wife of two Prophets, sister of a third)
I still don't eat very much meat

Ezra Taft Benson. 13th President: We need a generation of young people who, as Daniel, eat in a more healthy manner than to fare on the "kings meat" - and whose countenances show it.

But what needs additional emphasis are the positive aspects... the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat... We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner.

In general, the more food we eat in its natural state and the less it is refined without additives, the healthier it will be for us.

Gordon B. Hincklev. 15th President: It proscribes alcohol and tobacco, tea and coffee, and emphasizes the use of fruit and grains. This Word of Wisdom came to us from the God of Heaven, for our blessing. I regret that we as a people do not observe it more faithfully.

I thank the Lord for a testimony of the Word of Wisdom. I wish we lived it more fully, but even though we do not, the Lord pours out his blessing on those who try.

many above quotes from 
THE WORD OF WiSDOM FOOD PLAN by Kenneth E. Johnson. M.D.
More from Joyce Kinmont, President, LDS Home Education Association LDSHEA.org, and Book: Diet Decisions for Latter Day Saints
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