Word of Wisdom

When the revelation was given on the word of wisdom (D&C 89) verses 1-3 were written as an introduction to the revelation.  The actual revelation started on verse 4.  Over the years there were varying degrees of adherence to the Word of Wisdom.  It took all the way though President Heber J. Grant's administration (1945)  to set the word of wisdom solidly in the lives of the saints.  It was in 1906 when the Church stopped using wine in the sacrament and started using water. 

The Lord did not make the Word of Wisdom a commandment at first.  As the Lord taught:

D&C  63:22
 22 And now, verily I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments.

Notice the Lord differentiates between his will and a commandment.  If the Lord would have made the Word of Wisdom a commandment from the beginning we would have lost too many members of the Church who were entrenched in the bad habits of the world. 

I think it is important to note that the Savior never said that he came to keep all of the commandments of the Father but rather he said,

John  5:30
 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

3 Ne  11:11
 11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

D&C  19:24
 24 I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.

As the Lord taught in D&C 58:26, ". . . it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."

If we truly love the Lord with all of our hearts, soul, mind, and strength (Deut. 6:5) and we know that our bodies are a gift from Him and that we are to keep them for the eternities then we would treat them accordingly.  If he gives us instruction on how to treat them how could be do anything else than to follow those instructions and honor the gift that he has given us.  To us it is as if it were a commandment because we know that it is His will and we love him and want to honor Him.  On top of all that we are promised wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, and even hidden treasures (D&C 89:19). 

It is interesting that in D&C 89:11 He tells us to use all of the foods with prudence. 

Definition of PRUDENCE

1

: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

2

: sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs

3

: skill and good judgment in the use of resources

4

: caution or circumspection as to danger or risk

If that were the case then no one would be overweight, addicted to anything, etc.  Our quality in our older life would be at a very high level.  However, many ignore the "prudence" counsel and misuse their bodies and then when they get sick and their bodies don't work right they blame God and wonder how He could let this happen to them.  You can almost hear Him answer back, "did you follow my instructions?"  But no, He is kind and works with them and helps them.  

When we stand back and take a look at the larger picture it is not too hard to figure out what the Lord wants for us to do and those who truly love Him have no problem bringing their lives in harmony with His will.