Warning!

By Judy Edwards

I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation (D&C 89:4).

If I keep my body clean and pure and habit-free,
I may in Father’s temple claim blessings promised me.
On resurrection morning, I’ll take my body bright
And in celestial glory forever live in light.

(Children’s Songbook, page 153.)

One of the great blessings we received when we came to earth was a physical body. It is so important that the Lord calls it a “temple of God.” (See 1 Cor. 3:17.) Because our bodies are holy, Heavenly Father wants us to take care of them. He knows that we can be happier, better people if we are healthy, and He knows that we face temptations to treat our bodies unwisely or take harmful things into them. For this reason He has told us of things that are good for our health, and things that are harmful. Much of this information is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89 [D&C 89]. This revelation is called the Word of Wisdom.

If we live the Word of Wisdom, we can enjoy the Spirit of the Lord. If we mistreat the temples of God—our bodies—we hurt ourselves not only physically but spiritually. We must obey the Word of Wisdom to be worthy to enter the temple and receive the special blessings that await us there.

Instructions: Color the pictures, then read each scripture and draw a line from the scripture reference to the picture that illustrates it.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young

1. D&C 89:9

2. D&C 89:10

3. D&C 89:12

4. D&C 89:8

5. D&C 89:7

6. D&C 89:16

Sharing Time Ideas

Invite children to fill an empty basket with actual natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, etc., or to draw pictures of them. Older children could try to match each specific food with a verse in Doctrine and Covenants 89 [D&C 89]. Younger children could use a puppet with a mouth that opens for good foods and closes for things that should not be taken into the body—or the children themselves could open/close their mouths.
Reading Doctrine and Covenants 89 [D&C 89], help each child make a Word of Wisdom chart. (See Walk In His Ways manual A, pages 164, 166–167.) Point out that “hot drinks” refer to only tea and coffee (see Merrie Miss A manual, page 123).
Tell the story of Daniel and his friends eating plain food in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (see Dan. 1). Have the children dramatize or illustrate the story. List the similarities between the Word of Wisdom and the law of health that Daniel followed. Discuss the additional warnings that are given to us now.
Assign each class one of the following scriptures and have them read it, then lead a discussion about the health rule in it with the rest of the children: Doctrine and Covenants 89:8–9 [D&C 89:8–9], Doctrine and Covenants 59:16–20 [D&C 59:16–20]; Proverbs 20:1 [Prov. 20:1] and 23:20–21 [Prov. 23:20–21]; Doctrine and Covenants 89:8 [D&C 89:8]; Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 [D&C 89:9]; Doctrine and Covenants 89:12–13 [D&C 89:12–13].
Discuss how different kinds of bait are used in animal traps; how tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and harmful drugs are used to trap us; and how we can protect ourselves from such traps.
Sing “The Word of Wisdom” (Children’s Songbook, page 154). Using it and Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21 [D&C 89:18–21], talk about blessings received when we obey the Word of Wisdom.