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; see also Tambulilit, October 1993, page 12.)

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 to take harmful things into them. For this reason he has told us of things that are good for our health, and of things that are harmful. Much of this information is found in Doctrine and Covenants 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 also spiritually. We must obey the Word of Wisdom to be worthy to enter the temple—the house of the Lord—and receive the special blessings that await us there.

Instructions

Color the pictures on the next page. Read each scripture, then draw the correct symbol in the box next to the scripture. The empty circle represents things that are good for us, and the warning symbol (a circle with a bar through it) represents things we should not eat or use. For example, Doctrine and Covenants 89:16 says, “All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground,” so you should draw an empty circle in the box next to that scripture.

Illustrated by Julie F. Young

O Ø
	1 D&C 89:7
	2 D&C 49:19
	3 D&C 89:8
	4 2 Ne. 15:22
	5 D&C 89:12
	6 D&C 89:9
	7 Gen. 1:29
	8 D&C 89:10–11

Answers:

Sharing Time Ideas

Invite the 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. 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.
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.
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.” (See Children’s Songbook, page 154; see also Sing With Me, page B-41.) Using the song and Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21 [D&C 89:18–21], talk about blessings received when we obey the Word of Wisdom.