Flesh

Permission to eat flesh is found in Gen. 9:3 and D&C 49:18–19 (see also 1 Tim. 4:1–3). JST Gen. 9:11 (Appendix) adds a caution against wasting flesh or needlessly killing animals. There is a prohibition against eating flesh of animals dying a natural death (Lev. 17:15; Deut. 14:21), partly because they would not have been properly bled. The flesh is often spoken of as being a part of our mortal or fallen nature (as in Matt. 26:41; Rom. 7:5, 14–23; 8:3; 1 Cor. 3:1–2; Eph. 2:3); as opposed to the Spirit (Rom. 8:5–9; Gal. 3:3; 5:17–25), and as needing to be overcome (Matt. 4:4; Rom. 8:7, 12–13; Gal. 5:17, 24; 6:8; Col. 2:11; 3:5; 1 Pet. 4:2; 1 Jn. 2:16–17). Since flesh often means “mortality,” Adam is spoken of as the “first flesh” upon the earth, meaning he was the first mortal on the earth, all things being created in a nonmortal condition and becoming mortal through the Fall of Adam. Jesus is the “Only Begotten of the Father” in the flesh, meaning He is the only one begotten of the Father into mortality (Moses 3:7). See also Fall of Adam and Eve.