Decide Once, Decide Now

Look for why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom

4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

Doctrine & Covenants 89:4

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and other substances are not only harmful to our bodies, they cause great amounts of misery to the users, and people around them.  But if that wasn’t enough, it seems there is conspiracy and evil behind how these things are marketed. Tobacco and alcohol companies have been repeatedly sued for advertising to youth and manipulating their products to produce greater dependence. Perhaps it is motivated by greed, but these things are not by accident.

So when is the best time to decide not to ever touch these products? At the moment when you are tempted?  How often should you decided?  Every time there is a new temptation? President Spencer W Kimball taught, “Develop discipline of self so that, more and more, you do not have to decide and redecide what you will do when you are confronted with the same temptation time and time again.  You need only to decide some things once.  How great a blessing it is to be free of agonizing over and over again regarding a temptation” (President Kimball Speaks Out, Deseret Book Co., 1981, p. 94). 

Today’s Takeaway: You might want to write in your scriptures by D&C 89:4, “Decide Once, Decide Now”.  Decide today how you will live the Word of Wisdom.  If the common aspects of the Word of Wisdom are not a temptation for you, think of ways that you can eat and live more healthy.