The following is an exerpt from an article from the blog In the Shadow of His Hand.

 

In section 89 there is actually only one commandment given and that is that we are not to command others pertaining to how they eat or drink.

A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—“

To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—“ (Doctrine and Covenants 89:1-2 emphasis added)

Great Evil

What many also miss is that Section 89 contains a prophecy but I first must explain what “evil” means. This comes from my book, End Time Servants Yet to Come:

{When I think of evil, I think of Satan. Let’s define why Satan is evil:

  “And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying— Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”

“But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me— Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

“Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;” (Moses 4:1-3 Emphasis added)

Yes, evil has to do with captivity, force and control. It is wrong and evil to take the agency of others away. If you search the scriptures you will find that captivity and evil are very much connected. Here are some examples if you wish to research this subject:

In Helaman 11:33-34 you will see that the Gadianton robbers took away captives into the wilderness. How was this act described? “Now this GREAT EVIL….”

In Alma 19:18-19 When Lamoni had fallen to the ground prostrate, along with his whole family unable to move after being taught by Ammon the people described him in that state as having a GREAT EVIL come upon them”

Once again in Mosiah 7:25 it describes the CAPTIVITY of Limhi’s people as a GREAT EVIL.”

In D&C 101 there is a parable/ prophecy about the Lord giving a vineyard for his servants to care for along with commandments to build up a watch tower and watch for the enemy which instead they give the money to the exchangers and focus on making money. What happens is the enemy comes and takes the vineyard captive. The Lord’s response, “Why! what is the cause of this GREAT EVIL?”

There is a theme here. So much throughout the scriptures “GREAT EVIL” is spoken of when there is CAPTIVITY or in other words when someone loses their freedom. Taking away others’ agency is evil. It is satanic.“}

Prophecy Fulfilled

When we understand that evil is controlling and puts people in captivity it really adds to what we can understand from section 89:

“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 and Covenants 89:4 emphasis added)

So in accordance with the definition found in the scriptures that evil is controlling and about captivity there will be “evil” designs to take away and control people not to partake of what the Lord recommends in this section. Remember the only commandment that was given with this section was that we are not to command. He forewarns us. There are those that have prohibited others from using certain herbs. Those who prohibit are evil according to the Lord.

Again to show this let’s examine verse 17:

barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.” (emphasis added)

I’ve gone up to several people and asked, “What are mild barley drinks?” Nearly every time I am told that they are “beer.” Also drinks from other grains too… I am grateful that it isn’t a commandment to drink beer but a recommendation. It smells horrible to me and I don’t have a desire to try it.

Let’s put this all together. Evil men, who will control will take away these things. This prophecy has been fulfilled in more than one way by controlling people from more than one organization. Perhaps we should consider the words in scriptures more than we do and discount those who are evil and controlling and look to the revelations of God.