“At the October semi-annual conference, President Anthon H. Lund spoke, in an interesting and emphatic way, upon the observance of the Word of Wisdom. At the close of President Lund’s remarks, and just before the close of the first session of the conference, President Joseph F. Smith said: “If I may be indulged just a moment: The reason, undoubtedly, why the Word of Wisdom is given as not ‘by commandment or restraint’ was that, at that time, at least, if it had been given as a commandment it would have brought every man addicted to the use of these noxious things under condemnation; so the Lord was merciful and gave them a chance to overcome before he brought them under the law. Later on, it was announced from this stand, by President Brigham Young, that the Word of Wisdom was a revelation and a command of the Lord. I desire to mention that fact, because I do not want you to feel that we are under no restraint. We do not want to come under condemnation.”
– Liahona, 2 December 1913
I have heard that quote before, but I have never understood the reasoning. From the day when Word of Wisdom was revealed to Joseph Smith, it took several years before Young pronounced it a command.
Yet today we expect that investigators will start fully obeying it in a short time in order to be baptized. They don’t get several years to adjust.
That is a keen insight, Niklas. Thanks.