Posted by:
SpongeBob SquareGarments
(
)
Date: November 09, 2011 02:20PM
Not strict until 20th century:
The LDS Church didn‘t adopt a strict adherence to the Word of Wisdom until well into the 20th century. Consider this statement from John Taylor in 1886:
"The Word of Wisdom as originally given was sent not by commandment or constraint, but … for the temporal salvation of all Saints in these days‖ … [N]o rule has been formulated, nor law proclaimed, nor counsel given since that time which makes its strict observance necessary to receive ordinances … in the temples."‖(The Development of LDS Temple Worship, Devery Anderson, pg 61)
Check out this interesting essay by Jim Whitfield on the WOW:
http://www.mormonthink.com/wow.htm