At the April 1996 general conference, President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke of the revelation given on Feb. 27, 1833, that is recorded as Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants and known as the Word of Wisdom.

President Packer said that the Word of Wisdom put regulations on Church members that to this day apply to every member and to everyone who seeks to join the Church. "They are so compelling that no one is to be baptized into the Church without first agreeing to live by them. No one will be called to teach or to lead without accepting them. When you want to go to the temple, you will be asked if you keep the Word of Wisdom. If you do not, you cannot go to the house of the Lord until you are fully worthy. . . . There is something of colossal importance to justify the restrictions imposed by the Word of Wisdom. . . ."The Word of Wisdom was `given for a principle with promise.' (D&C 89:3.) That word principle in the revelation is a very important one. A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.

"Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. It's well known that tea, coffee, liquor, and tobacco are against it. It has not been spelled out in more detail. Rather, we teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation.

"Everything harmful is not specifically listed; arsenic, for instance - certainly bad, but not habit-forming! He who must be commanded in all things, the Lord said, `is a slothful and not a wise servant.' " (D&C 58:26.)

President Packer further said: "The Word of Wisdom is `adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints.' (D&C 89:3.) It is buttressed by other scriptures. They teach that the good things of the earth `are made for the benefit and the use of man, . . . yea, the Lord said, `for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul, . . . to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.' (D&C 59:18-20.)

"Learn to use moderation and common sense in matters of health and nutrition, and particularly in medication. Avoid being extreme or fanatical or becoming a faddist.

"For example, the Word of Wisdom counsels us to eat meat sparingly. (See D&C 89:12.) Lest someone become extreme, we are told in another revelation that `whoso forbiddeth to

eat meatT is not ordained of God.' (D&C 49:18.)

"Another scripture counsels, `Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; . . . cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.' (D&C 88:124.)

"Honor the principle of the Word of Wisdom, and you will receive the promised blessings. `All saints,' the revelation promises, `who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments,' are promised that they `shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones' and `shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.' (D&C 89:18, 20.)

"The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings."

President Packer said that those who obey the Word of Wisdom are promised "a greater blessing . . . that they `shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.' " (D&C 89:19.)