Dear Larmour,

To consider the topic of eating meat, we need to examine D&C Section 89 and other related scriptures very carefully. The kernel of the question is found in verses 12 and 13. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

In verse 12 we have the positive statement that the flesh of beasts and of the fowls of the air are ordained for the use of man, although they are to
be used sparingly. That does not sound like we should be vegetarians. Verse 13, as it is written, suggests that meat should not be used except in times of winter, cold or famine. The dependent clause, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine, appears as an exception to the verb by virtue of the comma following the word used.

It is rather interesting to note that this comma did not appear in the early editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. In fact it was first introduced in the edition dated 17 Dec. 1921, when the Doctrine and Covenants was first divided into columns. If we look at verse 13 as it
appeared before the 1921 edition, it reads And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

Now, instead of a dependent clause, the last phrase becomes the direct object of the sentence, with the intent that winter, cold or famine are not
the only times that they, the flesh of beasts and of the fowls of the air, should be used, but implying that they should be used at other seasons, as
well.

Now let's look at verses 14 and 15. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

Verse 14 says that grain is ordained for the use of man, the beasts of the field, the fowls of heaven and all wild animals. And in verse 15, And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

The antecedent of the pronoun, these, could refer to the entire phrase-- beasts, fowls and wild animals-- or it could refer only to the latter--
wild animals, since beasts and fowls represent one category of meat and wild animals another. That it does refer only to the latter is demonstrated in D&C 46:19. For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.

If the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air are ordained for food for man, that he might have in abundance, it is logical that the pronoun,
these, in D&C 89:15 refers only to the wild animals that man should eat only in times of great necessity. That concept is also consistent with D&C 49:21, which says; And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.

Beasts of the field refer to domesticated animals as opposed to wild animals. Enos, in Enos 1:20 refers to the idolatrous and blood-thirsty Lamanites feeding upon wild animals, or beasts of prey, as filthiness.

Elders Bruce R. McConkie and Mark E. Peterson in speaking of the Word of Wisdom both indicate that abstinence from eating meat is not ordained of God. "Those who command that men should not eat meat, are not ordained of God, such counsel being listed by Paul as an evidence of apostasy. God has created 'meats,' he says, 'to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.' (1 Tim. 4:3.)" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.846). "It will be noted that the Lord in the Word of Wisdom cautions against the excessive use of meats. But the Lord also warns against those who say that we should eat no meat at all" (Mark E. Peterson, A Word of Wisdom, p. 16).

Gramps

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