Latter-day Saints should only eat meat in times of famine

You are probably impressed by the title of this article. Let me start with a brief story,

when I was eight years old, I told my dad that I did not want to eat animals anymore. He was a little impressed by my decision and asked me why, I responded “I think we should take care of animals instead of eating them”. My dad paused for a minute and said “You’re right, you do not have to eat animals if you do not want to, I will support your decision”.

I always felt that it was one of the best decisions I have taken, but never wondered wha twas happening to the animals that the rest of my family and friends were eating. I always thought that if God wanted us to eat animals just because we like how they taste, then He would not have given animals the ability to feel emotions and pain. I tried not to think about this very much, but then, I saw some videos that expose the cruelty behind the meat, dairy, and egg industries. When I saw all the misery and pain that animals have to endure just to end up in plate, I started

to wonder what Heavenly Father thinks about this situation. So, I decided to go back to Doctrine and Covenants section 89 to read the Word of Wisdom again, and these verses that I hadn’t seen before stood out to me immediately.

12 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;

13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

When I read that God made animals for the use of man only in times of famine and

excess of hunger, I started to wonder why no one seemed to be talking about this so I decided to do my own research and study the words of the old leaders of the church. I went to the BYU Library and found and article from the Latter-day Saint Millennial Start, this was said by John Henry Smith, “Animal life is to be properly guarded and not wantonly sacrificed to the appetite of man. His use of it must be limited to times of scarcity or those seasons of extreme cold...grains, fruits and vegetables are the natural food of man” (Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, 1884, p.170). Then I read that Hyrum Smith said, “Let men attend to these instructions, let

them use the things ordained of God; let them be sparing of the life of animals: It is pleasing saith the Lord that flesh be used only in times of winter, or of famine” (Times and Seasons, 1842. Truth will prevail: Word of Wisdom, Vol. 3, No. 51, p. 801).

Everything started to make since, we are not forbidden to eat meat, but animals should only be sacrificed in times of famine and excess of hunger, killing and eating animals just for pleasure doesn’t please God. I kept searching for answers and found that many leaders of the church had talked about animals and the consumption of meat as well. Hyrum Mack Smith said, “Man has been entrusted with sovereignty over the animal kingdom, that he may learn to govern as God rules, by the power of love and justice, and become fit for his eternal destiny as a ruler of

worlds”. Yes, we have dominion over animals, and everything on earth, but this dominion is not a license to kill and destroy the animal race, it is a call for service, we are supposed to take care of everything that God put on earth for us, and that includes animals.

George Q Cannon said, “We should by every means in our power impress upon the rising generation the value of life and how dreadful a sin it is to take life. The lives of animals even should be held far more sacred than they are” (Juvenile Instructure, No 31, 1896, p. 218). Cows, chickens, pigs and turkeys are not different that the cats and dogs that we all love so much. If our cats and dogs had to endure what farm animals do, we would all stand up to defend them, why are we not defending all animals, why love one and eat the other? On factory farms, animals are

subjected to routine mutilations without anesthesia, extreme confinement, violence and inhumane treatment. It is our duty as human beings to protect and have compassion for other beings. David O. Mckay said, “A true Latter-Day Saint is kind to animals, is kind to every created thing, for God has created it all” (General Conference, October, 1951).