I know I've been quiet for, like, EVER. I've been a little lost in my life as far as diet and exercise go. My hA1c continued to hold strong in the 5 range (thank the powers that be!), but otherwise I was floundering. I feel a little friendless. I miss having a friend who randomly showed up at my door at 8 or 9 in the evening proclaiming "Kids are in bed, let's go!"
I thrived on that.
I wish I had more friends like that.
I'm still struggling to adjust to "civilian life" (ie: church life after being in primary presidency for 3 years), and randomly blurt out whatever I'm thinking at the moment in Relief Society. At least I make the sisters laugh, and often get little pats on the back "I enjoy your thoughts. Thanks for making it interesting." although I'm not sure if it's more of a "ohmigosh, what's wrong with her? bless her heart..." type thing or if they're genuine. It's not my fault my creative brain has panic attacks when asked "What's the first thing that will happen in the resurrection?"
I mean, naturally, it's going to scream "ZOMBIES!"
Anyway... I've been trying to make an effort, but it's still pretty painful to sit there.
I'm also tired of arguing about the Word of Widsom to my friends who tell me that my choice to lead a gluten-free lifestyle goes against the teachings of the Church.
I'll have you know that I recently got my temple recommend renewed. The stake president and I discussed my issue with the WoW. I told him why I avoid grains. I feel like I am better able to control my blood sugar when I lead a lifestyle rich in natural foods (including meat), and avoid grain. I told him I try to eat in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord, while meeting my own physical nutritional needs.
You know what?
He commended me on exercising my wisdom.
So shut up, okay?
Also today in Relief Society, the stake presidency came in and gave a presentation. The scripture D&C 29:35 came up
"Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual"
This says to me (while thinking of the WoW) that we need to eat in a way that is not only pleasing to the Lord (ie: foods as close to their natural state/avoiding poisonous substances), but also sustaining and nourishing to our bodies.
I also went back to the WoW to remind myself what exactly it all entails. I came away with this:
D&C 89:
14: 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 creap on the earth;
15: And these hath God made for the use of man ONLY IN TIMES OF FAMINE AND EXCESS OF HUNGER.
Hmm... God says only eat grain in times of famine. Interesting.
He also says that all manner of fruit, vegetable, and herbs are good for you. Hmm... I foresee more herbal tea in my diet (rooibos is particularly good for your immune system)
I know he says to avoid hot drink, but I think it is to the extent of those containing addictive substances such as caffeine.
Additionally, if you really dig, verse 5 says that man is to avoid strong drink (alcohol), but things that are brewed at home (fermented goodies-- kombucha, pure wine, cider, etc) are okay.
HOLY HANNAH, STOP RIGHT THERE, TRISH, THAT'S BLASPHEMY!
6: And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make
*Gasp*
Not that I'm gonna be drinking wine any time soon (I tried it when I was 10, it was nasty), but I'm definitely going to feel a whole lot less guilty about Kombucha.
Also the first thing He (the Lord) says in regards to the Word of Wisdom is in verse 2:
To be sent greeting; NOT BY COMMANDMENT or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days.
Right there if that doesn't say it all. The Lord encourages us to exercise our wisdom in the matter, that we should nourish ourselves in the order that would be pleasing to the Lords.
If we are aiming to please the Lord, our bodies will rejoice and reflect those choices.
A promise is given on the matter:
18: And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow in their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20: And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint
The last verse is my favorite.
And while I'm on the subject of being all churchy & junk, I also wanted to share this verse... cuz it makes me giggle every time
Zechariah 5:1-2
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits
FOOD FIGHT!!
By the way, I got a Kindle for Christmas (thanks, Ma!). I'm actually reading scriptures again.
P.S. To anyone who wants to call me out on my dietary choices in the future: I'll be over here enjoying my WoW approved Kombucha, while you apostatize with that diet coke you're holding.
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The Pregnant Diabetic.
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4 comments:
Trish, I don't know much about comments others have made about your dietary choices, but having read your post, and knowing where you live, I am sure it was some uber holier than thou person who needs to "take the beam out of their own eye" if you know what I mean.
Always remember that the only people who are allowed to judge you are Christ and your Common Judge in Israel (your Bishop). You can feel free to tell everybody else to stick it.
Your points about the Word of Wisdom are fairly accurate in my opinion. I my opinion, the purpose of the WoW is to teach us how to control the natural man. If you notice, the prohibited items in the doctrine all can lead to addiction. And even if something is not expressly prohibited, if it could cause you to "lose control" of your faculties, even in a minor way, then it should probably be avoided. (Caffeine, though never mentioned as forbidden by General Authorities, probably would fit in this category.)
The beauty of this or any doctrine of the church is that we each have our free agency to choose for ourselves how we will follow the teachings of the Savior. As I said earlier, the only person you need to answer to are yourself and Christ.
Personally, I believe that if going gluten free is helping you to manage your health in a positive way, then I say go for it. I cannot imagine that Heavenly Father would expect any if his children to knowingly cause their health to suffer by following a pharisacial view of one of his commandments.
Sorry for the rant.
SL
Um, before you get too excited thinking that the Lord said not to eat grains, consider the two verses just previous to the ones you quoted:
"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."
I think He's just repeating that later because it's really important to Him. And it makes a logical sense as well. In times of plenty and in summer, there is an abundance of grains, herbs, fruits and vegetables. In times of winter, plants die back and go into hibernation, while animals and birds are still plentiful. The same with times of famine. The first things to die out are the plants, thus leaving animals and bugs for us to eat. It's a question of hierarchy. People are at the top, then animals, then plants. And we should eat from the bottom of the hierarchy as much as possible, since it's the base. Plus it's a bit contradictory to say that grains are to be the staff of life, and then turn around and say to only use them when you're essentially about to die of starvation. Just saying.
Anyway, like I've said in person, if you and the Lord are good, then that's cool. I just won't do it, myself. I feel that there's no medical need in our family to adjust our diet in that way, and doing so would, in our case, distance us from the Lord. And the Lord knows our family needs all the help it can get!
Also, the English translation of scriptures is sometimes really funny. :3
Someone seriously told you you weren't following the WOW by eating Gluten free? Well then according to them my poor son and a few thousand or so Church members who can't eat Gluten will never be a worthy member of the church!
Oh and can I just say I ate dinner with Elder Perry and Elder Fisher last year when my Dad was released as Stake Pres. Elder Fisher's wife has Celiac. And no one shunned her for being GF. Good night that's just ridiculous.
The thing is you probably have a much healthier diet by using every other grain You're just not eating wheat, barley, or any other grain that becomes tainted by those two through processing. But odds are high that person probably only ever eats wheat and rice.
Good for you for making the choice to keep your body healthy by going GF. If it helps you to manage your diabetes I don't see how that's a whole lot different than someon with Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease.
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