I promise this post is related to health- so bear with me! I have been pondering Covenants and Curses, how they are created and stored in our spiritual DNA. They are not visible to the physical eye, but are the backbone of the lives we create here, the things we and our posterity will experience, and can create either chaos or constructive growth.
For those familiar with the Book of Mormon, it is an account of an ancient people in the Americas who believed in God and Jesus Christ. Through the course of time, their records were handed down from one generation to the next, wherein their proceedings could be recorded and shared. This information was handed down to the future generation for wise purposes:
1) to preserve and educate their offspring of historical events that were meaningful and important. This included the covenants they made to God, and the promised blessings granted to them if they were faithful and diligent in keeping His commandments.
2) to remind them of where they came from- their lineage, and the many difficulties their ancestors went through and the sacrifices they made to bring their offspring the blessings of a promised land, protection and posterity.
3) to caution them about the “false traditions” of their fathers, which induced many of their family members to stray and fall into disbelief, or unbelief regarding a truth. Often these traditions started out with a slight deviation from the truth, until it carried whole nations off course and led to their utter destruction spiritually and physically.
Today we still can succumb to these “false traditions”. False traditions create curses which may not be evident at first, but can bring greater condemnation or spiritual decay later. Furthermore, it is up to the rising generation to find and break these curses, that we may heal the chain (the spiritual DNA of humanity).
An example of a “chain breaker” is Abraham, who lived in ancient Egypt. His father had been led away by false traditions of idol worship, and Abraham would not bow down to these idols. As a result, he was to be sacrificed by his father’s priest. His father had taken upon himself the “curse” of sacrificing men, women and children to these idols, false Gods who had no power and thus no mercy. Abraham escaped by divine intervention, and yet years later was asked by the true and living God to sacrifice His only son Isaac. In essence, he was called upon to do the very thing that was abominable in the sight of God- the very thing he was most fearful of. Yet, in his great faith, he made a “covenant” with God, a promise that he would follow through. Because of His great faith in God, as he made this covenant the curse was broken. At the very last second, when Isaac would have taken his last earthly breath, God intervened and lovingly told Abraham that his test was passed. We are here likewise to break chains for our family line, for all of humanity- and for ourselves.
There are many “false traditions” in our society today that create chains. Can you think of any that you or your family have embraced? They may be small, and almost imperceptible, or they may have grown and become something great. Here are some examples I’ve found:
“Moderation in all things”- the belief that it is ok to be moderate in consumption of all things, even when evidence proves the additives in those foods to be harmful. This breeds a rationale that a little bit of this or that won’t kill you- so it is ok. Thus we consume foods highly refined and chemically processed which create food addictions, cravings and insatiable appetites.
“Don’t ask, don’t tell”- the belief that we don’t need to inquire about certain additives, or products used in our society today, and that it is not needful to know everything that goes into our holy vessels. This breeds a rationale that the organization who oversees our food, beverage and prescription use knows what they are doing and we should just “trust them.”
“Everyone is doing it”- the belief that because our society as a whole has adopted certain consumption habits, that it is “just the world we live in” and we therefore go along with it. Because it takes more effort to find and prepare healthier food, we forgo doing so because the pizza is easier to purchase. I admit, I have been here! And I watched these decisions build up to affect my health deleteriously. I am grateful for the wake-up call, so I now can teach my family and friends better eating habits. This is one of the most dangerous belief systems that is affecting our health today. I cannot tell you how many dear patients I have who just can’t seem to shift into healthier eating habits. They report, “it is just too hard to do it,” or “I tried but then my coworkers brought donuts,” or “but I have this birthday dinner to go to tomorrow night.” Thus they never experience improvement with their health problems. Our whole social system revolves around food- the wrong foods, and it is taking a toll on our health, even for our children. It has become so ingrained in us, the processed food regime that when we are told that a whole foods diet can bring us health- we shockingly admit, “but I wouldn’t know what to eat!”
There are a few stories in scripture that illustrate ways to break these traditions, and eliminate the curses they bring. Daniel, when a youth was taken to Babylon where he was indoctrinated in their educational system, and was given “rich foods” to eat. Despite everyone else conforming to this way of living, Daniel would not. He chose to eat the way he had been taught, and in so doing was richly blessed by the Lord. His intellect and clarity of mind were preserved, and he was able to hear the word of the Lord. As a result, he had the privilege of interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Sha’drach, Me’shach, and Abed’nego also stood true to their beliefs when in Babylon. Like Daniel, they would not consume the rich foods and wine everyone else was given. I imagine there were many captives taken into Babylon, and many chose to conform to the ways of Babylon. But these young men would not. By their adherence to eating the way they had been taught of God, they were protected even in the fiery furnace when the angry King threw them there to die. Instead they had the privilege of seeing an angel of the Lord! They were thereafter promoted by the King to be among His choicest servants. Their example led King Nebuchadenezzar to believe in the veracity of their God.
Many of us understand we are not to be compelled in all things- God wants us to follow personal revelation and guidance as we seek to find the truth of all things, and not just of things that pertain to health. However, in scripture “health” also means salvation- living with our eternal parents once again. Therefore, do we not find it interesting that there is a law of “health”, and an invitation to follow it? By complying with a temporal law of “health” there are spiritual blessings we reap. A heightened sensitivity to the spirit, greater knowing and understanding of the things of God, and a strengthened resolve to follow Him are just a few. As these blessings are so evident in abiding by these principles of health, should we not celebrate it’s inclusion for our welfare? Moreover, shall we not seek to support others who choose to live the law of health as they see fit and not impose our own belief system? I hope and pray that as we pass through our journeys to healing and health, that we can recognize the power that comes from eating healthy, whole foods. May we be grateful for their existence and the spiritual, emotional and physical healing that takes place by their consumption and not judge others for what they choose to consume. We are eternal- and the law of health is as well! I testify as we adhere to the law of health, and seek to understand it for our personal welfare, we will be blessed both now and in the eternities.