In 1908 in a general conference, President Joseph
F. Smith read section 89 of the Doctrine and
Covenants--the Word of Wisdom.
Then he, both of his counselors, and the President
of the Twelve all spoke to the same
subject, the Word of Wisdom.
Then a vote to accept it as binding upon the members of
the Church was unanimously passed.
That revelation begins, "In consequence of evils and
designs which do and will exist in the hearts of
conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and
forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by
revelation. "
It is a shield and a protection to our people,
particularly our youth.
It becomes part of that "whole armor" of God promised in the
revelations to protect them from the "fiery
darts" of the adversary.