D&C 89:5-8 “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 to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.“
Study Insights
Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21 Explanation (February 27, 1833)
Promise of Robust Health
In these verses, the Lord extends a vivid promise that obedience to His dietary counsel—the Word of Wisdom—yields not only spiritual blessing but tangible physical vitality. Saints who “remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments,” are assured of “health in their navel and marrow to their bones.” This poetic imagery underscores full-body wellness: the navel, representing digestion and life’s center, and the marrow, indicating deep, structural strength. By following divine counsel, adherents experience a harmony between body and spirit that fosters enduring well-being.
Abundance of Wisdom and Knowledge
Beyond physical vigor, the revelation links obedience to intellectual and spiritual enrichment. Those who live the counsel “shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” This promise suggests that God rewards faithfulness with insights—both revealed and uncovered—into scripture, creation, and personal revelation. Hidden treasures may encompass new understandings of gospel truths, inspired creativity in solving life’s challenges, or profound moments of spiritual clarity that transform daily living.
Endurance and Sustained Strength
The covenant continues with a dynamic metaphor of limitless energy: “And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.” This assurance speaks directly to personal resilience. In life’s marathon—whether trials of faith, service demands, or everyday stresses—the obedient saint is equipped with divine stamina. Running without fatigue and walking without collapse paints a portrait of tireless devotion, enabling members to press forward through hardships and maintain faithful service without succumbing to discouragement.
Divine Protection Guaranteed
Finally, the Lord seals His promises with an echo of ancient deliverance: “that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.” Just as the Israelites were shielded during the first Passover, faithful Saints are granted spiritual and temporal protection from powers that would harm their bodies, minds, or souls. This profound reassurance elevates the Word of Wisdom beyond mere health advice—it becomes a covenant of divine guardianship, assuring believers that obedience invites God’s protective presence into every aspect of life.
Through these interwoven promises of health, wisdom, endurance, and protection, D&C 89:18–21 transforms dietary counsel into a holistic covenant. It invites modern readers to view obedience not as restriction but as a pathway to hidden treasures of knowledge, sustaining strength, and sacred safeguarding in all their endeavors.
