Was the restriction of unclean foods in the Bible a commandment?

Question

Gramps,

In Leviticus 11 God speaks to Aaron and Moses about unclean and clean food that the Israelites may eat.  Was this a commandment? Is it still to this day after the death of Jesus?

Blaine

Answer

Dear Blaine,

The Law of Moses, received by Moses on Mount Sinai, was more than a legal code—it was a comprehensive guide to living as God’s chosen people. Food laws were a central feature. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 list which animals, birds, and fish were “clean” or “unclean.” Clean animals included those with cloven hooves that chew the cud (such as oxen, sheep, and goats), and fish with fins and scales. Unclean animals included pigs, camels, shellfish, birds of prey, and many others. These restrictions weren’t arbitrary. They served multiple functions: setting the Israelites apart, promoting spiritual discipline, and—some suggest—fostering health and hygiene in a pre-scientific era.

What was the purpose of these detailed dietary distinctions? They were part of the broader “Law of Holiness,” a set of statutes designed to train Israel in purity and dedication to the Lord. The Law functioned as an instructor or “schoolmaster” to bring the people to Christ, encouraging obedience for the sake of spiritual growth, rather than blind adherence. These rituals and restrictions symbolized spiritual truths and created an external sign of Israel’s unique covenant relationship with God.

For ancient Israelites, these were bona fide commandments with clear consequences for disobedience. Jesus Himself, as a devout Jew, would have observed these food restrictions during His earthly ministry. Yet, the Law of Moses was a preparatory law—intended for a specific covenant people during a particular period in salvation history.

When Jesus Christ came, He repeatedly challenged the prevailing interpretations of Mosaic law, especially those that prioritized outward ritual over inward spirituality. He taught that “it is not that which goes into a person that defiles them but what comes out of them” (see Matthew 15:11). His purpose was not merely to modify the Mosaic code, but to fulfill and transcend it, ushering in a new covenant based on higher spiritual principles rather than strict ceremonial observance.

During His ministry, Christ did not always observe the Pharisees’ interpretation of laws concerning food and cleanliness. He ate with publicans, neglected certain ritual washings, and healed on the Sabbath, drawing sharp criticism from religious authorities. These actions highlighted that the spirit and purpose of the law outweighed its letter.

After Christ’s resurrection, His apostles faced a crucial question: Should Gentile converts observe Jewish dietary restrictions? The watershed moment came at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where it was revealed to the apostles that Gentiles did not need to observe the entire Mosaic Law to be part of the covenant community. Instead, they were instructed only to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, and from things strangled—drastically simplifying the list of prohibitions. This shift marked a decisive break from the old system and affirmed that salvation came through Christ, not the Law.

With Christ’s atonement, the “law of carnal commandments,” as Paul called them, were ended. This fulfillment was explicit in both the New Testament (see 3 Nephi 15:1–9) and the teachings of early Christian leaders. While the spirit of the Law—its moral and spiritual truths—persisted (as seen in the continued relevance of the Ten Commandments), the outward rituals, including dietary codes, were no longer binding. Christians were to live by a higher law of inner purity and continuous discipleship.

His law is anew with each dispensation. Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus each taught the people according to God’s current requirements. In recent times, following the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through Joseph Smith, this pattern has continued. The Lord outlined for His people a new “Law of Holiness” suited to modern needs and circumstances.

For members of the Church, the dietary code is found in the Word of Wisdom—a revelation given by Joseph Smith in 1833. Unlike the Law of Moses, the Word of Wisdom outlines restrictions and counsel appropriate for the “last days,” prohibiting the use of alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and illicit drugs, and encouraging the consumption of wholesome foods with wisdom. The emphasis is less on ritual purity and more on spiritual discipline and physical health—“a principle with promise” (Doctrine & Covenants 89:18–21).

Some Christians today—such as those who identify as Messianic or “Christian Hebrews”—seek to keep the old Mosaic dietary restrictions. Yet, the Church understands, both from New Testament revelation and modern scriptures, that Jesus ended the need for those specific laws. Modern revelation supersedes old commandments, and Church members look to the counsel given to Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets to know what is required now.

The Church’s stance is not arbitrary; it is consistent with God’s pattern of teaching His people according to their time, place, and readiness. We draw the line at what the Lord commanded us to do through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the prophets that the Lord chose to follow Him.

Some specific food questions persist: Why do Church members eat pork and shellfish if the Old Testament forbids them? What about eating animal blood?

The answer is consistent: these proscriptions were part of the Law of Moses, and, as explained in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, were nullified by Christ. The Savior explained to the Nephites that the law was fulfilled in Him, stating, “old things had passed away, and… all things had become new… the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me” (3 Nephi 15:1-9).

Regarding animal blood, the apostles initially continued this specific restriction for Gentile converts (Acts 15:20, 21:25). Today, the Law of Moses and its dietary ordinances have been superseded by the Word of Wisdom and the principle of seeking the Lord and using wisdom in all things. Members of the Church are encouraged to prayerfully consider such questions and follow the counsel of modern prophets.

Gramps