Theo Nash
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, are advised not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine. This guidance is based on a revelation from God received by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom is regarded as a divine counsel on healthy living rather than a set of restrictive rules. It encourages the avoidance of harmful substances and advises moderation in the consumption of certain foods. While some Latter-day Saints abstain from alcohol entirely, it is ultimately a matter of personal choice, and individuals are free to decide whether or not to consume alcohol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Other names | Mormons |
| Alcohol consumption | Members are taught not to consume alcohol. However, they are free to choose whether or not they drink alcohol. |
| Reasoning | The Word of Wisdom, a revelation from God, states that "if anyone drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, [...] strong drinks are not for the belly." |
| Exceptions | Members may consume sacramental wine, "of [their] own make". |
| Other restrictions | Members should not consume tea, coffee, tobacco, illegal drugs, or abuse legal drugs. |
| Dietary recommendations | Fruits and vegetables should be eaten with "prudence and thanksgiving". Meat should be eaten "sparingly" and grains are "good for the food of man". |
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What You'll Learn
The Word of Wisdom
In addition to the prohibitions outlined in the Word of Wisdom, Latter-day Saints prophets have provided further guidance on substances that are considered destructive, habit-forming, or addictive. This includes vaping, e-cigarettes, green tea, and coffee-based products. They have also cautioned that substances like marijuana and opioids should only be used for medicinal purposes under medical supervision.
While the Word of Wisdom provides guidelines for healthy living, Latter-day Saints have the freedom to choose whether or not to follow them. However, compliance with the Word of Wisdom is necessary for baptism and full participation in church activities.
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Baptism and temple worship
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as Mormons, believe they are advised by God not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine. This belief is based on a revelation from God, received by the Church prophet Joseph Smith on 27 February 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom states that "strong drinks are not for the belly", and that "if anyone drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good".
The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by God for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. It is a sacred revelation from a Heavenly Father who wants His children to be healthy and happy. Latter-day Saints believe that obedience to this revelation will result in blessings of increased physical and spiritual well-being.
The Word of Wisdom is not meant to be a list of rules or forbidden things. Instead, it is seen as a gift and a way to show devotion to God. It encourages healthy practices such as nutritious eating, regular exercise, proper hygiene, and adequate rest. It also encourages the sparing consumption of meat.
Compliance with the Word of Wisdom is necessary to become a member of the LDS Church and participate in various church functions, including baptism and temple worship. The ordinance of baptism is believed to bind its participant to Jesus Christ, who saves them in their imperfection if they continually keep their promises to Him. Baptism is performed by immersion and is typically administered to children from the age of eight.
Through the ordinances of temple sealing and temple endowment, anyone can reach the highest level of salvation in the celestial kingdom and eternally live in God's presence, continue as families, become gods, create worlds, and make spirit children over whom they will govern.
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Health and well-being
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, believe they are divinely instructed not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine. This belief is based on a revelation from God received by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom is not viewed as a set of rules but rather as counsel from God on how to live a healthy and happy life. It is considered a privilege and a responsibility to follow this guidance, and members are grateful for the blessings of health and strength that come with it.
The Word of Wisdom is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, which states that "if anyone drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good," and "strong drinks are not for the belly." It encourages the consumption of fruits and vegetables with "prudence and thanksgiving" and instructs that meat should be eaten sparingly, while grains such as wheat are "good for the food of man."
Abstinence from alcohol is a requirement for baptism and temple worship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members believe that obedience to the Word of Wisdom will result in blessings of increased physical and spiritual well-being. They are taught that the Lord has promised "health in their navel and marrow to their bones," "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge," and the ability to "run and not be weary."
While some members of the church may choose not to consume alcohol, it is important to note that the church allows its members to make their own choices regarding alcohol consumption. The church's health code is based on the belief that God wants his children to be healthy and happy, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are known for their healthy lifestyles.
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Alcohol in the Bible
Alcohol is mentioned in the Bible, with wine being the most common alcoholic beverage referenced. Wine is used symbolically, in both positive and negative terms, and its consumption is prescribed for religious rites or medicinal purposes in some places. For example, Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12). Additionally, Paul advised Timothy to "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Timothy 5:23).
The Bible does not prohibit drinking alcohol but instead warns against drunkenness. For example, Ephesians 5:18 states, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" (ESV). Similarly, Proverbs 23:20-21 says, "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags." Drunkenness is considered a sin, and those who are drunkards are considered unbelievers in the Bible.
The original versions of the Bible use several different words for alcoholic beverages, including at least 10 in Hebrew and five in Greek. The Hebrew word "yayin" and the Koine Greek word "oinos" are commonly translated as "wine" but can also refer to freshly pressed non-alcoholic juice. The adjective "unmixed" (ἄκρατος) is used in ancient texts to designate undiluted wine, but this adjective is never used in the New Testament to describe the wine consumed by Jesus or his disciples. Instead, wine was typically diluted with water, and ancient rabbis prohibited the consumption of undiluted wine as a beverage.
While the Bible does not prohibit drinking alcohol, some Christian sects, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons), abstain from alcohol consumption. This is based on a revelation received by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom, which describes which foods and drinks are good for the body and which substances should be avoided. The Word of Wisdom states that "strong drinks are not for the belly" and commands Latter-day Saints to abstain from harmful substances. However, it does include an exception for sacramental wine, and members of the Church are free to choose whether or not to drink alcohol.
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Alcohol and the sacrament
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, believe they are divinely advised not to drink alcohol, including beer and wine. In 1833, Church prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from God regarding health, known as the Word of Wisdom. This revelation describes which foods and drinks are beneficial for the body and which substances should be avoided. It states: "if anyone drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good," and further, "strong drinks are not for the belly."
The Word of Wisdom includes an exception for sacramental wine that is "of your own make." However, early in the Church's history, wine was officially replaced with water for use in the sacrament. This is because Mormons believe that in today's world, they have been commanded to abstain from drinking alcohol. To qualify for baptism and temple worship, they must refrain from drinking alcohol, as well as live all other aspects of the Word of Wisdom.
The Word of Wisdom is viewed as more than just a set of rules by the Latter-day Saints; they see it as a revelation from God that provides counsel on how to live a healthy life. They believe that obedience to this revelation will result in blessings of increased physical and spiritual well-being. It is considered a privilege and a responsibility to follow the Word of Wisdom, and they are grateful for the blessings of health and strength that come with it.
While some may question the absence of specific revelations regarding abstinence from processed sugar, flour, and other foods linked to health issues, the Word of Wisdom is seen as a sacred revelation from a Heavenly Father who desires the well-being and happiness of His children. It is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children.
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Frequently asked questions
No, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, do not drink alcohol. This is based on a revelation from God received by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom, which describes which foods and drinks are good for the body and which substances should be avoided.
The Word of Wisdom states that "if anyone drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good," and that "strong drinks are not for the belly." It also instructs followers to abstain from harmful substances, including illegal drugs and the abuse of legal drugs.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the Word of Wisdom is a gift from God, who wants His children to be healthy and happy. They view it as a revelation on how to live a healthy life and believe that obedience to it will result in blessings of increased physical and spiritual well-being.
While members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught to abstain from alcohol, they are free to choose whether or not to drink. However, to qualify for baptism and temple worship, they must refrain from drinking alcohol and live according to the Word of Wisdom.
