Be Not Drunk With Wine... But Be Filled With The Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of Mormons is their abstinence from wine and other strong drinks. Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints often use the story of Christ turning water into wine in discussions about the health habits of latter Day Saints. The common argument: "Jesus drank wine... so why don't you (or the cases of investigators: I)?" They accuse Latter Day Saints of claiming that their God is a God of change. Yet no really looks hard enough because if they did I sincerely feel that it would make a lot of sense to a lot of people, especially to those who are familiar with the scriptures and the ways of our eternal Father in heaven. To sum it up, there are numerous reasons why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints don't partake of such things as alcohol, tea (except herbal), and coffee. However, there are two main points I would like to discuss in this post. One, the common reason, Latter Day Saints do it because the Lord has commanded it; and another, not so common reason, because the Lord desires to separate His people from the rest of the world. 

However, before I jump into the two reasons I have submitted for your consideration I wish to outline the heath, formally known as the Word of Wisdom, of the Mormon Church. It can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants in Section 89; in these verses can be found numerous health guidelines. I do not intend to outline all of them but let’s discuss a few.

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; (verse 14)

Here is discussed the importance of grains. We were all taught as children about the food pyramid. We were all taught that out of everything we ate what we should partake most frequently of included breads and grains. In this verse the Lord has admonished the same thing of his Saints. To make grains a staple part of their diet.

And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

About forty years ago or, before everyone learned how bad it was for you, every one smoked except for a minority, that minority consisted in large part of Latter Day Saints. Joseph Smith had received this revelation from the Lord long before things like lung cancer and other problems were known to be caused by partaking of tobacco containing substances. The Lord is all knowing and He desires to protect all of His children, including the Saints, from the harmful things of this world, but spiritual and temporal. This admonishment is evidence of His desire. Science has proved that this suggestion is not unfounded, why should we not heed the words of God? (Verse 8)

That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father… And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies… And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”(Verse 5,7,9)

Definitely the most controversial aspect of the latter Day Saint health code, is the admonishment not to drink coffee, tea, or wine. We could spend hours debating back and forth about the positive and negatives aspects of these difference beverages but for Latter Day Saints it really all comes down to the fact that they believe the Lord has commanded it, so they do it.

So let’s discuss that concept, the idea that the Lord has commanded so we do it. A lot of us as individuals like to know why we have to do something. I know I do. But that is not the way of our Father. As I have previously mentioned we are here to be tested. Let us recall the Saviors reminder, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). No one ever said the crosses we would have to carry would be easy. The path that Christ walked was not one of ease and comfort why should it be for us? For a great reward requires a great sacrifice. Now if you will look in your Pearl of Great Price (another book in the scriptural canon of Latter Day Saints) to the Book of Abraham. In this the book the Lord further explains the purpose of such commandments like the Word of Wisdom. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:26). The Lord wants to see how we will react when He interacts with us in our lives.

Recall for a moment the story of the ten lepers. Ten lepers came to Christ and desired that He should heal them. In compassion he commanded them, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.” Luke records “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). When the ten formerly leprous men realized what had occurred then went off rejoicing. Only one returned to thank the Master for what He had done. Yet Christ, being all knowing and in tune with His Father would have known that this would occur. Yet he commanded all of them to do such a thing when He, I’m sure, very well knew that only the one would return to express His gratitude. He even asks the one “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17) I submit to you that the Lord performed this miracle and then blessed the individuals according to the way they reacted. I do not think we can surprise God but I believe we can affirm to kind of people he knows we are. Why would we not want to prove that we are willing to pick up our crosses and follow after Him? Why would not want to called his sheep?

The second reason, the one that is not as common as the first is the idea that God wishes to make His people holy. The word holy in Hebrew is kodesh, the root “kadash” also means to be separated or divided. In making His holy God wishes to separate them. Consider for a moment the laws of Old Testament Judaism. One of the defining characteristic was the fact that they didn’t eat pork, or anything that God revealed to be defiled or unholy. I ask you: does this commandment have any eternal significance? Other than being a commandment of God was the eating of pork going to kill a Jew or damn them to hell? Not at all, the Lord commandment it because he wanted His chosen people to be different. He wanted them to be Holy. The same explanation can be offered for the word of wisdom. The Lord has commandment Latter Day Saints to not drink not because He will damn them to hell if they do or that a glass every once in a while will cause detrimental problems to their health but because he wants to separate his people and make them holy. In the New Testament the Lord commanded “Therefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17). The Lord has used the Word of Wisdom to separate His Saints just as he used a kosher diet to separate the Jews. Question not the Lord for His ways are just and they will guide you to Eternal life.

It is possible that I have helped some of you understand further this concept. Before ending I would like to share one last thing with you, that is, the blessings of doing what the Lord asks. If you will return to section 89 the Lord outlines blessings for sticking to this health code of sorts. He says that if one follows these guidelines they “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” (verses 18-21). I testify that even though we cannot understand the ways of God we can be blessed by following all the things that He commands us to do. Our Savior said “f ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). Be not of the world my dear readers, glorify him in all that you do. May He bless you until you read again.