Beer and the Word of Wisdom

[Solon]

Originally Posted by Tex

Has the prophet called for a sustaining vote on codifying this heretofore recommendation?

I don't know if you're implying that this happened with the Word of Wisdom, but it doesn't seem to have.

"It can only be concluded from the available evidence that no General Conference of the Church has ever specifically voted to change the status of the Word of Wisdom from counsel to commandment. Indeed, for most of the nineteenth century, efforts to elevate the Word of Wisdom to a commandment were rejected by church leaders.”

(McCue, pp. 73-74)

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Solon

Il Padrino Ute’s recent question in the Religion forum about iced tea, coupled with my ongoing musings about presentist revisionism spawned this question I’ve been nursing for awhile. The Word of Wisdom, to me at least, pretty clearly allows for consumption of beer and other “mild drinks.” According to my understanding, the WoW prohibits wine and “strong drinks” (D&C 89.3, 5), but “mild drinks” made from grains (D&C 89.17) are okay.

After doing a little digging, and finding that the “commandmentization” of the WoW is debatable, it has come to my attention that, either due to ignorance of alcoholic beverages or an oversight spawned by the current policies, few people - whether scholars or religious figures - have made the distinction between strong and weak drinks in a WoW context.

So, the nit-picking about iced tea and caffeine aside, can LDS drink beer with a clean conscience? (BTW, the temple recommend question asks the member only, "Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?")

I think they can.

I invite you to peruse the fine articles written by Thomas G. Alexander and Robert J. McCue for the primary sources, background information, and some insightful commentary on how the Word of Wisdom “became” a commandment and how it fits into the broader context of American social movements.

Thomas G. Alexander, “The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement” in Dialogue, vol. 14.3 (Autumn 1981), pp. 78-88.

Robert J. McCue, “Did the Word of Wisdom Become a Commandment in 1851?” in Dialogue, vol. 14.3 (Autumn 1981), pp. 66-77.

You can read Dialogue vol. 14 at:
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/doc...&CISOSHOW=6510

In late antiquity and the Middle Ages in parts of Europe beer was a staple, like rice in the far east. It was more healthy than water for hydrating, and was caloric and tasty. And it didn't spoil.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Solon

I don't know if you're implying that this happened with the Word of Wisdom, but it doesn't seem to have.

It surely did. What the author of that article is questioning is the scope of the vote, and how serious the commandment/counsel was meant to be taken (santos should have fun with that).

But he doesn't seem to question that a sustaining vote was held. I don't recall a vote being held in General Conference on the R-rated question that fits even the narrowest interpretation of Young's 1851 statement.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Tex

It surely did. What the author of that article is questioning is the scope of the vote, and how serious the commandment/counsel was meant to be taken (santos should have fun with that).

But he doesn't seem to question that a sustaining vote was held. I don't recall a vote being held in General Conference on the R-rated question that fits even the narrowest interpretation of Young's 1851 statement.

Why would the R rated thing come up in conference. It is counsel, not commandment.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by BYU71

Why would the R rated thing come up in conference. It is counsel, not commandment.

so was the word of wisdom "To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days"

[RockyBalboa]

Beer tastes like shit anyway.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

so was the word of wisdom "To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days"

I know, but it is now accepted as having moved beyond counsel to commandment.

I have a pretty simple test. If I can do it and go to the temple, it isn't commandment. That is my test for all those who tell me the white shirt, missionary service, coca cola, r-rated movies are commandments. They aren't to me, they are counsel.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by BYU71

I know, but it is now accepted as having moved beyond counsel to commandment.

I have a pretty simple test. If I can do it and go to the temple, it isn't commandment. That is my test for all those who tell me the white shirt, missionary service, coca cola, r-rated movies are commandments. They aren't to me, they are counsel.

ummm... that is the argument solon is making about the WOW that you can drink beer (mild drink) and still go to the temple

[Tex]

Originally Posted by BYU71

I have a pretty simple test. If I can do it and go to the temple, it isn't commandment. That is my test for all those who tell me the white shirt, missionary service, coca cola, r-rated movies are commandments. They aren't to me, they are counsel.

Unforunately, I think this is how most members approach a temple recommend.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Tex

Unforunately, I think this is how most members approach a temple recommend.

Yea, it is so great most members have people like you to set us straight.

Do you ever read what you say and think, "my gosh does my shit really not stink".