Mormons And Beer: What's The Religious Stance On Alcoholic Drinks?

Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are advised not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine, as per the Word of Wisdom, a revelation from God regarding health. However, there is some ambiguity regarding the consumption of non-alcoholic beer, with some members questioning whether it is acceptable within the religion's teachings. This has sparked discussions within the community, with varying interpretations of what constitutes mild drinks and the intent behind the consumption of non-alcoholic beverages.

Mormons are advised to avoid the appearance of evil

Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are advised to avoid the appearance of evil. This means that they should not only refrain from engaging in evil or immoral acts but also avoid situations that may give the impression of wrongdoing. This guidance is based on the biblical passage 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which advises believers to "abstain from all appearance of evil".

In practice, this means that Mormons are encouraged to be mindful of how their actions may be perceived by others and to avoid any behaviour that could cause another person to stumble or be led into sin. For example, a Mormon should not drink alcohol in public, even if it is a non-alcoholic beverage, as it may create the impression that they are consuming alcohol, which is prohibited by the Word of Wisdom, a health code followed by the faithful.

The Word of Wisdom, established by Joseph Smith in 1833, advises against the consumption of alcohol, stating that "strong drinks are not for the belly." However, it does not explicitly prohibit non-alcoholic beverages, and some Mormons may choose to consume them. Nevertheless, the appearance of evil is also considered important, and some Mormons may choose to avoid non-alcoholic beer to prevent any potential misunderstanding or to set a good example for others.

The avoidance of the appearance of evil also extends beyond alcohol consumption. Mormons are encouraged to be mindful of their actions in all areas of life, including their choice of company, entertainment, and behaviour. For example, a Mormon should not frequent bars or other establishments primarily associated with alcohol consumption, even if they only intend to consume non-alcoholic beverages. Similarly, they may choose to avoid certain types of media or entertainment that could be seen as immoral or contrary to their values.

By avoiding the appearance of evil, Mormons strive to maintain their integrity and uphold their commitment to living a righteous life. It is a reminder that their actions can influence others and that they should always act in a way that reflects their values and beliefs, even in situations where the boundaries between right and wrong may seem blurred.

Non-alcoholic beer may contain up to 0.5% alcohol

Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe they are divinely advised not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine. This belief is based on a revelation from God received by the Church prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom provides guidance on which foods and drinks are beneficial and harmful to the body.

While the Word of Wisdom advises against alcohol consumption, it does not specifically address non-alcoholic beer. Non-alcoholic beer is legally defined in the United States as any malt beverage containing up to 0.5% alcohol. This means that non-alcoholic beer can contain a small amount of alcohol while still being labelled as "non-alcoholic".

The presence of alcohol, even in small quantities, may be a concern for some Mormons. The decision to consume non-alcoholic beer is a personal choice and may depend on individual interpretations of the Word of Wisdom. Some may choose to avoid non-alcoholic beer entirely to adhere strictly to the guidance against alcohol consumption.

Additionally, the decision may also be influenced by the potential for misperception by others. Consuming a beverage that resembles beer, even if non-alcoholic, may create the appearance of drinking alcohol and potentially cause confusion or concern within the Mormon community.

Ultimately, the choice to drink non-alcoholic beer is a matter of personal judgment and comfort level for each individual Mormon. Some may choose to avoid it altogether to align with the spirit of the Word of Wisdom and to avoid any potential misunderstanding or negative perception.

The Word of Wisdom outlines which substances to avoid

The Word of Wisdom is a revelation from God regarding health, received by Church prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It outlines which foods and drinks are beneficial for the body and which substances should be avoided. According to the Word of Wisdom, drinking alcohol is not good, and "strong drinks are not for the belly". This includes beer and wine, which are prohibited for Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Word of Wisdom does include an exception for sacramental wine, as long as it is "of your own make". However, early in the Church's history, wine was replaced with water for use in the sacrament.

While Mormons are free to choose whether or not they drink alcohol, abstaining from it is necessary to qualify for baptism and temple worship. They believe that obedience to the Word of Wisdom will result in blessings of improved physical and spiritual well-being.

The Word of Wisdom's prohibition on alcohol has been interpreted to include non-alcoholic beer, which some members of the Church believe is still unacceptable. This is because non-alcoholic beer contains up to 0.5% alcohol, and drinking several could result in an abnormal level of alcohol in the bloodstream. However, some members of the Church argue that non-alcoholic beer is acceptable, as it is technically not alcoholic, and is explicitly allowed in the Word of Wisdom, which permits "mild drinks" of barley and other grains.

Mormons are free to choose whether or not to drink alcohol

Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that they are advised by God not to consume alcohol. This belief is based on a revelation received by the Church prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, known as the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom provides guidance on which foods and drinks are beneficial and harmful to the body. It specifically mentions that "strong drinks are not for the belly".

However, it is important to note that, while Mormons are strongly encouraged to follow the Word of Wisdom, they are free to make their own choices regarding alcohol consumption. This freedom of choice is in line with the belief in individual agency, which is a fundamental principle in Mormon theology. Each Mormon can decide whether or not to drink alcohol, but this decision may have religious consequences. For example, to be eligible for baptism and temple worship, they must abstain from alcohol and adhere to the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom also includes an exception for sacramental wine, as long as it is "of your own make". Nonetheless, early in the Church's history, wine was replaced with water for sacramental use.

In recent times, there has been a shift towards non-alcoholic beverages, not only among Mormons but also in wider society. This trend is driven by health and wellness concerns, as well as a desire to avoid the negative consequences of alcohol consumption, such as hangovers and compromising social media photos. As a result, non-alcoholic drinks are becoming more popular and accessible, allowing Mormons to more easily adhere to the Word of Wisdom while still socialising and enjoying a variety of drinks.

Mormons may drink sacramental wine

Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe they are divinely advised not to consume alcohol, including beer and wine. However, there is an exception for sacramental wine, which is "of your own make".

Sacramental wine, also known as Communion wine, altar wine, or wine for consecration, is a wine made from grapes and intended for use in the celebration of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. It is typically consumed after sacramental bread and holds symbolic importance for Christians, representing the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the redemption of humanity.

While early Christians used wine in their sacrament services, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now uses water instead of wine. This change was instituted by Church leaders in the early 20th century, following the revelation received by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1830, which states:

> "It mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory."

This revelation gives Latter-day Saints permission to substitute any emblems for the original bread and wine, and since "it mattereth not" what is used for the sacrament, water is now used, as it is inexpensive and readily available.

However, it is important to note that the exception for sacramental wine in the Word of Wisdom refers specifically to "pure wine of the grape of the vine of your own make". Therefore, Mormons may drink sacramental wine that is made by themselves and conforms to this description.

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