“It's Not About The Sex” My Ass
  • Home
  • Preview book
  • Order book
  • Interviews
  • What is a cult?
  • About Joanne
  • Contact Joanne

Mormons, booze, and New Year’s Eve

12/29/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

What ​you might
(or might not) find
in a Mormon’s 
glass 

on New Year’s Eve,
and why

The brief, funny, seldom-told
​origin 
of Mormon abstinence
It was 1833 and Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith had a problem. Doubtless influenced by if not also a member of the Kirtland (Ohio) Temperance Union, Smith’s [only legal] wife Emma wanted her prophet-husband to obtain from God a revelation banning the men’s beloved tobacco, booze, and wine. When the men heard about it, they suggested that, while he was at it, Smith should obtain a revelation banning the women’s beloved coffee and tea. That, they reasoned, might make Emma and the other women back off.

Neither side was pleased when Smith produced a revelation where God advised against 
all of the above: tobacco, “hot drinks” (understood by all to mean coffee and tea*), wine, and “strong drink” (understood by all to mean hard liquor).
To ensure there was no mistaking that God had advised and not commanded, Smith penned an introduction stating that the revelation was a “word of wisdom ... to be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint.”** Moreover, “mild drinks” from barley and other grains were permitted. In those days, “strong drink” referred to hard liquor, whereas “mild drinks” referred to beer. If this was a curious exception, it was for Smith a convenient one. His fondness for beer was well-known.

Banning it all—tobacco, booze, wine, coffee, and tea—was a stroke of genius or serendipity. Both sides could claim they got what they wanted, while Smith’s introduction let them ignore the parts they didn’t want. Mormon life in Kirtland returned to normal.
Picture
After multiple failed attempts by Smith’s successors, in 1921 observing the Word of Wisdom’s don’ts became a requirement for temple admittance. By this time beer had been added to the list. Enforcement came gradually. In time, the Word of Wisdom was elevated to commandment status.

Even so, there are practicing, temple-attending Mormons who allow themselves the occasional or even the frequent indulgence. Many cite in their defense the non-existent scriptural reference “all things in moderation.” Others refer to Smith’s original assurance that the Word of Wisdom is just that, a word of wisdom, not a commandment.
​
This New Year’s Eve you may see a few Mormons tip a glass of real champaign, provided no one from their ward*** happens to be watching. The vast majority, however, will tip Sprite with cranberry juice, sparkling apple or grape juice, “mocktails,” or nothing at all. Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby describes 13 Mormon mocktails in this delightful column.

* Knowing that “hot drinks” officially means coffee and tea does not stop some from arguing that the likes of herb teas and hot chocolate are forbidden, and others from arguing that coffee and tea are permissible when served cold.
** The introduction now appears as the first three verses of Section 89 of Doctrine and Covenants, aka the Word of Wisdom.
*** Local congregation

0 Comments

How the Bible defines marriage

12/7/2015

0 Comments

 

Betty Bowers on Bible-based marriage

Everyone needs a refresher now and then. Click the PLAY arrow and enjoy. 
(Running time: 4 minutes 13 seconds)
0 Comments
    Picture
    Please share this site with friends by clicking on your favorites here:

    Reader reviews:
    Amazon reader reviews
    Audible listener reviews
    iBooks reader reviews
    B&N/Nook reader reviews​
    Free Inquiry's review of It's Not About the Sex My Ass
    Richard Packham's review of It's Not About the Sex My Ass
    Picture

    What's the difference between a cult and a religious cult? Click here.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012