Mormons do not drink alcohol. They are prohibited from consuming any harmful substances for religious reasons. Mormons believe that a heavenly premonition revealed substances that are safe and unsafe to consume, alcohol being one of the unsafe ones. Mormons who drink alcohol will be suspended from entering the church, but generally, religious figures are more set on helping people who erred rather than punishing them.
Mormons are a fascinating group of people. Their rich history, religious practices, and societal structure can feel a bit alien to the outside eye, but it is important to remember that they are every bit as human as anyone else in this world. They have the same desires and the same frailties as well.
One of these frailties is consuming alcohol. Although heavy drinking should definitely be discouraged, Mormons have specific rules regarding booze. But what are these rules exactly? Can Mormons drink alcohol? And what happens if a Mormon does drink?
In this article, we deal with the different topics around the Mormon community’s relationship with alcohol and showcase the different intricacies of drinking as a Mormon.
Can Mormons Drink Alcohol?
Mormons are prohibited from drinking alcohol. Although they are not physically incapable, their religious beliefs do not let them drink booze under any circumstances.
The reason Mormons do not drink alcohol is primarily religious. They believe that in 1833, God gave a revelation to humanity through the prophet Joseph Smith. This revelation is called the Word of Wisdom, a set of rules and instructions on how to live a healthy and godly life. The Word of Wisdom is found in the Doctrine of Covenants.
In the Word of Wisdom, there are a set of food items and substances God deemed unhealthy and unsafe. These are substances that should never be consumed under any circumstances by faithful Mormons. Among these substances is alcohol.
As the Word of Wisdom is one of the most sacred documents of the Mormons, they abide by it throughout their lives, refraining from ever drinking any alcoholic beverages. Other substances that are banned in the Word of Wisdom include:
- Tobacco
- Tea
- Coffee
- Drugs
What Happens If A Mormon Drinks Alcohol?
If a Mormon drinks alcohol, they could get suspended from attending church, but it is common to get away with a disciplinary talk. The Mormon church is generally uninterested in punishment, and Mormons follow the Word of Wisdom out of faith rather than fear repercussions.
Mormons normally do not get any formal punishment for drinking alcohol. The gravest consequence of a Mormon getting drunk is suspending their temple privileges, as they can only participate in religious practices if they promise to abide by the Word of Wisdom.
Churches and religious figureheads do not punish members who drink alcohol. Mormons tend to be communal, and they are more interested in helping one another rather than punishing. Members do not abide by the Word of Wisdom due to fear of being punished, but rather due to devotion to God and faith.
It is important to note, however, that although formal punishment is not administered, drinking Mormons can be subject to societal contempt. Strict environments can heavily discipline their erring members, just as in any other part of society. Especially stringent families may even banish or disinherit repeat offenders.
Another way alcohol drinkers may be punished is through indirect action. If a Mormon gets drunk and does something that can be formally punished by the Church (for example, getting into a physical fight), they will be persecuted accordingly to the Mormon code.
Are There Mormons Who Drink Alcohol?
Mormons are free to choose how they act, and there are Mormons who drink alcohol from time to time. Members who violate the Word of Wisdom will have to come to terms with the morality of their actions, but they are not formally disciplined by outer sources.
Mormons are no different from any other religious group in a way that they are susceptible to sinning and violating their own moral code. In a similar way that a Christian might go against the Ten Commandments or a Muslim could act in disaccord with the Quran, Mormons do not explicitly abide by the Word of Wisdom and may drink alcohol.
As with any other religion, faithful Mormons who sin must come to terms with their own actions and seek redemption through different means. Mormons who consume alcohol or violate the Word of Wisdom through any means are unable to feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost, which is an important part of their religious practices.
It is important to note that drinking alcohol is not such a cardinal sin that there is no way to repent. Faithful members who face their morality pray for forgiveness, abstain from further wrongdoings, seek indulgences through good deeds, and eventually come to terms with their own choices. Alcohol-drinking Mormons may repent in several ways:
- Kneel and pray
- Confess and admit guilt
- Plead for help
- Seek forgiveness
- Repent through good actions
Conclusion
Mormons do not drink alcohol. They believe that God revealed guidance and a set of rules in 1833 called the Word of Wisdom, which includes a set of substances that are harmful to consume, such as alcohol, hot beverages, and tobacco. Faithful Mormons abstain from drinking alcohol due to religious reasons. Repentance after drinking alcohol is common, and it is done through praying, confessing guilt and shame, asking for help, and committing good deeds.
There is no formal punishment for drinking alcohol. Violating members can get a talking-to and may have their right to attend church suspended, but all Mormons have the ultimate free will to choose as they please.
Faithful Mormons must come to terms with their own actions and face the moral and spiritual consequences of drinking alcohol. If a Mormon’s alcoholism leads to further wrongdoings that are punishable by the Church, such as physical confrontation, they will be reprimanded accordingly to Mormon doctrine.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
