I have another blog, and someone has reached out to me and we chat via email sometimes. I just got this in my email, and my reply is below. I probably should have planned it out a little more, and prayed a little harder for inspiration, but I think it is right.
"May I say something controversial and hopefully thought provoking? Did you know...that beer is ok according to the Word of Wisdom (being a mild barley drink), and that Mormons were one of the foremost producers and consumers of beer until Prohibition? And that the fact that Mormons consider it a moral standard to not drink today has nothing to do with revelation, but instead is largely based on ignorance? Not saying I have ever had a drink or necessarily ever will, but this is one aspect of a potentially very large and interesting discussion. And I know it's controversial :) and I am still learning more on the subject. But I thought I'd throw that out there."
My reply "I think it is great to learn things for ourselves, like you said you are still learning more, and so am I, so I don't want to crush your opinion with mine, so please keep that in mind as I ramble:Up until reading this, I had never heard any of that, but from where I stand, it needs more research on my end before I comment - I don't know any more than what you have told me and don't feel like looking it up so I will just give ya my opinion as is. :) We could easily get into the semantics of the Word of Wisdom. It may be ok. Here's my thing. I don't care. I have personally seen effects of people drinking beer, it stinks, and it takes away agency and humanity. Therefore, I am morally opposed to it. Call it ignorance if you will, maybe the Word of Wisdom says it is ok. Personally, I don't think it does say that, mostly because of beer's affects on the human brain. The Word of Wisdom is a principle to guide us, it doesn't say don't drink beer, and it doesn't say don't drink gasoline. Personally, I shall not drink either. And, I'm not sure it hasn't been revealed.
The thing is, the Word of Wisdom was given from a loving Father who knows more than we do, obviously, and can see the complete picture. The specifics that were revealed are just that, revealed in section 89. Sugar, caffeine, white flour, etc. etc., I'm not sure. I also don't know what it means by we are to use strong drinks for the washing of our bodies or something... I don't understand a lot, but I will stand up for what I know to be true, and I will turn to the One who does know all things to clarify my perspectives further on this subject and any other I come across.
I hope, as boldly as I felt I was there, that I didn't come across as antagonistic. If I did, I am sorry. My opinion hasn't changed, and I need to learn more. I am grateful for what you have shared with me and am excited to learn more with you.
There is always going to be a lot we don't understand, and semantics alone can be very vague and confusing. Then you add in trying to understand revelation, and it is very hard. And it is even harder to broadly apply it to the world, let alone to just one person."
AND I gave a talk today! It went well, I think. I felt really strong and bold with my preparation, and that the Spirit was guiding me. Hopefully that is the case and people's hearts were touched.
It was on Fellowship and I really have caught the vision, at least a glimpse of the vision, of how important fellowship is, and I've resolved to work at it a little more. We can trust in the promise that we are going to be ok and provided for, that we are not forgotten, and we can be there for each other. We need each other and we need to step up and help each other.
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