[a-train]

Joseph Smith owned a bar in Nauvoo (after D&C 89 was given). Jesus not only drank wine, but used his miraculous power to provide it for an entire wedding reception. Noah passed out in a naked drunken state (after the flood). The wine offered before the LORD at the tabernacle was to be "strong wine" (Numb. 28:7). Further, The Word of Wisdom explicitly condones wine for the purposes of "assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments". (D&C 89:5). Jesus administered wine not only to his disciples, but to the Nephites (3 Nephi 20). It also says that barley is to be used "for mild drinks, as also other grain". What are mild drinks made from barley? Beer.

I think many of us are judgmental of those who drink alcoholic beverages. The commandment to entirely abstain from alcohol is a modern one only, and it is extended only to the Saints of the LDS Church. It is NOT akin to sexual immorality, robbery, murder, or any such sins against other people.

We have built up a society within the Church that hates drugs and alcohol. However, we must be very careful not to become modern Pharisees who find ourselves more righteous than the rest of the world and hold it to standards which are NOT part of biblical teaching. There are some of us who would consider a righteous and honest Christian a rascal just because he drinks beer. Meanwhile, a self-righteous Mormon who abstains from beer is considered a saint.

Not even the Saints in Joseph Smith's day had a commandment to abstain from beer. We must remember this reality and look on others with the beam removed from our eyes.

-a-train