There are health benefits to tea and wine, too, but…

I’ve been vegetarian for 4 years. Doing so did not affect my blood pressure, nor has my mind become any clearer.

I’m not arguing against your own personal use and storage of alcohol, tobacco, etc. Go ahead. I agree that it is up to you to decide and it does not all equate to evil. But if one looks at the modern Church, compared to the rest of Earth’s varied history including all of the Lord’s various chosen people at different times and places, it is rather curious what a uniform system he has established for the Church. By system I mean not just the official Church, but culture, the knowledge, the attitudes. Even with the Church officially embracing different cultures, it is still very much the same everywhere in the world.

Is it is really *necessary* to wear a white shirt on Sunday? Must we all really walk and talk exactly alike? I could point out so many cultural issues that are completely non-doctrinal and in fact completely unnecessary to be a good member of the Church and to ultimately receive salvation. But if we have any faith that the Lord is aware of how the Church is progressing, we must accept that much of this is by design to benefit individuals in the Church and its own growth across the globe.

I am perfectly aware of the negative aspects of the self-righteous Mormon culture. I’ve experienced it. I’m not trying to justify it here. The Lord has warned us in the scriptures and from the modern pulpit that we should not become prideful and judge others.

But we must accept that certain attitudes and stigmas, while not completely within the Doctrine of the Gospel–and perhaps not necessary on an individual basis–are part of what the Lord has designed to benefit everyone as a whole. We must contemplate the large number of members of the Church which have been saved from so many potential problems simply because of the stigmas. If you can have your alcohol and not drink it, great for you. But I figure that there would be many thousands to one, children in particular, who could not have all of the same things you listed and never have it become a great source of temptation, abuse and perhaps addiction. It’s more than just having it… it the social meaning of it, the advertisements, the curiosity for many people… that can ensnare many individuals.

No, we should not judge you. But likewise, perhaps you should reserve your judgement against other who do live within the “narrow views” established in the Church. Is it really necessary to rebuke them for the “self-righteous” attitudes and sending them to hell for it, any more than they judging you? Please just consider that it is still probably wisest that most members don’t all have their own personal collections like you.

Okay, so go flavor your cookies with Kombucha or go drink a pint of vanilla extract. Nobody is going to do that. The point isn’t whether or not alcohol gets in your body… even from flavoring extracts. Nobody who has Valium after surgery has to worry about the WoW, but one must be careful not to justify its continued use to relax on the weekend. It’s all about the intended use and amount used.

Coming from someone who has lived a carnivorous life, my entire 33 years on this earth, I find your point difficult to disagree with. To me, it says it pretty clearly, it pleases the Lord if we don’t eat meat, unless famine, hunger, or the unavailability of other foods necessitate it.

If this is indeed the correct interpretation (as I think and feel it is) then there are a LOT of Mormons and others are breaking the Word of Wisdom… makes me wonder if that has anything to do with the rising depression and suicide rates in this world… just a thought.

Why are you calling people a “weak saint” because they eat foods with stimulants in them? Do you realize its nearly impossible to avoid stimulants in the diet? You would have to avoid all sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, garlic, onion, all peppers and anything spicy, maca, ginseng, artichoke, bacopa, ashwaganda, oat straw, lion’s mane, rhodiola, coconut oil, L-theanine, huperzine-A and the list goes on and on. There are natural stimulants in many, many foods because it energizes our bodes and focuses our minds. It is nearly impossible to avoid them. I think that more study and prayer should have cleared that up for you.

I use hibiscus tea, and sometimes butterfly pea. You may have to run a few batches to really clear out all traces of green or black tea. I use green tea in mine, and feel it is matching the WOW, as it is being used medicinally, and by the time it Is fermented, there is no caffeine or tannins left.

Hi Sharon! Do have a recipe or two for kombucha that is cultured in WoW-friendly medium, that you might be willing to share, please? 🙂