Too Bad I Don't Like Beer

[Guest]

I just read this blog post about the WoW:

http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2009/ ... -beer.html

It quotes the WoW about barley drinks:

"...and barley for all useful animals and for mild drinks, as also other grain."

It makes sense that this is referring to beer, also in context of the continued production and consumption of beer by Mormons until Prohibition in the 20th century.

But, do we have anything else that could confirm that mild barley drinks is referring to beer? Any related commentary or statements on the subject from 19th century leaders?

And does this mean that beer is technically proscribed by the WoW, and in order to be temple worthy, Mormons should be drinking beer?

[_Rambo]

WOW (pun not intended) I can't believe I didn't notice this before. You mean I could have been drinking beer this whole time. What do apologists say to this? This is very intersting to me.

D&C 89:17
Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

[_Called2Serve]

Barley water has no alcohol. The WOW is mainly about health, but might also be about obedience.

[_zeezrom]

This revelation was intended for aquatic life, not humans. Everyone knows barley can be used for "mild" purposes in fish ponds as an algicide.

[_Manfred]

I would be interested in seeing some 19th century statements as well. I was always taught that something like barley water was what was being described.

edit: Someone else beat me to the barley water...

[_Called2Serve]

I would be interested in seeing some 19th century statements as well. I was always taught that something like barley water was what was being described.

edit: Someone else beat me to the barley water...

D&C 103:34 "And I sat down for a nicely prepared barley water drink as I wrote the revelations given to me."

[_Buffalo]

D&C 103:34 "And I sat down for a nicely prepared barley water drink as I wrote the revelations given to me."

I assume that's a joke.

Joseph was a drinker.

http://www.lds4u.com/lesson4/wisdom.htm

Alcohol
The health code says we should abstain from alcohol. The revelation makes a distinction among alcoholic beverages, and recommends that some be used and others not be used. In general, alcoholic beverages can be broken into two types—those that are fermented juices or brews such as wine and beer, and those that are distilled alcohol, such as whiskey and rum. Because the D&C distinguishes between "strong drinks" and wine, it is safe to infer that strong drinks refers to distilled alcohol. Strong drinks are prohibited by the revelation, but wine is permitted for the sacrament if it is homemade and pure" (this does not imply that it is non-alcoholic). Also, "mild drinks" made of barley are recommended in verse 17. The barley drinks of Joseph Smith’s day were beer (5.5% alcohol) and "small beer" (1% alcohol).

I have no idea how accurate this is, mind.

[_Called2Serve]

D&C 103:34 "And I sat down for a nicely prepared barley water drink as I wrote the revelations given to me."

I assume that's a joke.

Joseph was a drinker.

http://www.lds4u.com/lesson4/wisdom.htm

Alcohol
The health code says we should abstain from alcohol. The revelation makes a distinction among alcoholic beverages, and recommends that some be used and others not be used. In general, alcoholic beverages can be broken into two types—those that are fermented juices or brews such as wine and beer, and those that are distilled alcohol, such as whiskey and rum. Because the D&C distinguishes between "strong drinks" and wine, it is safe to infer that strong drinks refers to distilled alcohol. Strong drinks are prohibited by the revelation, but wine is permitted for the sacrament if it is homemade and pure" (this does not imply that it is non-alcoholic). Also, "mild drinks" made of barley are recommended in verse 17. The barley drinks of Joseph Smith’s day were beer (5.5% alcohol) and "small beer" (1% alcohol).

I have no idea how accurate this is, mind.

I have no idea how accurate my statement was also. Sometimes we simply need to have faith.

[_Eyepatch]

Well, I DO like beer, and I have engaged Mormons on this very topic with some frequency. It becomes clear that the use of mild barley beverages (beer) is OK, because DC 89 makes a point out of contrasting distilled spirits with the weaker beverage.

Here are the relevant verses:

5. That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. 6. And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. 7. And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
-and-
17. Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

The antiseptic use of the "strong drink" brings to mind vodka or whiskey, certainly useful as an antiseptic in the pioneer/frontier days. If you simply wanted to outlaw ALL alcoholic drinks, then why the distinction?

I understand that "modern day revelation" has clarified the LDS position to include beer NOW...but back THEN, beer was clearly on the menu. The prohibition against beer grew slowly...the last beer that was acceptable in the Utah territories was "Danish beer." You can read about this in the great book, "Beer in the Beehive."

[_Buffalo]

I have no idea how accurate my statement was also. Sometimes we simply need to have faith.

That's a cop-out. What we need is evidence.