Recent studies have shown that Mormons may be on to something when it comes to alcohol. Turns out, Mormons may just be right about drinking, and governments around the world are starting to realize it.[1]

Alcohol Consumption is Increasing–Along with the Consequences

Some may argue that negative consequences from alcohol consumption affect primarily the individual drinking, and that no one–especially the government–has the right to interfere with personal choices. But the effects from dangerous alcohol consumption are affecting more than we may realize. Alcohol-related deaths have tripled since 1990 (as of 2014), and is the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Drinking-related violence has also seen an increase, and the world’s younger population is one of the demographics most likely to binge drink.

With the world’s youth drinking more and more excessively, the prognosis for their futures isn’t optimistic. Aside from the violence and crime that can result from alcohol use (like drunk driving), the world’s young population are doing significant damage to their bodies, effects that could plague them for a lifetime.

Governments Try to Step In

Governments around the world are trying to step in and manage alcohol consumption by taxing the product and creating “ceiling floors” (imposing a minimum price on alcohol), though these efforts can’t reach the root of the problem. Higher taxes on alcohol may make drinking more expensive, but within those demographics most likely to be susceptible to addiction are those who can’t technically afford the tax but who will shell it out anyway. And ceiling floors will likely harm the manufacturing companies more than they will persuade the public to go easy on the drink.

What Mormons have in this matter is something that taxation and legislation can’t address: doctrine. And when people can internalize the reasons behind a directive and make it a part of their inner principles and belief systems, then personal–and global change–can happen.

The Doctrine of No Alcohol

The Mormons’ Word of Wisdom is a piece of revelation from God given to Joseph Smith, the modern-day prophet who restored the full gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth after centuries of worldwide doctrinal drift. It can be found in the Mormon scriptural canon in the Doctrine and Covenants (section 89). The exact wording is this:

To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days–

Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints. . . .

I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation–

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. (verses 2-5)

The scripture goes on to prohibit strong drinks (including other varieties of alcohol beyond wine), tobacco, and hot drinks (such as coffee and tea). The Word of Wisdom also encourages healthy eating, such as consuming grains, vegetables, fruits, and meat sparingly. The doctrine encourages us to eat according to the season and makes promises to those who adhere to this code.

The Word of Wisdom supports other doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ. The Church teaches that our bodies are gifts from God, that we are created in His image, and that after we die we will eventually be resurrected with our spirits eternally reunited with our perfected physical bodies. Because of the eternal nature of our bodies, we have a responsibility to care for them properly throughout our mortality.

The Word of Wisdom is also doctrine that speaks to the power of obedience. Perhaps some Mormons (called “saints” in the actual scripture) could safely drink alcohol and not let it consume them. But the Word of Wisdom was issued for all saints, even the weakest one. And so the Word of Wisdom becomes as much a doctrine about health as it does about obedience to the word of God. The promise of the Word of Wisdom is marvelous:

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. (verses 18-21)

Seeing Worldwide Change

Legislation will be able to do only so much in addressing the problem of alcohol consumption. Even in the 1920s and 1930s when alcohol was illegal in the United States, black market drink was prevalent and the black market strong. Government intervention can reach only so far. Real and lasting change can come only through understanding eternal doctrine and living it. Mormons understand the reasons behind the edict against alcohol, and they currently stand as an example of a worldwide group of people who can successfully abstain from drink and other harmful substances.

If you want to know more about Mormons, the Word of Wisdom, and what Mormons believe, go here.

In order to understand why the controversy is misguided, one must understand some important principles concerning how the Mormon Church operates. Elder Packer is an apostle. The president of the Church and the prophet are roles both filled by Thomas S. Monson. President Monson is assisted by two counselors. He and the counselors form the First Presidency of the Church. Next is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of which Elder Packer is the president. This makes him next in line to be the prophet if he outlives President Monson. Only the current living prophet can declare official doctrine for the entire church and he cannot make doctrine simply because he wishes to. He must petition God for doctrinal changes and doctrinal changes come very seldom.

Mormon leaders, even at the highest levels, are not trained ministers. They don’t attend a traditional seminary (a Mormon seminary is a school-year class for teenagers). They come from other professions. For instance, our current prophet was in the printing industry prior to becoming an apostle.

Prophets and apostles are ordinary people. They are given the same gift of agency as is everyone and they hold personal opinions. Mormon beliefs don’t cover everything and so, where the Church has no official doctrine in place, Church members, including leaders, are entitled to hold whatever opinion they choose and to develop that opinion in any way they choose. The Church has frequently explained that science and history are not doctrine, and therefore, many church leaders, some of whom come from the world of science, are free to hold whatever opinions they would like to have in those areas. Where science and religion might overlap, only the spiritual aspects—those affecting eternal life—are of importance to the Church.

The Mormons have stated that they do not take an official stand on the causes of homosexuality and on whether or not the tendencies can be changed. Nor do they take a stand on whether or not a person should seek treatment to change and they do not recommend programs. This is because it is an issue of science, not religion. God does not judge our temptations—even Jesus was tempted, which makes His perfection meaningful. It is our actions that matter. Jesus taught that we must do the will of the Lord to be accepted into Heaven. While a person may be unable to choose his temptations or tendencies, he is free to choose his actions and this is where the Mormons focus their religious doctrine, because it is the only part of the subject that affects a person’s eternal life. Causation is for science, psychology and personal beliefs until God speaks otherwise. However, there can be no question that the Bible speaks quite firmly about the evils of homosexual behavior. The Bible is clear and consistent on the subject.

Elder Packer’s talk was published with a few changes. However, the eternal truths were not changed. It is standard for a speaker to be allowed to review the talk he gave and decide whether to publish it as is or make some changes. The written talk is considered the official version, the one church members study and learn from. This allows a speaker who inserted personal views, misquoted a scripture or simply misspoke—as any frequent speaker will tell you is common—to make certain the official version accurately reflects official teachings and not just the personal opinions of the aspects not canonized.

Official truth, however, cannot be altered. As Elder Packer said, you cannot put truth to a vote. When we stand before God, He will not evaluate our political correctness or our ability to match the views of the times. He will compare our lives to the eternal truths He taught us.

The bulk of Elder Packer’s talk was on the gift of repentance, a selfless gift made possible by the Savior’s atonement. Because Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, we are able to repent and to be made pure again.

The twin principles of repentance and forgiveness exceed in strength the awesome power of the tempter. If you are bound by a habit or an addiction that is unworthy, you must stop conduct that is harmful. Angels will coach you,and priesthood leaders will guide you through those difficult times.

Nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. Do you understand the consummate cleansing power of the Atonement made by the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer? He said, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.” In that supernal act of love, the Savior paid the penalties for our sins so that we might not have to pay.

For those who truly desire it, there is a way back. Repentance is like unto a detergent. Even ground-in stains of sin will come out.

What a powerful promise—that angels will coach you as you struggle to overcome behaviors you know in your heart to be against the teachings of God. Regardless of the initial cause of any sin, angels stand ready to help us get through the process of change. When we think of the millions going through recovery programs for various challenges and struggling to overcome them, it is extraordinarily encouraging—the giving of courage—to picture a personal angelic coach and to know that when the struggle ends, God will forget our sin as if it never happened. This, more than any other teaching, can bring peace to those whose lives are hard. It can help people overcome the bullying of those without compassion and the attempts of others to lead them back into a life of sin. It creates a life of hope.

President Joseph Fielding Smith told me of a repentant woman struggling to find her way out of a very immoral life. She asked him what she should do now.

In turn, he asked her to read to him from the Old Testament the account of Lot’s wife, who was turned to a pillar of salt. Then he asked her, “What lesson do you gain from those verses?”

She answered, “The Lord will destroy the wicked.”

“Not so!” President Smith said that the lesson for this repentant woman and for you is “Don’t look back!”

Strangely enough, it may be that the simplest and most powerful prevention and cure for pornography, or any unclean act, is to ignore and avoid it. Delete from the mind any unworthy thought that tries to take root. Once you have decided to remain clean, you are asserting your God-given agency. And then, as President Smith counseled, “Don’t look back.”

Read Elder Packer’s talk.

Read the official church response to HRC Petition.

Read the call for civility.

Read the official clarification of Elder Packer’s talk.