Dear Gramps,

I am 16 years old and am having a tough time of coming to grips with some of our beliefs as a whole. It appears as I read and learn more that elders and older ones in the church of LDS only mimic things they are taught rather then checking for themselves to find if they are based on sound biblical teachings of Jesus Christ. As I look over the untold questions of many, it appears that many are lost souls really not knowing how to think for themselves. A question that was asked for example was the wine that Jesus partook at the last supper of intoxicating nature. Well I know the church’s view which I disagree with strongly. The older men are not using their God-given abilities of reason and continue to hold on to the ideas that it was of grape juice origin. The Facts speaks for themselves, you would have to discredit the bible as a whole to hold on to such spurious beliefs. I have done considerable research on this subject and find it to be quite contrary to church teachings. Let me humbly submit a few. Frankly I don’t understand why the church has condemned the use of alcohol. God is unchanging in his ways unlike mankind. He is not tossed to and fro as the waves of the sea. There are a number of original language terms that usually designate some kind of wine. The Hebrew word ya’yin is found most often in the scriptures. It appears first in Genesis 9:20-24 where reference is made to Noah’s planting a vineyard after the flood and then becoming intoxicated on the wine therefrom. I see nothing in the account of gods condemning him for drinking the wine. The Greek word oi’nos corresponding to the Hebrew term ya’yin first occurs in Jesus’ comments on the inadvisability of using old wineskins for new, partially fermented wine, as the pressure developed through fermentation would burst the old wineskins. Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37-38. In Palestine the grapes were gathered during August, Sept. and October, depending on the type of grapes and the climate of the region. The vintage season was practically over by the time the “festival of booths” was celebrated in the early part of autumn. From early times according to scripture wine has been used as a beverage at mealtimes. Genesis 27:25; Eccl. 9:7. Jesus himself drank wine with his meals when it was available. Matt. 11:19; Luke 7:34. Jesus did not deny to the drinking of wine, rather his response was wisdom is proved righteous by its works. Wine was very much a part of banquets and wedding feast and other festive occasions–John 2:2,3,9,10; 4:46. Wine was not at first a part of the Passover meal but was later added perhaps after their return from Babylonian exile. It was therefore on the table when Jesus celebrated the last supper or Passover the last time with his apostles and was conveniently used by him in instituting the memorial of his death. On that occasion Jesus spoke of such wine as “this product of the vine,” and since it was perhaps seven months after the grape harvest there can be no question that it was fermented juice to the vine. Gen. 49:11; Matt. 26:18, 27-29. As indicated by Jesus and reported by the physician Luke, wine had certain medicinal value as an antiseptic and mild disinfectant–Luke 10:34. The bible also recommends it as a curative remedy in cases of certain intestinal disturbances. Paul counseled Timothy to no longer drink water but to use a little wine for the sake of his stomach and his sicknesses–1 Tim. 5:23. This was sound medical advice. Dr. Salvatore P. Lucia, professor of medicine, University of California School of Medicine writes: “Wine is the most ancient dietary beverage and the most important medicinal agent in continuous use throughout the history of mankind …. Actually few other substances available to man have been as widely recommended for their curative powers as have wines.” Wine as Food and Medicine–pp. 5,58. In the light of what we have considered are we to bury our heads in the sand to hide from the truth. Wine is a gift from God to mankind. It makes the heart rejoice and puts the heart in a merry mood–Ps. 104:15, Ester 1:10; 2 Sam. 13:28. Is it proper for individuals to shrink back from words of truth and give into church dogma and be taken in by negative digressive relative variation? The scriptures make it very plain that wine in itself is not wicked or evil but should be used in moderation at all times because moderation in all things is a Bible principle. Please give me your response and opinion on this matter Gramps. Please in all fairness and as almighty God is my witness to be sure to print this in your questions column. I will be patiently waiting for your response.

John, from California

Dear John,

How is it that in the wisdom of your 16 years you are able to correct and counsel the prophets of God? With all your research and study, do you really believe that only you has delved into this simple topic with depth and understanding, and that “the elders and older ones of the Church” only mimic what they are taught? You are not only naive in your conclusions but you are also arrogant- an extremely dangerous combination when investigating doctrine or anything else. Your studies are commendable but your conclusions are pure rubbish. Hopefully, you will learn a little wisdom as you mature.

Gramps