Why can’t Mormons Drink?
Answer Capsule
Latter-day Saints do not drink alcohol because their religion teaches that God has given a health law known as the Word of Wisdom. This law instructs members to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and harmful substances in order to protect both physical and spiritual well-being. Obedience to this commandment is seen as a way to show respect for the body, maintain moral clarity, and remain worthy to participate fully in Church worship. Abstaining from alcohol is therefore a religious practice rooted in divine instruction, not a cultural preference or social rule.
Doctrine Explained
The reason Latter-day Saints avoid alcohol begins with their belief that the human body is sacred. The body is viewed as a gift from God and an essential part of His plan for human growth and eternal life. Caring for the body is therefore considered a spiritual responsibility, not merely a health choice.
In 1833, Joseph Smith received a revelation known as the Word of Wisdom, which outlines principles of health and conduct. This revelation counsels against the use of alcohol and other substances that impair judgment or harm the body. Over time, obedience to the Word of Wisdom became a formal requirement for Church members.
Alcohol is believed to interfere with self-control, clear thinking, and spiritual sensitivity. Because Latter-day Saints place a strong emphasis on moral agency and personal accountability, avoiding substances that diminish judgment is seen as essential to living according to God’s commandments.
Scriptural and Official Sources
The Word of Wisdom is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 89. This revelation teaches principles of health and promises spiritual and physical blessings to those who follow it.
The Church’s official explanation of the Word of Wisdom is found in the Gospel Topics article Word of Wisdom, which clarifies why alcohol is prohibited and how the commandment is practiced today.
Church leaders have consistently taught that obedience to this commandment is connected to spiritual strength and readiness to enter temples, where sacred ordinances are performed. Guidance on this standard is outlined in the Church’s General Handbook.
Why Latter-day Saints Believe This
Latter-day Saints believe God’s commandments are given for the benefit of His children. Avoiding alcohol is understood as a way to protect families, reduce addiction, and promote clear thinking and emotional stability.
Because eternal family relationships are central to Latter-day Saint belief, behaviors that strengthen trust, responsibility, and long-term commitment are strongly emphasized. Abstaining from alcohol is seen as one way to support those goals.
This belief is not based on the idea that alcohol users are immoral, but on the conviction that God has revealed a higher standard for His covenant people.
Clarifying Common Misunderstandings
This practice is sometimes misunderstood as a belief that alcohol is inherently evil. Latter-day Saints do not teach that people who drink alcohol are bad or sinful by default.
Latter-day Saints do not believe that abstaining from alcohol guarantees righteousness or spiritual superiority. It is viewed as an act of obedience, not a measure of personal worth.
Faithful Affirmation
Latter-day Saints affirm that God’s commandments regarding health are expressions of divine care. They believe obedience to the Word of Wisdom brings both spiritual strength and lasting well-being.
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