A few years ago, I was hanging out with a few of my colleagues from work, and I was introduced to a new person who had just been hired onto our team.

We were at a restaurant, and this new colleague said to me, “Hey I’m gonna head inside and grab a beer. Do you want me to grab you one?”

I told him thanks for the offer, but that I didn’t drink.

He responded, “Oh! Do you not drink because your church tells you not to drink, or is it a personal choice?”

What a question, right?

I only had a split-second to gather my thoughts.

But I was able to respond to him:

“Well, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, if that’s what you’re getting at, so yes, my religion encourages us not to drink alcohol. But it is also a personal decision that I’ve made to follow that advice and not drink alcohol.”

He very graciously said, “Of course, of course, I get it!”

(And for the record, we worked together very well afterwards, so he obviously didn’t think I was too crazy for my response!)

I knew that he really wanted to just know whether or not I was “Mormon” or not. I get it.

But… I really wanted to let him know that I didn’t just not drink alcohol because my church told me not to.

I had also made a personal decision to follow the counsel, and have felt that decision confirmed to me many times.

In Doctrine and Covenants Section 37, the Lord gives the big, life-altering commandment to ask the Saints to move from New York to Ohio!

But the Lord ends this commandment with this interesting note in verse 4:

“Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself.”

The Lord gives commandments.

The church gives guidelines.

Our prophet gives challenges.

Our Bishop gives us callings.

And yet, we always get to choose for ourselves.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print

6 Responses

  1. verse 4 is the GEM (Get an Enlightened Message) from section 37. thanks for emphasizing it. Agency is a gift and a treasure.

  2. I have been in situations similar; and sometimes got asked why I don’t drink. I love the way you responded; and will remember that. But at my age now, I’m seldom in that position; but will forward your “snippet” along to some friends and family.
    Thank you!!! And God Bless You!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Keep Studying

Related Posts

Asking for help 

Those silly Nephites. ⁣ They were struggling for their lives. They were being slaughtered. Their peace was being destroyed. ⁣ And yet they didn’t call

Church-y Christmas Gift Guide 2024

With the holiday season upon us, are you looking to gift something that is memorable and meaningful?! I have gotten the opportunity to connect with

Team Lead 

After my first year teaching, I felt like I was drowning. ⁣ Teaching middle school was tough. I prayed that there would be some kind

Mormon refused

Mormon refused to be the military leader anymore. Not out of hatred, or disgust, or annoyance. ⁣ But out of love. ⁣ “I… had loved

Remembered 14 years later

MORMON REMEMBERED what Ammaron said to him as a 10-year-old boy. Do you remember anything that someone told you when you were 10 years old?