Jon Hunstman Drank Alcohol In China?

[Doctor Steuss]

An excellent Ensign article on the subject: http://lds.org/ensign/1983/08/observing-the-word-of-wisdom-politely?lang=eng

Thank you for posting this, Calmoriah. That was a kind of fun read.

[Jaybear]

Institutional DISrespect may be a matter of policy with respect to their citizens, HOWEVER, when the official representative of one of their biggest trading partners, and a potential enemy state at that says that he does not, as a matter of strong personal preference drink alcohol, coffee, tea, nor smoke, somehow I don't think they are going to get too snippy about his refusal to violate his principles.

"Somehow, I don't think ..." Are you an expert in Chinese protocol?

Isn't the more important question whether God would care if he drank in this circumstance.

If God doesn't care, and Huntsman doesn't mind, why take the risk?

[Stargazer]

Thank you for posting this, Calmoriah. That was a kind of fun read.

I got a kick out of it, too.

I was especially interested in this paragraph:

In most countries there are now hot cereal-based beverages or herb “teas” that are easy substitutes for coffee or tea..

Note that Elder Wells says "herb 'teas'". In another earlier incarnation of this discussion, I observed with dismay how a member of the board stated that he or she did not drink herb tea, either, in observance of the WoW. As I have stated a few times, that is even more Pharisaic than usual. But here, Elder Wells states, in an official Church publication, that herb teas are OK.

[TNBu]

Huntsman has made it clear that he does not hold conventional LDS beliefs and he is not holding himself up as a paradigmatic example of Mormon living. I may not like his policies, but it seems unfair to criticize his integrity because he doesn't live according to beliefs he does not hold.

[Calm]

I got a kick out of it, too.

I read it years ago and it has always stuck in my mind when this topic comes up.

Note that Elder Wells says "herb 'teas'". In another earlier incarnation of this discussion, I observed with dismay how a member of the board stated that he or she did not drink herb tea, either, in observance of the WoW. As I have stated a few times, that is even more Pharisaic than usual. But here, Elder Wells states, in an official Church publication, that herb teas are OK.

It is unfortunate that herb "teas" are called this more often rather than "infusions" because it confuses people, but understandable considering how much easier "tea" is to say and write than "infusion".

[Mark Beesley]

I got a kick out of it, too.

I was especially interested in this paragraph:

Note that Elder Wells says "herb 'teas'". In another earlier incarnation of this discussion, I observed with dismay how a member of the board stated that he or she did not drink herb tea, either, in observance of the WoW. As I have stated a few times, that is even more Pharisaic than usual. But here, Elder Wells states, in an official Church publication, that herb teas are OK.

Interesting. I recall a discussion here, a year or so ago, on the Word of Wisdom. I recall one poster insisting that any beverage with the word "tea" in it was prohibited. Black Tea, Green Tea, Lemon Tea, Sage Tea, Mormon Tea, Rose Hips Tea . . . all of it was a violation because the Church defines hot drinks as tea and coffee. Some people . . . you just let them go on believing what they will.

What would be hilarious is if the same person who thinks all tea is forbidden also believed that if something appears in the Ensign it constitutes doctrine.

[Stargazer]

Interesting. I recall a discussion here, a year or so ago, on the Word of Wisdom. I recall one poster insisting that any beverage with the word "tea" in it was prohibited. Black Tea, Green Tea, Lemon Tea, Sage Tea, Mormon Tea, Rose Hips Tea . . . all of it was a violation because the Church defines hot drinks as tea and coffee. Some people . . . you just let them go on believing what they will.

What would be hilarious is if the same person who thinks all tea is forbidden also believed that if something appears in the Ensign it constitutes doctrine.

How about Worm Tea? Can't use it in my garden?

I made the point in the thread you mention that in England the evening meal is most often referred to as "tea". So, such a one who thinks that anything with "tea" in it is against the WoW better not visit GB, because they'll only be able to get two meals a day.

My experience in my first few days in England when we lived there for a time in 1969-71 was instructive. The LDS family I first became acquainted with invited me to stay for tea as evening approached. I declined, saying I had to go home, thinking to myself that they must be very loose with the WoW. When I found out that "stay for tea" meant "stay to eat the evening meal" I felt very pharsaic for a minute.