Mormons use WATER for Communion instead of wine or grape juice??

[amber_lux]

My question to you is this: WHY?

The temperance movement got started at about the same time the Joseph Smith started having his theological revelations. During his journey to the west, a number of temperance movement ministers hitched their wagon to Joseph Smith’s star. They convinced him that alcohol was evil, and presto, a new doctrine for the LDS church was created. Unfortunately for Mormons, Thomas Welsh invented grape juice after the settlement in Salt Lake City. Thus, Mormon doctrine called for the only available, palatable fluid — water.
(I am not calling the water from the Great Salt Lake, palatable. The water in the Jordan River might be palatable, after being filtered and purified.)

Amber

 

[yellowantphil]

Maybe they believe the water is turned into wine then into the Eucharist

 

[ParkerD]

I think it’s a bit ironic that Mormons use bread & water for communion. Many years ago, that’s what they used to give to prisoners in jail, as a means of punishment for them causing trouble. It was known as a ‘starvation diet’, only in this instance, it’s the soul that’s starving instead of the body.

Telstar,

The irony going on in this statement you made is quite amazing, actually.

Years ago, my wife and I had occasion to sing a duet of one of Joseph Smith’s favorite hymns, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”. I have no idea whether you would be familiar with it, or not. It takes some of its theme from Matthew 25:35-40.

It talks about a hungered stranger coming who would break bread and who “ate, but gave me part again…the crust was manna to my taste.” …“Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, dipped and returned it running o’er; I drank and never thirsted more.” ('Sounds like John 4:14 to one familiar with the woman of Samaria and the Savior and their conversation, and like Isaiah 55:1 and 3–a Messianic prophecy and promise.)

In verse six, “In prison I saw him next condemned to meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, and honored him 'mid shame and scorn…”

In verse seven, “Then in a moment to my view the stranger started from disguise. The tokens in His hands I knew; the Savior stood before mine eyes… These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

The further irony is that partaking of the communion in the way some believe it should be partaken, such as Latter-day Saints, is precisely because it is showing a whole-souled spiritual commitment and whole-souled spiritual renewal for the person partaking, through the Savior’s atoning grace and through the outpouring of the Holy Ghost whom He promised to send.

So, then, the soul who so partakes is not only “not starving”, but has shown the spiritual commitment necessary to fully receive the spiritual promises of Isaiah 55:3 and of John 4:14 and of Matthew 25:34 and John 16:13-14, not just at that moment of partaking, but throughout their coming week and if they continue to make that renewed commitment often by coming together often as a community of believers, then throughout their life.

 

[BartBurk]

Telstar,

The irony going on in this statement you made is quite amazing, actually.

Years ago, my wife and I had occasion to sing a duet of one of Joseph Smith’s favorite hymns, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”. I have no idea whether you would be familiar with it, or not. It takes some of its theme from Matthew 25:35-40.

It talks about a hungered stranger coming who would break bread and who “ate, but gave me part again…the crust was manna to my taste.” …“Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, dipped and returned it running o’er; I drank and never thirsted more.” ('Sounds like John 4:14 to one familiar with the woman of Samaria and the Savior and their conversation, and like Isaiah 55:1 and 3–a Messianic prophecy and promise.)

In verse six, “In prison I saw him next condemned to meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, and honored him 'mid shame and scorn…”

In verse seven, “Then in a moment to my view the stranger started from disguise. The tokens in His hands I knew; the Savior stood before mine eyes… These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

The further irony is that partaking of the communion in the way some believe it should be partaken, such as Latter-day Saints, is precisely because it is showing a whole-souled spiritual commitment and whole-souled spiritual renewal for the person partaking, through the Savior’s atoning grace and through the outpouring of the Holy Ghost whom He promised to send.

So, then, the soul who so partakes is not only “not starving”, but has shown the spiritual commitment necessary to fully receive the spiritual promises of Isaiah 55:3 and of John 4:14 and of Matthew 25:34 and John 16:13-14, not just at that moment of partaking, but throughout their coming week and if they continue to make that renewed commitment often by coming together often as a community of believers, then throughout their life.

Interestingly, the sacrament ceremony in the Mormon Church is the one part of their sacrament service that is performed in a liturgical manner with set prayers. They take it very seriously and believe through taking the sacrament they are renewing their baptismal covenants and receiving the forgiveness of the sins for which they have repented during the previous weeks. The prayers are actually quite meaningful.