Something Funny Happened!

I love how you approached it, Bridget. Many I know in the church don’t accept the wine, and that can be quite offensive as all they are trying to do is be polite. Your approach to graciously accept it, but let them know YOU don’t drink is absolutely a great way to handle it, IMO!

I agree, this was handled well. Someone making a nice gesture doesn’t need to have the bottle returned to try to make some point about the Word of Wisdom or be preached to. The fact you stated you don’t drink but you really appreciate it sends the right message, but politely lets them know next time you’d prefer the brownies (or whatever) . If you just said nothing, they might bring a bottle next time…and then it would be even more uncomfortable.

I had a neighbor of ours give us some home made Irish Creme de menthe for a christmas gift. We handled it the same way, we told them we don’t drink but really appreciated the thought. We asked if they would like it back or if we share it to our friends who do drink. They said they had enough, so we could pass it on. We passed it on and our friends LOVED it and hope our neighbors give us some every year. We haven’t had any since. But we are still on good terms with our neighbors.

As an active member who does not have a problem with drinking alcohol on occassion myself…It is interesting that I have actually had several people over the years express positive impressions toward the Church because they claim I lead them to think Mormons can be “normal” and not the uptight stereotypes they had perceived. Of course I recognize that many members would find my use of alcohol around non-members as the epitome of poor missionary work. Such is the life of a confused Mormon I suppose.

Coug – I have had MANY experiences similar to yours, and have done, IMO, some great “missionary” work over a beer. I have also heard that “normal” sentiment often from non-members — like “if I had know Mormons weren’t all (fill in your own condensing term here) I might have looked into the church when I was younger…” My own family just feels like I am “justifying” my actions, but whatever, I no longer feel guilty about it – at all. From my EXPERIENCE, my unorthodox view of the WofW has done more good for the church than I ever did when I was a TBM. That is just my opinion and from what I understand from spending time with my non-member acquaintances. Just my opinion.

I once told a non-member friend that I felt bad about being a “bad example.” He laughed hysterically, and told me that I was an idiot to think so, and that if I wanted to follow all the Mormon traditions that would be fine with him, but there would probably be no way to find to continue with our current relationship and that he would just be uncomfortable with me. We might still be friends, but we certainly couldn’t be “close” friends…

I think there are those who would be impressed with Mormons who obeyed the WofW strictly to the letter of the law — I think there are some who are impressed with those who maybe don’t.

I sometimes think we Mormons make more out of it than our non-member friends do. For the most part, I don’t think they care one way or the other.

I do try to be respectful around my family and other Mormons, and will refrain from “consuming” when in their presence – out of respect – much like I would do certain things differently around a person of Jewish faith or a Muslim etc.

I would have accepted the wine out of respect for the neighbor.