Athens resident Kate Kinghorn is a fun-loving and active OU student, but she won’t be spotted grabbing a beer at The Pub or even sipping a café mocha at Perk’s Coffee House & Roastery. A dedicated Mormon, Kinghorn is expected to refrain from substances such as alcohol and coffee among others that are viewed as harmful by her religion.
Kinghorn, a sophomore interior architecture major, is an involved member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has to deal with the daily pressures of college life while adhering to her own religious beliefs.
“It’s hard here because I’m one of the only ones that’s Mormon on campus,” Kinghorn said. “There’s not a large Mormon population, so there’s constant temptations where you have to rely on yourself and your faith.”A religion focused heavily on family values and wholesome living, Mormonism advocates follower abstinence in various forms. Mormons believe that the body is a temple and should be respected and treated as such. According to the Church’s official Web site, www.lds.org, Mormons are advised to avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea and illicit drugs in addition to remaining sexually pure until marriage.
Missionaries Elder Wat and Elder Patterson represent the Athens branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7795 Lemaster Road in The Plains. Kinghorn said that they forego their first names and go only by their “elder” titles upon beginning their missions.The missionaries said the founder of the religion and prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from God in 1833 called the Word of Wisdom. In this vision, God warned Smith about certain substances that were deemed to be unhealthful. At the time, little evidence existed to support his claim, but Wat and Patterson said that current knowledge about the dangerous effects of these substances helps to justify Smith’s revelation.
Although a law in the Book of Mormon advises that followers do not consume or use certain items, the church does not utilize threats or guilt to ensure obedience, the missionaries said.
“The church does not take away one’s agency to choose,” Patterson stressed. “They are all just recommendations that can bring more happiness in our lives.”
The Athens chapter of the church includes nearly 280 local members, but around 115 attend on any given Sunday, Wat and Patterson said. Non-Mormons also are invited to attend and see for themselves what worship is like.
For young church members who are struggling with social pressures or addictions, there exists the opportunity to talk to a bishop or branch president. If a Mormon makes a mistake, he or she can pray for forgiveness and try to right any wrongdoings as a form of penance, they said.Kinghorn remains faithful by keeping a small group of close friends and tries to stay in environments that she describes as “becoming” for a Mormon. To avoid the weekend pressures of alcohol and other temptations, she hangs out with friends, goes to movies or travels to cities like Columbus, where there is a larger Mormon population.
As far as socializing with non-Mormons, Kinghorn makes it a point to assure non-Mormon friends that she does not think less of them for their actions, even if she makes the decision not to partake.
“I just don’t want people to feel like I’m judging them,” she said. She also is involved in church organizations on campus, including a weekly Bible study group and a young single adult program that meets every Sunday. Although Kinghorn faces the same dilemmas as every college student, she feels that being Mormon has helped her to deal with the pressures of young adulthood and to look past temporary pleasures.
“My faith has given me perspective on what to look forward to,” Kinghorn said, referring to the Mormon belief that humans will return to an eternal life with God after their time on earth. “Being Mormon, everything I do is done for a reason, and it will lead me to a better life in (His) presence.”
Reader Comments
I have never heard such a load of lies in my whole life.
First off the Word of Wisdom is a commandment (see; "A Principle with a Promise", Ensign, May 1983, 53)). Mormons cannot get into the Mormon Temple without living the word of wisdom.
Second it says Wine "of you own make" and drinks made from barley are ok. (Doctrine & Covenants section 89)
Third it also says hot drinks are not for the belly, (NOT coffee and tea) does that mean they do not drink hot coco or soda's(if she is referring to caffeine)?
If you are going to make statements about your church at least have the decency to look up what you really believe instead of rumor and hearsay.
In response to your post, rulds2y, I didn't find the article you refer to "a load of lies." Some of the facts were not stated quite correctly; however, I feel that the spirit of the church was adequately represented. While the Word of Wisdom was given to the church as a revelation through Joseph Smith and is considered a commandment by active members of the church, the choice is up to the individual as to whether or not to follow that revelation. And the D&C may state that wine of your own making and drinks made from barley are okay, but one cannot consume alcohol and still consider themselves to be living the Word of Wisdom. Also, further clarification was sought regarding the whole "hot drinks" issue and the term hot drinks is considered to mean coffee and tea. As both these drinks contain lots of caffeine, many LDS do not consume soda pop, but that is not actually part of the WOW. I think by the reference the author made to having visited the LDS website, Amanda did indeed research her article. Perhaps you could have invited her to follow up her article with another more informative one, instead of trashing her. Also, Amanda did not state that she is LDS and so does not make statements about "her" church. If you are LDS, perhaps you should pray for enlightenment. If not, perhaps you should invite the missionaries to visit you.
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