“Wine of the Cup”

Bryan Richards

Some have assumed that neither Christ nor the Nephites really drank wine—that it was unfermented grape juice. If such was the case, Joseph Smith should have translated it "grape juice" instead of "wine." Clearly, the wine among the Nephites was an alcoholic beverage (Mosiah 11:15; 22:7-10; Alma 55:8-14). Christ also contrasted the wine he drank at the last supper with the grape juice which he will drink with the righteous in the kingdom of God, But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom (Matt 26:29, italics added). The new fruit of the vine is grape juice; the old fruit of the vine is wine. Other scriptures which speak of grape juice are as follows: Deut 32:14, Mark 14:25, Lu 22:18, DC 27:5, and DC 89:16.

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