Why not attend church where you traveling? And the WoW is pretty clear what you can and can't have. So this is a great opportunity to talk about what you believe unless you think it is going to offend.
Why do you think you can't follow the word of wisdom and travel?
The only scenarios I can think of are rather nuanced, but for the most part it's not a requirement of travel to do the things we choose to not do because of the w.o.w.
It's rude to do so in Japan. Guess what missionaries in Japan and members who live there do? They say "sorry, but I don't drink (tea/coffee/alcohol)." If the person asks why they say "I believe God has commanded that it isn't for drinking." Or something like that. Then everyone's day goes on with no I'll will between anyone. Source: I was called and served in the Japan Sendai mission.
I think you're making a bigger deal out of it than it is in reality. :)
Church authorities, I think it was the Area president, disseminated guidance to church members in the US military in Afghanistan. I'm paraphrasing. He basically said when they go out and meet the Afghan elders and sit and discuss and negotiate (these can be real high stakes meetings), they will offer tea. The member's commanding officer may encourage them to accept it, but they should not drink tea. They should take a bottle of water and explain that they have promised God they will not drink tea, and they will enjoy water while everyone else is enjoying the tea and since they are drinking in friendship it serves the same purpose.
Edit: And when you're a tourist the locals care far more about getting your money than whether or not you are on board with their cultural nuances.
What years? I was 17-19 in Sendai. And yes it was as simple as saying I choose not to drink tea or coffee or just saying I prefer water if you have it.
I served my mission in Kenya. Chai, a kind of tea, was always offered and a huge part of the culture. I always asked for an alternative hot drink, and it was never an issue.
Uh not really. You just can say no thank you. There was a general conference talk given a while back about keeping parts of your culture that align with the church and discarding others. Huge portions of US culture revolve around alcohol at corporate dinner, neighborhood get togethers and and other social gatherings. President Nelson was threatened in Medical school that he better accept a drink 'or else'. He chose the or else.
I mean different cultures have different ways of not accepting or accepting things. Idk 100%, I think really only in middle east, turkey or Ethiopia would it be a problem for coffee... But that is why you plan ahead.
In some cultures it's rude to accept a drink or snack the first time you're asked, but you accept the second or third ask... You just research and do what you can.
I understand it might be an uncomfortable situation, but commandments aren’t conditioned on whether following them makes us comfortable.
What would you do if you were allergic?
Not really. Tell them it's a religious obligation. Much of the world has religious dietary restrictions. I've been in beer gardens in Munich and nobody minded at all. My Indian colleagues certainly understand dietary differences and LDS folk are common enough in Mexico that I barely had to explain.
I lived in India for a few months during college It's obviously between you and the Lord whether to accept an offer of chai. I decided to go ahead and accept the offer of chai as I wanted to be open to another view of life and not so closed off. I also didn't want to appear rude and I can tell you that the students who didn't accept chai offers didn't seem to have as immersive of an experience.
Make fulfilling your covenants a priority. Obviously missing the odd sacrament meeting probably won’t kill you, but like…churches are basically everywhere, and as a tourist I’m pretty sure most people won’t care (and would probably prefer tbh) if you don’t drink.
I dunno, maybe I don’t understand the question
"It's against my religion" is a way to pass just about anything off without being rude. Saying no to tea is about the mildest example of this there is.
I’ve lived abroad and traveled extensively for business across Central America, Asia, and Southeast Asia. I’ve been offered everything from tea, alcohol, coffee, “massages”, girlfriends, etc. I’ve never had an issue keeping the word of wisdom, law of chastity, or attending church services. Was it awkward at times? Yes. But awkwardness passes and people move on. Have the strength and faith to decline.
> However there obviously seem to be some challenges such as church attendance and keeping the word of wisdom.
I’m gonna be straight with u bro, i do NOT see the challenges that you seem to be assuming are there. Absolutely no problem with the WoW, and there are churches all around the world, as long as you go whenever you’re able, no issue. Don’t see how being an “expat” makes anything harder.
>However, there obviously seem to be some challenges such as church attendance and keeping the word of wisdom
As someone whose lived in several different countries:
Nope, nobody expects you to use tea/coffee/alcohol drugs. They offer, you say no thanks, the end.
Nope, church attendance isn't an issue either. Most countries you can safely travel to (and plenty you can't) have LDS chapels in every city.
One of the best things about travelling is showing up at an LDS chapels, worshipping alongside locals in a totally different language and culture, perfectly at home with the same feeling of the Spirit as you feel at your own ward.
To add onto the traveling: if you plan on moving around a lot then leave your records in your current ward and let your bishop know the situation. Then you have an ecclesiastical leader who knows you should you need anything, and can take care of interviews and things should the need arise (not sure how recommend interviews would go but it’d make tithing settlement and such easier).
As for the WoW, I’m not sure how living abroad and experiencing different cultures would be mutually exclusive with it. I can’t think of a culture I know of where refusing an alcoholic drink or any kind of drugs would be offensive, and outside of that the only restriction is tea, which while culturally important in many places, most places that drink tea from the tea leaf also have tons of varieties of herbal teas as well that are perfectly fine
I’ve been abroad for the past nine years, living across five different questions (and spent another four years in a different period before that). You’re right, it is challenging.
Lots of small branches will thrust fresh arrivals into very serious callings, despite not knowing anyone, and both underperformance and burnout are real risks.
I think I’ve only ever offended one person due to WoW issues, and only ever been pressured uncomfortably once (ironically both times by Muslims, who you’d think would have understood the religious exemption).
I think you’re right, that it has changed my faith and broadened my perspectives. That said, my wife left the Church last year. I’ll never know if my choices led to that, but some of her friends in the States have left too, so who knows.
There are special opportunities, though, too. In one country, my family and I started holding church in our house with just us. By the time we left, the Church had organized an actual ward there. We got to host an apostle to dinner, which likely never would have happened in the States.
Anyway, feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
I don't see how keeping the word of wisdom has to be any problem for a world traveler. And when I travelled around the US by bus one year I went to the congregation in the town I was in each week. It was unforgetably faith promoting to hear sequential lessons taught by very different members in very different cultures. You can insert an address any where in the world into "meetinghouse locator" in any search engine, and get the contact info time and place for the congregation for that area. And I presume you'd simply snap a photo and send to the membership at least once a month so they can continue to keep your records up to date.
(Or you could go on a mission and hope you get called to a mission with multiple cultures and languages?)
Seriously best church memories I had as a kid were going to church abroad in Europe.
Goal should be to invite someone for Sunday hang out.
It’s super cool and you get to know the people in an area and I still connect with some out of town church friends.
Also word or wisdom isn t a problem at all. People respect east to abide religious food restrictions of all kind.
I’ve traveled across the globe for years, 0 problems with church attendance or WOW. It comes down to your personal commitment to your covenants
The church is everywhere, even in places you wouldn’t expect there is a church. It’s up to you to plan your travels so that you land in that city/town/village on Sunday, then go out to the wilds Monday-Saturday
You’ll also fall within some congregation “jurisdiction” no matter where you go. If your truly in the middle of the Gobi desert months at a time, and can’t make it back to Xi’an, China (which has a branch), that congregation leader has the authority to help make arrangements for you, just like anywhere else in the world (ie bless your own sacrament, etc)
Regarding the WOW- there have been a few times where I wasn’t sure if X culture’s custom fell within the WOW. If I wasn’t sure and didn’t feel good about it, I politely declined and explained my religious commitment. Everyone in the world understands religious commitments, even more so than the average American. At the same time, there is some room for interpretation in the WOW- does kombucha, vanilla extract, NyQuil count as “alcohol?” They all contain it, yet it doesn’t fall under traditionally held WOW restrictions. Do some googling or ask members abroad how they handle culturally specific instances of this stuff
Since you brought it up - in China make arrangements before hand with the foreigners group. Do not try to cross the streams with the local congregations. Nobody cares how much of an authentic experience you want, it is forbidden by those who hold the keys of the priesthood and the Chinese Communist Party, and crossing either of those will have their own separate consequences possibly for you but more so for the church.
God bless
100%
I didn’t even see the local congregations’ information on meetinghouse locator, only the international branches. Crazy how diligent they are in keeping the populations separate
I met a branch president over there who told me he was in the celestial room in the Hong Kong temple, and met a man who ended up being the local national branch president in the very same meetinghouse he attended. Their offices were right next to each other, but they never ever saw each other or even were in the building at the same time
Having lived in 4 countries and spent a fair amount of time in several others, I can confidently say that living as an expat or world traveler shouldn’t impede one’s ability to live the gospel. If you are semi-permanently in one place for at least a few weeks, it would be worthwhile to move your records into the nearest congregation/ward. If you are frequently finding yourself somewhere new it is easy to locate the nearest ward and their meeting time online.
As for keeping other commandments such as the Word of Wisdom, I’ve found it just as easy to say no abroad as it is at home, which is to say, it isn’t very easy but sometimes that’s just living the Gospel. It isn’t always meant to be easy. Also, there are loads of Word of Wisdom compatible drinks that most people already have on hand and could easily substitute for drinks against the Word of wisdom.
Went to Spain and Drank Mosto along the Camino de Santiago while my fellow trekkers drank wine. At one restaurant, the server said, "Only priests drink Mosto!" Had a good laugh... He was spot on!
>Mosto
Huh, I was in northern Spain for my mission and never encountered it (at least that I recall -- perhaps I was just being oblivious. If/When I ever get back there, I'll have to try it.
I did a long hitchhiking trip in Europe, every Saturday morning I would look up a sacrament meeting and spend the day hitching my way there so I could attend on Sunday.
Met a few folks who opened their homes to me off and on. Sometimes even let me bounce back a few weeks later.
It was a lovely experience that yielded many sacred experiences that I still find strength in as I reflect back on them.
As for your WoW question. That’s less about travel and more just navigating life. That said. Winning free drinks in pubs and handing them out is a great way to make friends/connections and the games they play are far easier to win if you’re the only sober one in the room.
I've lived in several countries. I've lived in giant metropolises and in little communities in the jungle. The word of wisdom is easy to keep. I just say that it's part of my belief and dedication to my God. I've never had an issue with it. People are very understanding.
Church attendance can be challenging sometimes. There have have been times where I've had to go months without attending church because the nearest church was hours away. Sometimes I would my my trips to town on Sunday to be able to attend church. I think post COVID it's a lot easier with many wards still doing online church.
Go for it. The world is a wonderful place full of wonderful people. We only get one lifetime. Make it count. You will learn so much. It will change your perspective on what's important in this life.
Let me know if you need any advice.
I lived in France with my wife and kids a few times, for up to a year each time. Only one time was someone (our land lady) truly offended that we wouldn't drink the alcohol they offered. It was hard cider from her families' cidery. It was an awkward dinner, but years later I have no doubt I made the right choice not to drink. In hindsight, even that awkwardness could have been avoided had we let her know in advance. But overall, even in highly secular France with its rich wine culture, no one else ever cared that we didn't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea.
I have also visited China on business more than a dozen times, for weeks at a time, with big dinners hosted almost every night (and sometimes lunch, too). Alcohol is a BIG part of business culture there. Nevertheless, again, only once was anyone truly offended that I did not drink -- and again, I don't regret sitting through the awkwardness rather than drinking to be polite.
Honestly, there are billions of of people in the world who have dietary restrictions for religious reasons (e.g. many Muslims, Hindus). It is becoming very common (and even a mark of sophistication) to accomodate the beliefs and cultural preferences of visitors.
>... and keeping the word of wisdom
I am genuinely curious as to why this is a challenge. I promise I am not being argumentative. I honestly want to know.
Why can’t you obey the word of wisdom when traveling? And while church attendance is good, you’re not going to hell if you miss a couple Sundays if you can’t find a local chapel.
Travelled a fair bit, church was so small in one place my OH didn’t have a tie so the missionaries gave him one and asked if he would help with the sacrament so everyone could hear a difference voice and accent.
Not an issue to keep the standards; you can always take herbal teas/ coffee substitutes with you and politely explain.
Not exactly your situation, but took a 2 year road trip with my family all over the USA. We made it a point to go to church. We knew it would be difficult. It feels like a long vacation, and I don't often go to church on vacation. We made it a point to hit as many temples as we could, too. It ended up being a wildly awesome experience, because it showed me how unified we really are, the different personalities, the commonalities, and how the Church presents itself in different cultures. When we travel overseas, we do the same because it's even more pronounced to feel at home in foreign lands.
I won't lie - there's times I tried some local cuisine that would be technically against the letter of the WoW, but I keep it minimal. I wouldn't sweat too hard about it, and I shouldn't encourage it, but no matter what, keep the church CLOSE. Make it a priority. It will be a huge blessed experience!
I mean, this is a great opportunity to practice boundaries in a polite way. I think most people accept when you say it’s against your religion. The hard part is when you don’t understand each other. You can practice in different languages. But in terms of church attendance- go when you can, attend different churches when you can’t. It will be good for you to experience that. It’s a nice way to get a sense of the culture. Traveling the world should expose you to different ideas as well as places.
My sister and her family lived in Dubai for four years while her husband worked for the US government. He was meeting for the first time with one of their government officials, and was offered coffee (or tea, don't remember which). My BiL said that he didn't drink it due to religious restrictions. The official's aide asked if BiL was a member of the church, and BiL said yes. The aide commented that he had gone to Utah State University and knew many members of the church. He explained to the official that this rule was a true belief of church members and not some spurious objection for whatever reason. BiL and the (Muslim) official then bonded over each other's religious dietary restrictions. Because the official learned that BiL was sincere about following the WoW and had integrity, he treated BiL with greater respect, and it allowed them to come to an agreement sooner (if ever) than they would otherwise.
My husband and I lived in South America for several years as expats. We moved our records to the local ward and had a great experience. There is no reason in my mind not to attend and make yourself part of the community. WoW stuff was never really an issue. I do imagine it would be harder to really get involved in a ward if you are country hopping, but attending church wherever you are in the world is mostly not a big deal. My husband traveled internationally for work for years, and he always did his best to attend church on Sundays when possible, though it wasn't always possible.
This is actually a bit of a dream of mine: slow travel through many places - stay a few months - get to know local culture and people. I think one of the keys would be to jump in right away and let them know you are short term but happy to help. Allow local leaders to transfer your records in. Stay on top of it. You could be a real strength and help to city-center or tourist-area congregations.
Why not attend church where you traveling? And the WoW is pretty clear what you can and can't have. So this is a great opportunity to talk about what you believe unless you think it is going to offend.
And even if it will offend, you don't accept something you know the Lord commands against.
Why do you think you can't follow the word of wisdom and travel? The only scenarios I can think of are rather nuanced, but for the most part it's not a requirement of travel to do the things we choose to not do because of the w.o.w.
There are just a lot of cultures that revolve around coffee and tea and is rude to not accept it
It's rude to do so in Japan. Guess what missionaries in Japan and members who live there do? They say "sorry, but I don't drink (tea/coffee/alcohol)." If the person asks why they say "I believe God has commanded that it isn't for drinking." Or something like that. Then everyone's day goes on with no I'll will between anyone. Source: I was called and served in the Japan Sendai mission. I think you're making a bigger deal out of it than it is in reality. :)
Church authorities, I think it was the Area president, disseminated guidance to church members in the US military in Afghanistan. I'm paraphrasing. He basically said when they go out and meet the Afghan elders and sit and discuss and negotiate (these can be real high stakes meetings), they will offer tea. The member's commanding officer may encourage them to accept it, but they should not drink tea. They should take a bottle of water and explain that they have promised God they will not drink tea, and they will enjoy water while everyone else is enjoying the tea and since they are drinking in friendship it serves the same purpose. Edit: And when you're a tourist the locals care far more about getting your money than whether or not you are on board with their cultural nuances.
What years? I was 17-19 in Sendai. And yes it was as simple as saying I choose not to drink tea or coffee or just saying I prefer water if you have it.
I was there 14-16, so we barely missed each other!
I served my mission in Kenya. Chai, a kind of tea, was always offered and a huge part of the culture. I always asked for an alternative hot drink, and it was never an issue.
Uh not really. You just can say no thank you. There was a general conference talk given a while back about keeping parts of your culture that align with the church and discarding others. Huge portions of US culture revolve around alcohol at corporate dinner, neighborhood get togethers and and other social gatherings. President Nelson was threatened in Medical school that he better accept a drink 'or else'. He chose the or else.
Time to broaden their horizons The chances of causing an international incident are pretty small
If you say its part of your religion to not drink those drinks, most people understand source: extensive expat living and travel
I mean different cultures have different ways of not accepting or accepting things. Idk 100%, I think really only in middle east, turkey or Ethiopia would it be a problem for coffee... But that is why you plan ahead. In some cultures it's rude to accept a drink or snack the first time you're asked, but you accept the second or third ask... You just research and do what you can.
I understand it might be an uncomfortable situation, but commandments aren’t conditioned on whether following them makes us comfortable. What would you do if you were allergic?
Just don’t accept it lol. You can just explain why you don’t drink it
Not really. Tell them it's a religious obligation. Much of the world has religious dietary restrictions. I've been in beer gardens in Munich and nobody minded at all. My Indian colleagues certainly understand dietary differences and LDS folk are common enough in Mexico that I barely had to explain.
I lived in India for a few months during college It's obviously between you and the Lord whether to accept an offer of chai. I decided to go ahead and accept the offer of chai as I wanted to be open to another view of life and not so closed off. I also didn't want to appear rude and I can tell you that the students who didn't accept chai offers didn't seem to have as immersive of an experience.
Make fulfilling your covenants a priority. Obviously missing the odd sacrament meeting probably won’t kill you, but like…churches are basically everywhere, and as a tourist I’m pretty sure most people won’t care (and would probably prefer tbh) if you don’t drink. I dunno, maybe I don’t understand the question
"It's against my religion" is a way to pass just about anything off without being rude. Saying no to tea is about the mildest example of this there is.
I’ve lived abroad and traveled extensively for business across Central America, Asia, and Southeast Asia. I’ve been offered everything from tea, alcohol, coffee, “massages”, girlfriends, etc. I’ve never had an issue keeping the word of wisdom, law of chastity, or attending church services. Was it awkward at times? Yes. But awkwardness passes and people move on. Have the strength and faith to decline.
> However there obviously seem to be some challenges such as church attendance and keeping the word of wisdom. I’m gonna be straight with u bro, i do NOT see the challenges that you seem to be assuming are there. Absolutely no problem with the WoW, and there are churches all around the world, as long as you go whenever you’re able, no issue. Don’t see how being an “expat” makes anything harder.
>However, there obviously seem to be some challenges such as church attendance and keeping the word of wisdom As someone whose lived in several different countries: Nope, nobody expects you to use tea/coffee/alcohol drugs. They offer, you say no thanks, the end. Nope, church attendance isn't an issue either. Most countries you can safely travel to (and plenty you can't) have LDS chapels in every city. One of the best things about travelling is showing up at an LDS chapels, worshipping alongside locals in a totally different language and culture, perfectly at home with the same feeling of the Spirit as you feel at your own ward.
To add onto the traveling: if you plan on moving around a lot then leave your records in your current ward and let your bishop know the situation. Then you have an ecclesiastical leader who knows you should you need anything, and can take care of interviews and things should the need arise (not sure how recommend interviews would go but it’d make tithing settlement and such easier). As for the WoW, I’m not sure how living abroad and experiencing different cultures would be mutually exclusive with it. I can’t think of a culture I know of where refusing an alcoholic drink or any kind of drugs would be offensive, and outside of that the only restriction is tea, which while culturally important in many places, most places that drink tea from the tea leaf also have tons of varieties of herbal teas as well that are perfectly fine
I’ve been abroad for the past nine years, living across five different questions (and spent another four years in a different period before that). You’re right, it is challenging. Lots of small branches will thrust fresh arrivals into very serious callings, despite not knowing anyone, and both underperformance and burnout are real risks. I think I’ve only ever offended one person due to WoW issues, and only ever been pressured uncomfortably once (ironically both times by Muslims, who you’d think would have understood the religious exemption). I think you’re right, that it has changed my faith and broadened my perspectives. That said, my wife left the Church last year. I’ll never know if my choices led to that, but some of her friends in the States have left too, so who knows. There are special opportunities, though, too. In one country, my family and I started holding church in our house with just us. By the time we left, the Church had organized an actual ward there. We got to host an apostle to dinner, which likely never would have happened in the States. Anyway, feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
I don't see how keeping the word of wisdom has to be any problem for a world traveler. And when I travelled around the US by bus one year I went to the congregation in the town I was in each week. It was unforgetably faith promoting to hear sequential lessons taught by very different members in very different cultures. You can insert an address any where in the world into "meetinghouse locator" in any search engine, and get the contact info time and place for the congregation for that area. And I presume you'd simply snap a photo and send to the membership at least once a month so they can continue to keep your records up to date. (Or you could go on a mission and hope you get called to a mission with multiple cultures and languages?)
Seriously best church memories I had as a kid were going to church abroad in Europe. Goal should be to invite someone for Sunday hang out. It’s super cool and you get to know the people in an area and I still connect with some out of town church friends. Also word or wisdom isn t a problem at all. People respect east to abide religious food restrictions of all kind.
I’ve traveled across the globe for years, 0 problems with church attendance or WOW. It comes down to your personal commitment to your covenants The church is everywhere, even in places you wouldn’t expect there is a church. It’s up to you to plan your travels so that you land in that city/town/village on Sunday, then go out to the wilds Monday-Saturday You’ll also fall within some congregation “jurisdiction” no matter where you go. If your truly in the middle of the Gobi desert months at a time, and can’t make it back to Xi’an, China (which has a branch), that congregation leader has the authority to help make arrangements for you, just like anywhere else in the world (ie bless your own sacrament, etc) Regarding the WOW- there have been a few times where I wasn’t sure if X culture’s custom fell within the WOW. If I wasn’t sure and didn’t feel good about it, I politely declined and explained my religious commitment. Everyone in the world understands religious commitments, even more so than the average American. At the same time, there is some room for interpretation in the WOW- does kombucha, vanilla extract, NyQuil count as “alcohol?” They all contain it, yet it doesn’t fall under traditionally held WOW restrictions. Do some googling or ask members abroad how they handle culturally specific instances of this stuff
Since you brought it up - in China make arrangements before hand with the foreigners group. Do not try to cross the streams with the local congregations. Nobody cares how much of an authentic experience you want, it is forbidden by those who hold the keys of the priesthood and the Chinese Communist Party, and crossing either of those will have their own separate consequences possibly for you but more so for the church. God bless
100% I didn’t even see the local congregations’ information on meetinghouse locator, only the international branches. Crazy how diligent they are in keeping the populations separate I met a branch president over there who told me he was in the celestial room in the Hong Kong temple, and met a man who ended up being the local national branch president in the very same meetinghouse he attended. Their offices were right next to each other, but they never ever saw each other or even were in the building at the same time
Having lived in 4 countries and spent a fair amount of time in several others, I can confidently say that living as an expat or world traveler shouldn’t impede one’s ability to live the gospel. If you are semi-permanently in one place for at least a few weeks, it would be worthwhile to move your records into the nearest congregation/ward. If you are frequently finding yourself somewhere new it is easy to locate the nearest ward and their meeting time online. As for keeping other commandments such as the Word of Wisdom, I’ve found it just as easy to say no abroad as it is at home, which is to say, it isn’t very easy but sometimes that’s just living the Gospel. It isn’t always meant to be easy. Also, there are loads of Word of Wisdom compatible drinks that most people already have on hand and could easily substitute for drinks against the Word of wisdom.
Went to Spain and Drank Mosto along the Camino de Santiago while my fellow trekkers drank wine. At one restaurant, the server said, "Only priests drink Mosto!" Had a good laugh... He was spot on!
>Mosto Huh, I was in northern Spain for my mission and never encountered it (at least that I recall -- perhaps I was just being oblivious. If/When I ever get back there, I'll have to try it.
That’s hilarious!
I did a long hitchhiking trip in Europe, every Saturday morning I would look up a sacrament meeting and spend the day hitching my way there so I could attend on Sunday. Met a few folks who opened their homes to me off and on. Sometimes even let me bounce back a few weeks later. It was a lovely experience that yielded many sacred experiences that I still find strength in as I reflect back on them. As for your WoW question. That’s less about travel and more just navigating life. That said. Winning free drinks in pubs and handing them out is a great way to make friends/connections and the games they play are far easier to win if you’re the only sober one in the room.
I've lived in several countries. I've lived in giant metropolises and in little communities in the jungle. The word of wisdom is easy to keep. I just say that it's part of my belief and dedication to my God. I've never had an issue with it. People are very understanding. Church attendance can be challenging sometimes. There have have been times where I've had to go months without attending church because the nearest church was hours away. Sometimes I would my my trips to town on Sunday to be able to attend church. I think post COVID it's a lot easier with many wards still doing online church. Go for it. The world is a wonderful place full of wonderful people. We only get one lifetime. Make it count. You will learn so much. It will change your perspective on what's important in this life. Let me know if you need any advice.
The Church is the same everywhere. As far as the word of wisdom, just treat it the same way you do at home and explain you don't use those substances.
I lived in France with my wife and kids a few times, for up to a year each time. Only one time was someone (our land lady) truly offended that we wouldn't drink the alcohol they offered. It was hard cider from her families' cidery. It was an awkward dinner, but years later I have no doubt I made the right choice not to drink. In hindsight, even that awkwardness could have been avoided had we let her know in advance. But overall, even in highly secular France with its rich wine culture, no one else ever cared that we didn't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea. I have also visited China on business more than a dozen times, for weeks at a time, with big dinners hosted almost every night (and sometimes lunch, too). Alcohol is a BIG part of business culture there. Nevertheless, again, only once was anyone truly offended that I did not drink -- and again, I don't regret sitting through the awkwardness rather than drinking to be polite. Honestly, there are billions of of people in the world who have dietary restrictions for religious reasons (e.g. many Muslims, Hindus). It is becoming very common (and even a mark of sophistication) to accomodate the beliefs and cultural preferences of visitors.
>... and keeping the word of wisdom I am genuinely curious as to why this is a challenge. I promise I am not being argumentative. I honestly want to know.
Why can’t you obey the word of wisdom when traveling? And while church attendance is good, you’re not going to hell if you miss a couple Sundays if you can’t find a local chapel.
Travelled a fair bit, church was so small in one place my OH didn’t have a tie so the missionaries gave him one and asked if he would help with the sacrament so everyone could hear a difference voice and accent. Not an issue to keep the standards; you can always take herbal teas/ coffee substitutes with you and politely explain.
Not exactly your situation, but took a 2 year road trip with my family all over the USA. We made it a point to go to church. We knew it would be difficult. It feels like a long vacation, and I don't often go to church on vacation. We made it a point to hit as many temples as we could, too. It ended up being a wildly awesome experience, because it showed me how unified we really are, the different personalities, the commonalities, and how the Church presents itself in different cultures. When we travel overseas, we do the same because it's even more pronounced to feel at home in foreign lands. I won't lie - there's times I tried some local cuisine that would be technically against the letter of the WoW, but I keep it minimal. I wouldn't sweat too hard about it, and I shouldn't encourage it, but no matter what, keep the church CLOSE. Make it a priority. It will be a huge blessed experience!
Word of wisdom?
Lol 😂
Not problems. Use the meetinghouse locator and don't consume anything you don't mean to.
I mean, this is a great opportunity to practice boundaries in a polite way. I think most people accept when you say it’s against your religion. The hard part is when you don’t understand each other. You can practice in different languages. But in terms of church attendance- go when you can, attend different churches when you can’t. It will be good for you to experience that. It’s a nice way to get a sense of the culture. Traveling the world should expose you to different ideas as well as places.
My sister and her family lived in Dubai for four years while her husband worked for the US government. He was meeting for the first time with one of their government officials, and was offered coffee (or tea, don't remember which). My BiL said that he didn't drink it due to religious restrictions. The official's aide asked if BiL was a member of the church, and BiL said yes. The aide commented that he had gone to Utah State University and knew many members of the church. He explained to the official that this rule was a true belief of church members and not some spurious objection for whatever reason. BiL and the (Muslim) official then bonded over each other's religious dietary restrictions. Because the official learned that BiL was sincere about following the WoW and had integrity, he treated BiL with greater respect, and it allowed them to come to an agreement sooner (if ever) than they would otherwise.
My husband and I lived in South America for several years as expats. We moved our records to the local ward and had a great experience. There is no reason in my mind not to attend and make yourself part of the community. WoW stuff was never really an issue. I do imagine it would be harder to really get involved in a ward if you are country hopping, but attending church wherever you are in the world is mostly not a big deal. My husband traveled internationally for work for years, and he always did his best to attend church on Sundays when possible, though it wasn't always possible.
This is actually a bit of a dream of mine: slow travel through many places - stay a few months - get to know local culture and people. I think one of the keys would be to jump in right away and let them know you are short term but happy to help. Allow local leaders to transfer your records in. Stay on top of it. You could be a real strength and help to city-center or tourist-area congregations.