The MormonThink writers have found this essay to be a very informative and interesting view on some of the details regarding the Word of Wisdom that most Latter-day Saints may not be aware of. Food repeatedly taken too hot or too cold may give rise to disturbances. [1] Hyrum Smith, “The Word of Wisdom,” Times and Seasons 3 no. The standard works4 have many scriptures admonishing us not to defile the mind or the body. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.”, There is no current Church policy that would preclude a bishop issuing a temple recommend to a person who consumes cola beverages. There seems to be a high level of confusion among Mormons regarding the drinking of caffeinated beverages. The Church newsroom even clarified in 2012 that the Word of Wisdom does not say anything about caffeine. Most vaping pods do contain nicotine, whether or not the users even know that. In a Jan 1997 New Era article, there is a clear indication that cola consumption is a matter of personal choice: …While caffeine has usefulness in relieving pain and treating some illnesses like asthma, continued use, even in small doses, can be detrimental to good health. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. Indulgence… destroys wisdom and virtue; it destroys faith and and hope and love…. Promises made in the revelation will be denied to the careless or the reckless. Such has not been the case with other caffeine containing substances which leads one to deduce that the reasons for forbidding coffee and tea are for are something other than their caffeine content. The Word of Wisdom lists numerous items which should be avoided or used. Have the Saints always given as much emphasis to the Word of Wisdom as they do today. Would the world come gladly to a state whose dominant religion asks members to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and even caffeine, three staples of international conferences? But it is a very valuable drug when it is used by physicians. Sometime prior to 2013, the set was changed to Jesus the Christ (Talmage), Our Heritage (1996), Our Search for Happiness (Ballard, 1993), and True to the Faith (2004). The Word of Wisdom prohibits tea and coffee, but we are left to make our own decisions on other foods and beverages which contain caffeine. Drinking tea is against the Word of Wisdom, the official doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Can one really live it fully?”. Church leaders have provided additional instruction since then “and have taught that substances that are destructive, habit-forming or addictive should be avoided,” the statement read. Also in 1918, the first article appears in the Improvement Era outlining both the evils of coca-cola as well as suggesting that it is not proper for Saints to partake of this drink. But we confuse it by asking if cola drinks are against the Word of Wisdom. False, actually. Learn how →. Dr Boud states, "While we are counseled against taking addictive substances or harmful drugs, the Word of Wisdom does not specifically prohibit caffeine. The original 4 volumes were:  Jesus the Christ (Talmage), The Articles of Faith (Talmage), A Marvelous Work and a Wonder (Richards), and Truth Restored (Hinckley). In addition, used in moderation, caffeine may not pose significant health risks. Joel H. Johnson, with whose family the Prophet was intimate, relates that on a Sabbath day in July (1833) following the giving of the “Word of Wisdom,” when both Joseph and Hyrum Smith were in the stand, the Prophet said to the Saints: “I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said ‘hot drinks’ in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. Tea retards digestion. “The Strength of Being Clean” can be found at http://econ2.econ.iastate.edu/classes/econ362/hallam/Readings/StrengthCleanJordan.pdf, [7] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1975/04/a-self-inflicted-purging?lang=eng, [8] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/welcome-home?lang=eng, [9] https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/04/the-church-goes-forward?lang=eng, [10] https://archive.org/details/improvementera2105unse/page/432, [11] The reference Missionary Gospel Library included A Marvelous Work and a Wonder from about 1980 to about 2000. It was the resulting side effects from overuse of the drug that gave me such concern in Mrs. Jones’s case. I was over in England a while back and a bishop asked me, “What is the Church’s stand on cola drinks?” I said, “Well, I can’t remember the exact wording of the bulletin, but I remember seeing the bulletin when I was a stake president. The Word of Wisdom doesn’t mention it.”  The answer given seems to indicate that caffeinated drinks should be avoided, but is not specific in prohibiting them. I am guessing that most Latter-day Saints already knew that vaping and e-cigarettes went against the Word of Wisdom. "The use of addictive or harmful substanes (even those as seemingly insignificant like caffeine) have never been permitted under the Word of Wisdom." Drink away, mate. [20] Coca-Cola is Okay, Pop quiz: Coke is OK, by Alex Beam, Boston Globe, 1/16/2003. For that reason, every argument used against coffee and tea, and some other arguments, may be used against cola drinks, and all other beverages containing caffeine, even in small amounts. President Gordon B. Hinckley told "60 Minutes" that Mormons avoid caffeine, apostle Bruce R. McConkie wrote that it violated the spirit of the Word of Wisdom, and even BYU campuses don't sell it. But other drinks are often marketed that contain caffeine. It seems confusing that Mormons won’t drink caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, but many have no problem with eating chocolate, drinking hot chocolate, colas, and other sources of caffeine. Now we know that both those … The harmful effects of the cola drinks have been mentioned many times. Because of such statements, some adherents believe that caffeine is officially prohibited under the Word of Wisdom. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.”[12]. https://becominglds.blogspot.com/2009/01/caffeine-and-word-of-wisdom.html Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that certainly tends to become addictive in its use, with the attendant side effects of nervous-system stimulants. In the 1918 Improvement Era on page 443 there is an article entitled, “Should Latter-Day Saints Drink Coca-Cola. Tag: Word of Wisdom Is Caffeine against the Word of Wisdom? While avoiding caffeine is a legitimate reason for avoiding coffee and tea, it is not the only reason nor is it necessarily the reason the Lord had in mind in giving the revelation. 8 Certain members have wanted to add substantially to various doctrines. A place to share odd Mormon things, doctrines, experiences. Donate to us by shopping at Amazon at no extra cost to you. In response to press inquiry, the Church responded as follows: “The Church’s health code,” spokesman Dale Bills e-mailed from Salt Lake City, “called the Word of Wisdom, is contained in a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The fact that the Presiding Bishop possibly made the statement that decaf is not against the Word of Wisdom is by no means a recommendation for its … Can you explain the apparent hypocrisy? What was her habit? We can take them up or put them down, but these bad habits very often and in most cases become masters of men; the habit is greater and stronger it appears than the individual. In July 1975, one article justified the church by explaining that they do not invest in items of questionable morality: …the Church does not buy securities in any corporation that manufactures products such as cola drinks, publishing companies that print material that is not consistent with our standards, producers of alcoholic beverages, or tobacco companies. The Church’s health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and “hot drinks” — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee. We complicate the simplicity of the Word of Wisdom. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.”[4], It is interesting to note that scientists and medical men have given more thought to and have conducted a more extensive research into the field of foods and food values during the last fifty years than during all the history of the world before, and that the results of their research harmonize with the Word of Wisdom. ” ” Extremes of cold and heat produce gastric catarrh. Even as a TBM I knew that caffeine wasn't against the word of wisdom and was a personal choice that some people made for themselves. Copyright 2018 MormonScholar.org. That makes no sense. Alcohol is. It followed that other drinks which were served warm and had vapors were also unhealthy. We are obligated as members of the Mormon Church to obey the precepts taught therein. Another article from the Oct 1979 New Era (which quotes a man writing during the 2nd World War) seems to indicate that the caffeine ban was in place in the 1940s: He shared some of his experiences with me, and then in the last paragraph he said, “Vaughn, I want you to know I have never had a beer or a cigarette, never a drink of liquor or tea.” He said, “I have never had coffee or even a cola drink in spite of all the pressure from the boys in my company.”. Food repeatedly taken too hot or too cold may give rise to disturbances. I say it does refer to tea and coffee.”[1], Early members understood the reason that hot drinks were forbidden. It appears to be distancing itself from a caffeine ban when it stated: Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine. 4 The ‘standard works’ refers to the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. First presidency statement:  Dec. 3, 1971: “In reference to the Church’s attitude regarding Sanka coffee. Vapors from these drinks were thought to be unhealthy. Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. A community dedicated to evenhanded, thoughtful, empirical-based discussion of Mormonism. I heard a brother sometime ago, perhaps to justify himself in his desire to indulge his appetite, say that he would not be surprised if someone would come along and attempt to forbid the use of hot soup. The full answer to this question lies in the area of medical opinion and reliance on personal discernment. 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