It's actually a myth that Mormons are required to avoid caffeine.  What is proscribed are “hot drinks”, this term having been clarified to mean specifically coffee and tea, and to include cold and decaffeinated versions thereof; but not including herbal teas.

  The source for this is what we call “The Word of Wisdom”, which is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants.  See http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/89

  Originally, this was given as advice, and not as a commandment.  In the early days of the church, members were encouraged to obey it, but were entirely free to disregard it.

  It has been narrowed and raised to the status of a commandment.  In current application, the Word of Wisdom means that members are commanded to abstain from the use of:

    • Strong drink (meaning alcoholic beverages)
    • Hot drinks (meaning, as I said before, coffee and tea)
        …and…
    • Tobacco

  This is “the letter of the law”, so to speak, which one must obey in order to remain a Mormon in good standing.

  The spirit of the Word of Wisdom dictates that we are to take care of our bodies, and to avoid using or ingesting any product that is harmful to us.  However, beyond the three things mentioned above, this is entirely a matter of personal conscience and choice.  I think the following statement by Spencer W. Kimball, who was the prophet and president of the church some years ago, best clarifies the principles involved here:

        “I never drink any of the cola drinks and my personal
        hope would be that no one would. However, they are
        not included in the Word of Wisdom in its technical
        application. I quote from a letter from the secretary
        to the First Presidency, ‘But the spirit of the Word of
        Wisdom would be violated by the drinking or eating of
        anything that contained a habit-forming drug.’ With
        reference to the cola drinks, the Church has never
        officially taken any attitude on this at but I personally
        do not put them in the class as with the tea and coffee
        because the Lord specifically mentioned them [the hot
        drinks].”

        (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 202.)

To answer the question that was posted (why do Mormons abstain from caffeinated drinks), rather than answer a question that was not (why are Mormons required to abstain from caffeinated drinks), here is my response. Some Mormons abstain from caffeinated drinks because they have extrapolated that since tea and coffee are prohibited and both contain caffeine, it must be the caffeine that is bad.

As has already been repeated several times, this is nothing but personal opinion and is not an official practise. It is simply personal preference and tradition.

To be honest, we don't really know why the Lord prohibited coffee and tea. It has been assumed that it is because of the caffeine they contain, but the prohibition does not officially extend to other caffeinated beverages. Some of our leaders have discouraged these other beverages, but this has never been raised to the same level as the prohibitions against coffee or tea. Others have proposed other reasons for this restriction, but we really don't know why the Lord forbade them.

By the way, herbal teas and hot chocolate are allowed.

Because we are to avoid unhealthful things. Caffeine, as a "recreational drug," is not healthful. Some (like myself) don't use caffeine except when we need a mild stimulant for health or safety reasons and prefer one which is relatively benign.

Far from being an excuse, when given the choice between pharmacueticals and caffeine, caffeine wins hands-down.

This answer is not to disagree with nor contend what has already been written. The simple answer is this: God has made it clear, since the very beginning, that we are left to make our own choices in regards to His commandments. God, in His infinite wisdom, understands that human nature cannot and will not be compelled to do something it does not want. In fact, human nature is about being free to choose.

As to the Word of Wisdom, it is something that is to be followed for a healthy life. In this evidence is found about diets and dieting, when to eat certain foods for the most productivity, etc. Further revelation can be received through prayer and meditation because let's face it, not everyone is the same. A diabetic cannot eat the same foods as someone with a heart condition. Also, every natural element on this planet has been put here for the benefit of man. Cocaine, morphine, heroin, tobacco, caffeine, wine, etc are all beneficial to the human race as long as they are used correctly. However, there in is the trick, using it correctly. Abuse is very easy to accomplish and care coupled with medical knowledge AND experience is should be strictly adhered to.

In short, it comes back to the member and their level of commitment to the Lord in obedience to the commands that are set forth.

Well, it's not really a hard and fast *rule* that Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffeinated beverages. There are the "black and white" guidelines that we've all come to know and love about Mormons, who consider these rules to be commandments. These include things like "no smoking", "no alcohol", "no premarital sex". You know, all the good stuff.

There are also the "grey areas". These are things that have been strongly suggested - but according to my knowledge aren't going to get you in serious trouble. You're just supposed to avoid them. These include things like drinking Coke or Pepsi, or perhaps watching rated "R" movies.

Why no Coke? Well, it has to do with another Mormon belief about always being in control of oneself. Things that can cause addictions are generally bad. Since we all know that caffeine can be addicting - that's bad.

The truth is that they cannot drink caffeinated beverages,although some will drink soda for "headaches".

Hot drinks are prohibited in general because of scripture, but in practice, it is interpreted to mean herbal teas and hot chocolate are usually accepted.

If you want to know the answer to this question, I suggest you read the source:

D&C 89 (link)

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/89


"Hot drinks" were later defined specifically as coffee and tea. Drinks like Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper did not exist back then, and are avoided by many Mormons based on the supposition that the warning here relates to caffeine, which also was not discovered as a substance until long after this revelation.

The main point here is that every herb and grain is created for a purpose and should be used for that purpose. Tobacco is good for wounds of cattle, for example, but it was never meant by God to be smoked or chewed.

The Jews also had/have a dietary code that proscribed eating meat from animals that have cloven hooves, like pigs. This probably saved them from a variety of diseases common in that day, and also served a symbolic purpose to early Christians, when Peter had a vision instructing him to now eat such things, as God had made them clean. (He was referring to being allowed to preach to the Gentiles.)

On a deeper level, Mormons believe that the "body is a temple" in which the Holy Spirit may dwell, and if we are addicted to drugs of any kind, including caffeine, it could disrupt our ability to recognize God's voice or influence, which are sometimes critical to our temporal survival (think DUI) and certainly play a part in our spiritual welfare and progression.

I think Proverbs 31 in the Old Testament is instructive. A mother tells her son that strong drink is not for princes, but for those who are ready to perish. If we understand our true role in relation to God, we will partake of nothing that keeps us from enjoying the full benefits or fulfilling the spiritually royal responsibilities associated with that role.

Put very simply, those who live by this counsel can expect to enjoy both spiritual and physical benefits.

As a Mormon myself, I believe that the discipline it takes to avoid certain things has helped refine my character. Will I go to hell if I drink caffeine? No. Will I limit my potential for learning and growth and lose both spiritual and physical benefits? Yes.

There are some erroneous facts posted on this question that some need to consider about tea. Tannic acid from tea is NOT the same tannic acid used in tanning leather. There is huge difference in the chemestry in the type of tannic acid in tea that happens to have the same name. (see teatalk.com/science/tannin.htm ) Further, recent research on tea suggests that tannin (the tea kind) also contain anti-oxidents, Medscape (a fairly reliable medical website) suggests that tannin is helpful in the treatment of liver encymes, diabetes with properties helpful in metabolizing glycemic levels, and may be helpful in assisting with treatments of some cancers.

The question posed concern mainly with caffeine. Tannins (the tea kind) are actually not toxic but medicinally helpful. Cultures around the world for centuries have been using tea for its medicinal properties. (google: history of tea)