Do the Mormons really discourage their members from drinking coffee?

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Mormon eating and drinking customs

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	Do the Mormons really discourage their members from drinking coffee? By Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here Asked Aug 19 2007 8:27AM	36 Pts Rate Question

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Top Answer out of 11

by Glenn Blaylock on Aug 19, 2007 at 12:57 pm Permalink

Yes, it is true that we discourage the consumption of coffee. We do not know specifically why this has been discouraged, but it is. However, if you look at the revelation in which it was banned, you will find that all of the banned substances are habit forming to out right addicting.

Rezwreckdid_simplykate. wrote in a comment, "I think most sects have their own taboos. As to why? I wouldn't look for logic." Maybe you should look a little closer. There is a very logical reason for these restrictions. We believe that we are here to learn how to make choices between good and bad. In order to make these choices, we have to be free to choose. If we allow ourselves to become addicted to something, then we have given up some measure of our freedom to the addiction and thus some ability to choose. By avoiding the addicting substances, we avoid the possibility of addiction and, thus, maintain our freedom to choose. So, when you look at the beliefs in more detail, the logic behind the beliefs begins to emerge.

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Beachgirl711 Aug, 22 2007 at 10:48 AM

Reson why is because our bodies are our temples as it says in scriptures and coffee is bad for our bodies...so there for no coffee, no illegal drugs, no tea (only certain kinds are bad for you), no tabacco, and no alcohol

- sweetcakes - Oct, 05 2007 at 02:48 AM

Interesting - thanks for all this info Glenn and Beachgirl :)

Answer 2 out of 11

by edndori on Jan 7, 2009 at 7:29 pm Permalink

That is correct.
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The reason we do so is a revelation from God telling us that Hot drinks, strong drinks and tobacco are things we should not consume. The prophet has further told us that the drinks referred to are specifically: Coffee, China teas (herbal teas are ok) and alcohol.

While there has been much conjecture on the subject, the simple fact is that God has not told us why these are bad for us. Just that they are.

And we have been willing to take his word for it.

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the Otter has a technicolor dream COAT Jan, 07 2009 at 08:57 PM

Good answer, edndori. However, can you cite anyplace that says that herbal teas are okay? To the best of my knowledge, the Church has never taken any position on whether or not any particular type of “tea” be prohibited.

Welcome to Answerbag!

edndori Jan, 08 2009 at 12:30 PM

thank you. That is an excelent question.
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Checking it out I found that the original revelation of the Word of Wisdom also states: "And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man. Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
"
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I was incorrect in saying they are ok.
I should have said they are not specifically prohibited by it.
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Just about anything water soluable can be made in to a tea, and not everything that can be is wholesome.
Find out before you drink it. Use your head.

the Otter has a technicolor dream COAT Jan, 09 2009 at 06:29 AM

Exactly. The definition of “tea” has been left up to the individual, which is exactly why each of us must—as you rightly state—use his or her head. :-)

Thanks again!

Answer 3 out of 11

by mmagirl on Oct 6, 2008 at 5:00 pm Permalink

Yes.

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Answer 4 out of 11

by Anonymous on Feb 6, 2008 at 9:15 pm Permalink

yes it is true coffee is discourage by the church but not because it has caffeine but because of the chemicals it containes. how it make people addictid and decafe is also bad because of the chemiclas and not so much of the caffeine ok

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the Otter has a technicolor dream COAT Mar, 09 2008 at 05:22 AM

Anonymous,

Could you please give a citation for this? I’m not aware of the Church ever stating *why* coffee is against the Word of Wisdom, but I certainly don’t know everything.

Thanks!

Answer 5 out of 11

by Anonymous on Nov 18, 2007 at 2:35 pm Permalink

The Word of Wisdom discourages "hot drinks" yet it does say that it is not a commandment but a revleation. The choice of comsuming a "hot drink" is between you and the Lord.

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John Cox Nov, 18 2009 at 11:15 AM

Actually though it was first recieved as counsil and not commandment, it was later revealed by God, and sustained to be by the membership of the church a commandment.
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Adherance to the word of wisdom is now a condition for baptism.

Answer 6 out of 11

by gone on Aug 19, 2007 at 8:37 am Permalink

Yes, but since the LDS church became major stockholders in Coca Cola, I believe drinking Coke is overlooked although it contains caffeine.

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rachelloveswade Oct, 13 2008 at 10:24 AM

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I am unaware of anywhere where LDS members are told not to have caffeine. My understanding is that we don't drink coffee because we were instructed by a prophet of God not to.

Glenn Blaylock Oct, 13 2008 at 01:27 PM

You are correct. We don't claim to know why God told us not to drink coffee or tea. There has been speculation on the reasons, but none of these speculations has been raised to the level of doctrine.

John Cox Nov, 18 2009 at 11:23 AM

Though we have been officially counsiled to avoid any addictive substances (this counsil like the counsil to keep our language clean is not a prerequisite for baptism or entering the temple). And several of the General Authorities, including President Hinkley, have given their opinion that we ought to avoid caffiene.

Answer 7 out of 11

by Breakfast on Dec 30, 2008 at 11:48 pm Permalink

I think you people need to focus on the one thing that Jesus DID command. To love one another as we love ourselves and to love God. Everyone wastes so much time worrying about all the little things that they forget the big picture.

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John Cox Nov, 18 2009 at 11:31 AM

Well Jesus did command a lot more than that but those are the two great commandments that encompass all others.

Answer 8 out of 11

by Joseph Smith was a fraud and Eisegete on Dec 31, 2008 at 7:15 am Permalink

Yes, if you give a cult certian rules, it makes them feel special and above the frey. It's ok to defile your marriage and take on another wife, but don't drink coffee.

Oh wait, the whole polygamy thing is not in affect at this moment, only because they were told by their god to practice it and told by the government to not practice it. The government trumpted their god. Hum!!!

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John Cox Nov, 18 2009 at 11:33 AM

The government didn't trump God, Mormons continued polygamy for quite some time after the government said no. It wasn't until God said to discontinue the practice that the church did.

Joseph Smith was a fraud and Eisegete Nov, 18 2009 at 01:26 PM

HUM, thats funny lol, thanks John. I needed a good laugh.

John Cox Nov, 18 2009 at 03:33 PM

Anytime

Answer 9 out of 11

by Ray Del Sol on Nov 18, 2009 at 10:32 pm Permalink

yep...

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Answer 10 out of 11

by Trout fishing in America...Charlie on Nov 18, 2009 at 10:31 pm Permalink

I notice Mormon Glen Beck sells his own brand of coffee on his website called Gevalia. Naughty Mormon.

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