Coffee and the Word of Wisdom

Sunday night Zacch and I joined a couple of friends for dinner at their home. After dinner, they asked us if we wanted a cup of coffee to wash down the delicious meal. We declined, stating that we couldn't drink coffee because we are guided not to in our religion. This puzzled our friends because if something like coffee is "against our religion" than why wouldn't something like soda have the same restriction (as they both have significant amounts of caffeine in them). So, we started to do a little research. We looked up Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 which states:

9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

This only confused my friend even more. "Hot drinks are not for the body. Well, then why isn't hot chocolate (which also has caffeine) or other hot drinks included?" she said. "Where does the coffee and tea restriction come from?"
I couldn't give her an answer. We looked up a few articles from current prophets and church leadership, each stating something like, "It has been taught (or revealed) that 'hot drinks' refers to coffee and tea." But, we were unable to find the original source of the teaching.

As a result, I have done a little extra research because I want to know where the doctrine originated. Here is what I found.

The following is written in the Journal of Discourses of Brigham Young, dated 10/30/1870 on page 277 (for those who are not familiar with LDS history, Brigham Young was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints):

"I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned therein; that is very true; but what were the people in the habit of taking as hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and coffee. We were not in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea and coffee—the beverages in common use."

So, therefore, because the Prophet Brigham Young specified "hot drinks" as tea and coffee (which was assumed when the revelation was given in February, 1833), it is taught that we should abstain from drinking these products.

This brings me to caffeinated soda. Is drinking a can of caffeinated soda against the Word of Wisdom? I believe the answer to this question is yes, if you include substances that could be addictive. The Word of Wisdom is all about having a healthy body. If you are addicted to a stimulating substance, than your body will be weakened in one form or another.

President David O. McKay (the 9th president of the LDS church) taught:

"There is a substance in tea and coffee which when taken into the human system, tends to increase the beating of the heart; which in turn increases the rapidity of the circulation of the blood and of breathing. This causes the body to become warmer and more exhilarated. After a time, however, this temporary enlivenment passes off, and the body is really in a greater need of rest and recuperation than it was before the beverage was taken. Stimulants are to the body what the lash is to the lagging horse—it causes a spurt forward but gives no permanent strength or natural nourishment. Frequently repetitions of the lash only make the horse more lazy; and the habitual use of strong drink, tobacco, tea, and coffee, only tends to make the body weaker and more dependent upon the stimulants to which it is addicted."

Caffeine is the largest reason our bodies react as they do when we drink tea, coffee or soda.

In the article, "Caffeine - The Subtle Addiction" in the church magazine The Liahona in March 1990, the following is written:

"According to a statement in the Priesthood Bulletin of February 1972 (volume 8, number 1), “There has been no official interpretation of [the] Word of Wisdom except that which was given by the Brethren in the very early days of the Church when it was declared that ‘hot drinks’ meant tea and coffee.

“With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.” "

David O. McKay also said:

"The Church urges men to have self-mastery to control their appetites, their tempers, and their speech. A man is not at his best when he is a slave to some habit. A man is not his best who lives merely to gratify his passions. That is one reason why the Lord has given the Church the revelation of the Word of Wisdom so that, even from boyhood and girlhood, young men and young women may learn to control themselves. That is not always easy. The youth today face enemies—false ideologies and immoral practices. … Sound preparation is necessary to meet and conquer these enemies."

Please do not think that I am not guilty of drinking caffeinated soda. I've had my share of it (although I avoid it now because of how I feel after I drink it). And as far as hot chocolate goes, there hasn't been a lot written about abstaining from or drinking it. I found a little written in the 1973 April Ensign magazine, but you can read what was said if you feel so inclined.

Overall, this is a very interesting topic, and one that has been under debate for many, many years. Coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco are a definite no no in the LDS religion; but consumption of caffeinated soda, herbal tea or hot chocolate is up to the person who so chooses to consume it. No horrible religious consequence will come upon that person. No judgements will be issued (at least not by me anyway). Remembering to treat our bodies with respect and value is the aim of the Word of Wisdom. Which is why I try my hardest to observe it.