Well it is now 100 percent official - Mormon's are allowed to drink coke and more specifically caffeine, just not tea or coffee. others just don't drink it because caffeine is a stimulant and wearing on the circulatory system. During an interview with Larry King in 2004, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Mormon Church discussed the Word of Wisdom: Gordon B. Hinckley: The word of wisdom covers many things. Gramps, When I was a young quorum leader, in the 70’s, the Presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church came to our stake and told us, though it visibly upset a local bishop or two, that drinking decaffeinated coffee is not against the Church and they were not … Mormons don't drink green or black tea (caffeinated teas). It covers, in a very particular way, the use of tobacco and alcohol. Top rumor: next weekend, the prophet will lift the ban on Mormons … The Mormon Church is totally fine with people consuming as much caffeine as they can handle—just as long as it’s slightly chilled. He also wrote this book to speak clearly and powerfully to Christians by covering familiar topics in a … Motivation There seems to be a high level of confusion among Mormons regarding the drinking of caffeinated beverages. Mormons are also taught not to drink “hot drinks,” meaning coffee or any tea other than herbal tea (see D&C 89:9), and not to use tobacco (see D&C 89:8). That doesn't mean church leaders view drinks that contain it as healthy. Nor was it added in the church's recent two-volume handbook, which stake presidents, bishops and other local LDS leaders use to guide their congregations. Are they against the Word of Wisdom? It covers the excessive use of meat, as I see it. Caffeine is an ergogenic: increasing the capacity for mental or physical labor. sltrib.com © 1996-2019 The Salt Lake Tribune. Although the Church does not specifically prohibit it, they do not endorse it either. While it certainly CAN be, so can water - you can die from water intoxication. 1 of 1 View Caption. The LDS Church's health code, known as the Word of Wisdom, was issued in 1833 by Mormon founder Joseph Smith. MYTH – Mormons can’t drink anything with caffeine. We believe that God blesses us with health and other spiritual blessings for following this commandment. Nope, we can drink herbal tea, but no coffee of any kind. Mormon Caffeine Policy Clarified, Coke And Pepsi Officially OK For Latter-Day Saints. 2. the mormons that were very strict and drank nothing with caffeine in it. Mormonism Answers: What Is the Plan of Happiness? “, Father’s Day: How Mormon Fathers Are Different. if yu are mormon no.2 then no you can;t drink an energy drink. Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) The LDS restrictions involving coffee and tea are fairly well known, though many people may not really know the details behind it. Some think it’s because of caffeine levels. Can Mormons Drink Soda?Why can mormons drink Coke? mormons can drink caffeine..... what they can't drink is coffee and tea - and while the reason for that is not given - many ASSUME it is because of caffeine and so make the choice to abstain from any caffeinated drinks. Why is it that some Mormons drink caffeinated sodas and others don’t? Debunking a dubious General Conference rumor It's the General Conference Rumor Edition! Caffeine is addictive, and while avoiding it has never been a commandment in Mormonism similar to the prohibition against alcohol, nevertheless, Mormons have been counseled to avoid it. Some Mormons do choose to drink … Or Pepsi? Well that is what they believe NOW. Caffeine is widely acknowledged to be a stimulant and an addictive substance. The Mormon Church is totally fine with people consuming as much caffeine as they can handle—just as long as it’s slightly chilled. Among other instructions, it prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco and hot drinks. Such misunderstandings continue to irk Matthew Jorgensen, a Mormon and self-described devotee of caffeine-stoked Mountain Dew. Must have something to do with caffeine. "Another part of the issue is the general tendency (although there are exceptions) of devout people to be too literal and absolute, while not being rational enough. The church has never come out and said that caffeine is behind the prohibition of hot drinks mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. Though Young encouraged Mormons to follow the Word of Wisdom code, the church was tolerant of those who did not follow it. There is a simple reason why Mormons don’t drink coffee: We believe the prophet Joseph Smith received revelation from God commanding the church to follow a specific diet. The LDS Church-owned school doesn't sell caffeinated drinks on campus. There are many positive effects of caffeine. Quoted from the official Church newsroom: “the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the … I’m confused! Again, some Mormons try to make sure they don't accidentally get tea in any other form, which can be more difficult than you might think now that green tea has become a "health food" and is sometimes added into other health items (including cold cereal). Caffeine is widely acknowledged to be a stimulant and an addictive substance. Subsequently LDS prophets said that hot drinks referred to coffee and tea. Subsequently LDS prophets said that hot drinks referred to coffee and tea. Mormons, as most folks around here know, don't drink alcohol, tea or coffee. It is not written any where that they cannot. However, since the punctuation was added by CNN, it is not clear whether President Hinckley was listing things we say no to, or whether he was clarifying the “no to caffeine” statement by adding the “coffee and tea,” in which there are lots of caffeine. For the official Church websites, please visit LDS.org or Mormon.org. All rights reserved. But that logic doesn’t work because of our cultural obsession with the aforementioned Diet Coke and Pepsi and the continued allowance of energy drinks. The Mormon Church released an official statement in 1972 about the subject: 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. They have specifically stated that Coke, Pepsi, and any other form of caffeine is completely fine as long as it’s not heated. Brigham Young University amends its policy after the church revised its stance on caffeine in 2012. According to an analysis of the survey by the Religion in Public blog, 35% of church members said they consume coffee, 25% consume tea and 25% consume alcohol. Since moving to Cedar City to take a job teaching chemistry at Southern Utah University, the LDS professor has "carved out a place for [himself] as 'Dr. But convenience stores and fast-food eateries should brace for an onslaught of conferencegoers craving Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Mountain Dew or other caffeinated beverages. "We have been given rational minds for a reason," he writes, then paraphrasing church founder Joseph Smith. But, confusingly, the Mormon prohibition on coffee and tea is not a prohibition on caffeine. No leader of our church has ever come out and told us not to drink caffeine, although some have declared their distaste for caffeine. (Which the Mormon Church has never formally come out against, as I understand it). So much so, that failing to keep it disqualifies a Mormon from being able to enter the temple. By Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt Lake Tribune. What can Latter-day Saints eat and drink? They can drink decaff, non decaff, eat chocolate. It could also be that there is some substance in tea that can be harmful in large amounts. Some just choose not too. 'Dew' tell. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted. Mormons believe that bodies are a gift from God and should be respected and taken care of, both inside and out. MYTH – Mormons can’t use technology. Mormons aren't supposed to drink caffeinated beverages. Some Mormons assume that anything with caffeine should be prohibited, especially soft drinks and chocolate. Gordon B. Hinckley: No to caffeine, coffee and tea. The current debate over coffee, tea, caffeine, and other “hot drinks” boils down to a difference in interpretation about whether this particular portion of the Doctrines and Covenants is an outright prohibition or merely counsel. Well, I’m typing this from a laptop, so… I think some extremely uninformed people think we’re Amish. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it is formally known, determined that a reference to "hot drinks" in religious texts only applied to tea and coffee, not all caffeine products. So many Mormons then will say well, we should not drink any caffeinated beverages. Do I detect a “double standard” when it comes to soft drinks? Mormons are free to down a Coke or Pepsi. Part of the confusion stems from Brigham Young University. Such misunderstandings continue to irk Matthew Jorgensen, a Mormon and self-described devotee of … This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). We can drink herbal tea, but regular/iced tea is out and so is all coffee. Since coffee and tea both have caffeine, some members took to avoiding all drinks with caffeine. Why Don’t Mormons Drink Coffee? The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. It condemns alcohol, tobacco and "hot drinks," which church leaders have subsequently described only as "coffee and tea." It has long been assumed that because tea and coffee contain caffeine (which is addictive), that was the reason for avoidance. The Church does not prohibit Coke or Pepsi, however. This article goes into detail to explain the historical significance, context, and modern interpretation of the prohibition/exhortation against coffee and tea for Mormons. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. Coffee and tea are specifically prohibited, as written in the Word of Wisdom: "Hot drinks are not for the body or belly" (D&C 89:9). In other words, it’s entirely possible he could have actually been saying, “No to caffeine: coffee and tea.”. Simply stated, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes no official position on caffeine. From 1899 to 2006 the word “caffeine” is mentioned only eight times in the Semi-annual General Conference reports of the church. The primary purpose of God—The Ultimate Humanitarian is to speak to people leaving Mormonism. Can Mormons drink caffeine? Some Mormons assume that anything with caffeine should be prohibited, especially soft drinks and chocolate. Yet they can not drink ice tea but are allowed to drink hot chocolate. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7% increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control tests. "We don't need to be compelled in all things.". Latter Day Saints "can" drink caffeine, but many choose not to. Drugs would include all illegal substances, as well as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. They just don't bar members from, say, pounding a Pepsi or slurping a hot chocolate. This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The LDS Church's health code, known simply as the "Word of Wisdom," was dictated in 1833 by Mormon founder Joseph Smith. "My philosophy is simple," Jorgensen said. Breaking it is considered a major sin in Mormonism. mormons can drink caffeine..... what they can't drink is coffee and tea - and while the reason for that is not given - many ASSUME it is because of caffeine and so make the choice to abstain from any caffeinated drinks. Mormons will soon drink coffee! Though it does not state so, some take this to also mean not to drink caffeine in general. Clearly, the Utah-based faith is leaving such explanations and decisions up to individuals. And if the argument is against high levels of caffeine, Jorgensen writes, "then the problem is that 'high' is completely arbitrary.". Dew,' " he said, proudly displaying the sizable collection of Mountain Dew memorabilia he has in his office. Followers of the religion adhere to strict fundamental rules that prohibit any drug use. Do Latter-day Saints drink alcohol, tea, and coffee? It is fair to say, therefore, that the caffeine content of a glass of coca-cola is just about equal to that contained in a cup of tea or coffee.” In October 1939, the Improvement Era ran another article titled “Caffeine in Cola Drinks.” Mormon Apostle John Widtsoe warned that “cola drinks contain the drug, caffeine. Neither is accurate. The canonized Mormon health code is called the "Word of Wisdom," and was given to the religious movement in 1833 by its founder, Joseph Smith. Does not make sense but that is what they believe. Though it does not state so, some take this to also mean not to drink caffeine in general. A: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not take a direct position on caffeinated beverages. The excessive use of meat, as I see it not specifically prohibit it, they not. Drinks that contain it as healthy on caffeine Mormons are not allowed to drink.. 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