PetShopBoy88
Active Member
Why does "hot beverages" in the word of wisdom only refer to coffee and non-herbal teas?
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Any answer I might give would be purely speculation. Joseph Smith and other early Church leaders specifically stated that "hot beverages" should be interpreted as to mean tea and coffee. He didn't say why. In other words, he didn't implicate caffeine, although many people (both within the Church and on the outside) assume that this is what he meant.PetShopBoy88 said:Why does "hot beverages" in the word of wisdom only refer to coffee and non-herbal teas?
PetShopBoy88 said:So in other words, you are to follow a law for no given reason? (Not trying to be combative, or anything, just asking.)
So do you think that's the only reason it referrs to Coffee and Tea? So you can show love?nutshell said:The bottom line reason for following this and any law is that it stems from the commandment to Love God. If we love God then we will do everything he has asked us to do.
In the light of new information, sometimes one's questions must change.I also believe you've changed your question: You started be asking "why" hot beverages meant tea/coffee and now you're asking if we follow a law for no reason.
I've read the word of wisdom.If you want a better reason than we do it because we love God, I encourge you to read the Word of Wisdom.
So is that why Coffee and Tea are forbidden? For health reasons?I think you'll see there are some health benefits to following the law.
PetShopBoy88 said:So do you think that's the only reason it referrs to Coffee and Tea? So you can show love?
PetShopBoy88 said:In the light of new information, sometimes one's questions must change.
PetShopBoy88 said:I've read the word of wisdom.
PetShopBoy88 said:So is that why Coffee and Tea are forbidden? For health reasons?
I thought, "Why would God give this commandment?" Perhaps health reasons... And then I thought" Why only Coffee and Tea?" And then I posted this question.nutshell said:And what did you think (beyond coffee/tea issue)?
PetShopBoy88 said:I thought, "Why would God give this commandment?" Perhaps health reasons... And then I thought" Why only Coffee and Tea?" And then I posted this question.
Oh, it's definintely for health reasons. The prohibition against alcohol and tobacco came at the same time - back in 1838, long before medical science had made any statements on either of these substances. It has been shown in medical studies (the one I'm thinking of was at UCLA) that practicing Latter-day Saints have a considerably longer life-expectancy than the general population. I'd have to try to find the numbers for you. It runs in my mind the results of that particular study were published on www.adherents.com. but I could be wrong.PetShopBoy88 said:So in other words, you are to follow a law for no given reason? (Not trying to be combative, or anything, just asking.)
PetShopBoy88 said:So what is harmful to health that only coffee and tea have? Why wasn't it caffeinated beverages? Or caffein? Does it have nothing to do with caffein> If not, what is it? Or is it just vague "health reasons"?
Fair enough. Thanks for the answer.nutshell said:We don't know for certain why and caffein, IMO, is irrelevant although I know some LDS who will disagree (and when they do disagree with me I ask them the same questions you're asking now about caffeinated beverages or hot chocolate/cocoa for that matter).
One other quick note: I'm not sure Joseph Smith even knew what caffeine was. When he received the revelation, the words given to him were "hot drinks." At that time, there probably weren't any cold drinks that contained caffeine. If he had prayed for guidance in interpreting the revelation, God would more than likely told him that he could go ahead and have his chicken noodle soup. Caffeine may very well have been the harmful ingredient that God was speaking of. Undoubtedly, it's not good for us. But no prophet since Joseph Smith has made a specific determination as to whether Coke, Mountain Dew, etc. are prohibited.PetShopBoy88 said:Fair enough. Thanks for the answer.
nutshell said:And it's just as likely caffeine has nothing to do with it or that it is a portion of the problem with tea and coffee.
There are certainly enough other harmful ingredients in tea/coffee to justify not drinking them even if they were caffeine free.
That really helps explain it. Thanks.Deep Shadow said:With these in mind, I'd propose that the focus here--in tea and coffee as well as the rest--is about the potential for addiction. Are there other addictive substances not included? Sure, but I think it points us in the right direction. As it says elsewhere in the D&C, "it is not meet that [the Lord] should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant".
groovyable said:Yet why then did Jehovah God create caffine buds, leafs etc...?
D&C 89 said:7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.