The vast majority of us enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee in the morning, but this isn't the case if you're Mormon. Part of the Mormon doctrine is that you cannot drink coffee or any other hot drinks.
This guide explores the religious and doctrinal reasons behind the prohibition. It stems from the Word of Wisdom, a key component of Mormon doctrine, and is as much about health as it is about spirituality.
Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Word of Wisdom
Throughout this guide, we’re going to be referring to something called the Word of Wisdom. This is a huge part of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Church and refers to a revelation of the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. Since then, it’s formed a big section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a holy text for Mormons, and is a guiding principle when it comes to health and lifestyle choices.
Simply put, the Word of Wisdom is the LDS Church's health code. It's believed that God wants all his children to be healthy, and therefore, Smith outlined a series of good and prohibited food and drink items based on parts of the Bible.
The church teaches that if members obey the Word of Wisdom, they’ll be rewarded with improved health, knowledge, wisdom, and protection by God.
In the Word of Wisdom, the following things are prohibited:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tobacco products (including vaping, which has been clarified by church leaders)
- Hot drinks, which is interpreted to mean tea and coffee
Health & Spiritual Benefits, According to the LDS
There are a few health reasons claimed by the LDS church and its members that tie back into the coffee ban. Chief among these is the caffeine in coffee and some teas.
The doctrine is clear about banning addictive substances, but the church has not specifically banned caffeine. Instead, they emphasize the principle behind the rules — to keep yourself healthy and sober and allegedly bring you close to God by not becoming reliant on other substances.
This has caused some confusion since cold tea and coffee are not allowed, but caffeine drinks like energy drinks and Coca-Cola have not been banned by the LDS church. Some say the ban is due in part to the tannins and acids in tea and coffee that can be harsh on the stomach.
The below passages from Doctrines and Covenants 89 (4-9) ban hot drinks:
“Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
“That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
“And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
"And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly but for the washing of your bodies.
“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.
“And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”
The spiritual benefits are laid out further on in the same passage (Doctrines and Covenants 89 (18-21):
“And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
“And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.”
Essentially, in this section, Smith is conveying that if they avoid coffee, alcohol, tea, and tobacco, they’ll be healthy, have increased wisdom and knowledge, and be protected when the rapture comes.
It’s a powerful statement, and it’s little surprise that many are willing to go sober and forgo coffee for all of those promises.
Modern Interpretations & Adaptations
Of course, with a doctrine written back in the first half of the 19th century, things are going to change over time. Back then, in rural Utah, the idea of an iced coffee probably didn't even register as a possibility. So, over time, the Words of Wisdom have been reinterpreted and adapted by the leaders of the LDS church.
What’s Considered a “Hot Drink”?
Current LDS leaders have clarified that “hot drinks” in the Words of Wisdom actually mean coffee and tea, not all hot drinks. Hot cocoa and apple cider are both allowed in Mormonism. However, the rules have been altered to also prohibit iced coffee and iced tea.
There has been a lot of debate over the use of decaf coffee or herbal teas in the LDS church. Many believe herbal teas are okay as there are specific references to useful herbs in parts of the D&C section 89 revelation, but it’s still a contentious issue.
Since this modern interpretation was made, many operate under the assumption that caffeine is the issue. However, the LDS has not banned caffeinated beverages like Coca-Cola or energy drinks. Still, many Mormons avoid them to be on the safe side, opting for lower-caffeine alternatives.
Shifts in How the Word of Wisdom is Enforced
Over time, the enforcement of the Word of Wisdom has become less stringent. For example, there is a whole section about eating meat seasonally and sparingly during the winter months. Of course, in Frontier times, this made a lot of sense, but now it’s less of a concern for the LDS church.
While many Mormons hold themselves devotedly to the Word of Wisdom, there are plenty, especially among Millennial generations, who drink coffee or alcohol on occasion. As with many religions, there is a degree of personal interpretation and levels of devout practice that vary from person to person.
There are continued discussions about what is and isn’t allowed according to the Word of Wisdom. For example, drugs aren’t allowed unless they’re prescribed by a doctor. This has led to many Mormons becoming addicted to opioids — some say it’s because they’re an acceptable way of dealing with the stress of meeting the high expectations within their religion.
Slowly, the enforcement of the Word of Wisdom started to lessen. Even as early as 1854, the Journal of Discourses — a series of sermons — declared that it was okay to sell tobacco products to non-LDS members as a business.
Public perceptions of the LDS church vary, with some people referring to it more as a cult than a religious order. There have been numerous documentaries on the subject, and it’s even been brought to light in the Real Housewives series through the launch and success of the Salt Lake City version. The show features current and ex-LDS members with various degrees of adherence to the Word of Wisdom.
Dietary Restrictions: LDS & Other Religions
It is safe to say that the LDS isn't the only religious order with dietary restrictions to follow. Below is a brief overview of different restrictive diets and food-based guidance in different faiths based on guidelines from the Public Health Agency.
|
Religion |
Dietary Restrictions |
|
Buddhism |
The majority are vegetarian or vegan. Sometimes, garlic, onions, and scallions are prohibited. |
|
Hinduism |
The majority are vegetarian. Beef or beef products are not allowed. Strict Hindus also exclude animal fat, onions, garlic, mushrooms, tea, and coffee. |
|
Judaism |
Kosher preparations of certain foods. Cannot eat pork and pork products, shellfish, or seafood that doesn’t have fins and scales. There are also rules around the mixing of meat and dairy in the same meal or during preparation. They must be kept separate. |
|
Islam |
Halal preparations of certain foods. Cannot eat pork and pork products, shellfish, or seafood that doesn’t have fins and scales. |
|
Sikh |
The majority are vegetarians. Cannot eat beef and beef products, and should avoid Halal and kosher meats. |
|
Rastafarian |
The majority are vegetarian or vegan. Cannot eat pork and pork products. Many Rastafarians prefer a natural diet and avoid coffee, tea, and processed or canned and non-organic foods. |
Many of the religions that tend to be vegan or vegetarian have some kind of reincarnation belief in their spiritual texts, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Rastafarian. Harming animals and creatures has a direct impact on your karma, and it is believed to affect what you come back to in your next life. Of course, there is also the concern that an ancestor has come back as an animal that may be eaten.
Both Judaism and Islam prohibit pork, as pigs are considered to be unclean animals (outlined in Leviticus 11 for Judaism and Surat An-Nahl in the Quran). This is common for Abrahamic religions, as you want to eat “clean” animals since you’re putting them in your body.
On the other hand, Sikhs and Hindus do not eat beef. Sikhs avoid beef because cows and oxen are traditionally a part of Sikh livelihoods. This is changing now that society has moved on from relying on agriculture.
Hindus do not eat beef because cows are largely revered. However, the reasons for this depend on who you speak to. Some believe it’s about purity, some believe it’s written in the sacred Dharmas, and some believe cows themselves to be sacred.
FAQs: Why Can't Mormons Drink Coffee?
Okay, so let’s round out this guide with some final frequently asked questions about why Mormons can’t drink coffee.
1. What is the Word of Wisdom?
The Word of Wisdom is a section of the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It outlines health practices for its members and includes what you can and can’t consume as a Mormon, promising wisdom, knowledge, health, and protection if followed.
2. What substances are Mormons advised to avoid?
Mormons are advised to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and "hot drinks," which have been interpreted to mean tea and coffee in all forms — hot or cold. Modern interpretations have also added recreational drugs and vaping to this list.
3. Can Mormons consume any caffeine?
The Word of Wisdom does not explicitly ban caffeine; however, coffee and tea, regardless of their caffeine content, are prohibited. This has been a contentious issue as many modern Mormons interpret this part of the doctrine to be a caffeine ban. However, the LDS church has not banned caffeinated sodas and energy drinks.
4. How does the church enforce these dietary laws?
The LDS church doesn’t really enforce the Word of Wisdom that much anymore. Adherence to these laws is largely based on personal honor and integrity, with members encouraged to follow these guidelines to remain in good standing. Those who do not follow the laws can be kept from attending weddings and other ceremonies.
It is more of a social pressure to keep the laws if you're in a Mormon community, and it's an individual's decision based on how much they believe in the promises outlined in the Word of Wisdom.
5. What are the spiritual benefits of following the Word of Wisdom?
Fowers believe that adherence brings physical health and spiritual blessings, enhancing their closeness to God. Specifically, they believe that it’ll bring increased wisdom, health, knowledge, and protection when the end of days comes.
6. How do Mormons view the consumption of herbal teas?
The conversation around Mormons drinking herbal teas has changed over the years. Herbal teas are generally considered acceptable, as long as they do not contain actual tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. There is a specific reference to positive herbs in the Word of Wisdom and it’s not traditionally classed as “tea.”
7. What about cold or iced coffee and tea?
Mormons cannot drink any coffee or tea. All forms, regardless of preparation method and temperature, are prohibited under the Word of Wisdom.
This includes decaf coffee and tea or even using coffee in baking or cooking. As the LDS leaders reinterpreted “hot drinks” to just mean coffee and tea, the distinction is less about temperature and more about the product itself.
8. Do all Mormons strictly follow the Word of Wisdom?
Not all Mormons strictly follow the Word of Wisdom. While many do, adherence can vary, especially among younger generations or those less active in the church. As with any religion, there is a varying range of adherence and devoutness among members, and the Word of Wisdom is one of the parts that is loosely followed by many.
9. How has the interpretation of "hot drinks" evolved over time?
Initially a very vague term used in the original 1833 revelation by Joseph Smith, the term "hot drinks" has been clarified by church leaders over time. Now it specifically refers to coffee and tea, regardless of the temperature at which they are served. This means Mormons can have hot chocolate, cocoa, hot apple cider, and others that don’t come under the umbrella of tea or coffee.
