word of wisdom hot drinks

The Word of Wisdom rejected the idea of a substitute for alcohol. Were just looking at why the Church interprets hot drinks in D&C 89 as a reference to only coffee and tea. Revelation, 27 February 1833 [D&C89], in Sidney Gilbert, Notebook, 11415. It is also one in which God speaks to prophets according to their own language and understanding so that they can comprehend His commandments (Doctrine and Covenants 1:24). ": "Diary of Joseph Smith", March 11, 1843 entry, Frederick J. In an 1842 discourse in Nauvoo, Hyrum Smith taught, , hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;, there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it does refer to tea, or coffee, or not. 75-92.) Orson Hyde was the main instructor that first term, but Joseph Smith seems to have had a regular presence. Pack, "Should Latter-Day Saints Drink Coca-Cola? Grain farmers in western Pennsylvania and Tennessee found it cheaper to manufacture whiskey than to ship and sell perishable grains. The strategy worked. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided. Hey guys, so were talking about the Word of Wisdom today. Alcohol was consumed at virtually every meal, in part because the unpurified water of the time was so unhealthy. Question: Why did Joseph Fielding Smith say that the consumption of tea may bar someone from the celestial kingdom? "[52], Many LDS Church leaders have expressed their views on the subject of meat. A capital T was written next to the names of those who did so, and from this the word teetotaler was derived. In a pamphlet written in 1930 called The Word of Wisdom, LDS Church apostle John A. Widtsoe taught that refined flour was contrary to the Word of Wisdom. If these products do harm to us, there is potential that we are not able to keep all of God's commandments and in the way that we would have us keep them. He and Emma lived in the Whitney store, and the task of scrubbing the spittle from the hardwood fell upon her. But when you read this section, youll notice that the revelation does not specifically mention the words tea, or coffee. Latter-day Saint magazine clarifies Word of Wisdom on coffee, tea By 1840, per capita consumption in America had fallen to about three gallons, the steepest 10-year drop in American history. . Question: Why are "hot drinks" forbidden by the Word of Wisdom? A stake president was scheduled to meet with a young man to interview him and help him complete his mission application. See Mark Edward Lender and James Kirby Martin, Drinking in America: A History, rev. D&C section 89 also gives us counsel of what is good for us and promised blessings when we live in obedience to this commandment. [20], Though Young encouraged Mormons to follow the Word of Wisdom code, the church was tolerant of those who did not follow it. [47][48][49] However, in November 2010, the Salt Lake Tribune noted that in the 2010 church Handbook, which sets out the official position of the church on health and social issues, no position on drinking Coca-Cola or caffeinated drinks is included. The largest of these groups, the LDS Church, was led by Brigham Young. Grant to call on all Saints to live the Word of Wisdom to the letter by completely abstaining from all alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. Colloquially, in every day speech, we often refer to any plant that we dip in warm or hot water, let it soak until the water is infused with the juices and flavors of the plant matter, and then drink as "tea." But this is actually incorrect, an error that is at the heart of many of the problems we have with understanding this prohibition. This is not to say that all health proposals of the time relied on elaborate argumentation. The problem was drinking in excess, or actually getting drunk. Pack, a Mormon professor at the University of Utah, published an article in an official church magazine in which he reasoned that because Coca-Cola contained caffeine, which is also present in tea and coffee, Mormons should abstain from Coca-Cola in the same way that they abstain from the Word of Wisdom "hot drinks". In 1860, Young counseled those chewing tobacco in church meetings to at least be discreet and not excessive, but did not charge users with sin. The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. Donate to us by shopping at Amazon at no extra cost to you. Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. Ive found one single solitary discourse (from George Q. Cannon in 1868) that also put hot chocolate or hot cocoa under the category of hot drinks. To prepare these recent converts for their important labors, Joseph Smith started a training school called the School of the Prophets, which opened in Kirtland on the second floor of the NewelK. Whitney mercantile store in January 1833.1, Every morning after breakfast, the men met in the school to hear instruction from Joseph Smith. He attributed his excellent health, in part, to eating very little meat. See Harper, Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants, 328. Instead, the revelation uses the phrase, "hot drinks." While the only official application of the term "hot drinks" is to tea and coffee,[3] an official statement of policy from the First Presidency is available, in which the use of any habit-forming drug is discouraged: 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. Thus, today we are expected to completely abstain from all alcoholic drinks, tobacco, illicit drugs, as well as tea and coffee whether hot or cold. The term strong drink is a biblical phrase applying to wine, but temperance reformers often gave the term a more expansive definition that included distilled spirits. He came to the house in much distress, and requested his father to go immediately for a physician. [8], Furthermore, many of the orthodox physicians in the Churchincluding John C. Bennett, William Law, and Robert Fosterwere eventually to attack Joseph. In the case of alcohol, it can impair your judgement and make it so that you hurt others. See W.J. Rorabaugh, The Alcoholic Republic: An American Tradition (New York: Oxford University Press, 1979), 2557; W.J. Rorabaugh, Alcohol in America, OAH Magazine of History, vol. [57] The increased emphasis on the Word of Wisdom took place during the presidency of Heber J. [18] 1988), 121338; RichardL. Bushman, The Refinement of America: Persons, Houses, Cities (New York: Knopf, 1992); DanaC. Elder, A Rhetoric of Etiquette for the True Man of the Gilded Age, Rhetoric Review, vol.21, no.2 (2002), 155, 159. The Israelites were to mark their houses with lamb's blood at the first Passover. Some members have pointed out that caffeine is contained in both coffee and tea, and that this substance has potential harmful effects.[2]. If youre not familiar with what that is, its essentially a basic dietary or health code for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those who adhere to the Word of Wisdom, the revelation says, shall receieve health in their navel and marrow to their bones & shall find wisdom & great treasures of wisdom & knowledge even hidden treasures.26 These lines link body to spirit, elevating care for the body to the level of a religious principle.27. Things like lightly fermented wine and even beer were generally considered to be more mild drinks. Word of Wisdom/Cola drinks and caffeine < Word of Wisdom FAIR Answers Wiki Table of Contents Mormonism, the Word of Wisdom and caffeine Jump to Subtopic: Question: Is it true that Mormons are forbidden from drinking cola drinks such as Coke, Pepsi and Dr Pepper? Watch some of our other videos while youre here. To these the 1934 edition also added "drunkenness. It's been a long and heated debate among members on whether or not caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom. Once the pipes were smoked out, they would then put in a chew on one side and perhaps on both sides and then it was all over the floor.3 In this dingy setting, Joseph Smith attempted to teach the men how they and their converts could become holy, without spot, and worthy of the presence of God.4. Faithful Study Resources for Come, Follow Me. Word of Wisdom The only official interpretation of "hot drinks" (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early Church leaders that the term "hot drinks" means tea and coffee. Now, again, you likely wouldnt have gotten in trouble in the early years for drinking even strong drink in moderation. The Patriarch then said, may the Lord bless you and help you to keep all your covenants. Energy drinks promise a quick pick-me-up, but that quick boost of energy comes with some hefty drawbacks, both physically and spiritually. See ChristopherG. Crary, Pioneer and Personal Reminiscences (Marshalltown, Iowa: Marshall Printing, 1893),25. Grant finally made adherence to the Word of Wisdom a prerequisite for temple admission. . David A. Erickson, "Caffeine not prohibited" (letter to the editor). The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of FAIR, its officers, directors or supporters. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Handbook 2: Administering the Church2010 (Intellectual Reserve, 2010). Those who follow God's counsel in the Word of Wisdom are promised that they'll receive health, find wisdom, and "run and not be weary, and [walk] and not faint" (D&C 89:18-20). Word of Wisdom/Hot drinks/Further Reading - FAIR Is lamb's blood "magic?" And while I still have plenty of questions about the Word of Wisdom, I dont mind that emphases shift over time. For other ways the Word of Wisdom may have departed from accepted wisdom, see StevenC. Harper, Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants: A Guided Tour through Modern Revelations (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2008), 33233. [2], Compliance with the Word of Wisdom is necessary in the LDS Church to become a member and to participate in various church functions,[3][4] however, violation of the code is not normally cause for a church membership council. Now, again, you likely wouldnt have gotten in trouble in the early years for drinking even strong drink in moderation. See MiltonV. BackmanJr., School of the Prophets and School of the Elders, in Joseph: Exploring the Life and Ministry of the Prophet, ed. Does it repel angels like garlic does vampires? But you may be wondering, how did we get from there to here? Total abstinence was not expected. Faithful members of the Church accept the revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture, as sustained by a personal witness of the Holy Spirit. While the past is fascinating and instructional, Latter-day Saints today observe the Word of Wisdom largely according to the interpretations and emphases given by leaders today. The Word of Wisdom remains to light our way. Now, what do we drink when we take our meals? Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. "This is the church clearly responding to higher levels of non-compliance to the Word of Wisdom than we've seen . Copyright 1997-2023 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Then, they are what the Lord meant when He said hot drinks. Brother Hyrum Smith spoke to the same effect.. After the Revolution, tea drinking came to be seen as unpatriotic and largely fell out of favorthe way was open for a rival stimulant to emerge. The scene in the School of the Prophets would have been enough to give any non-tobacco user like Joseph Smith cause for concern.6 Josephs wife, Emma, told him that the environment concerned her. Brigham Young stated after Smith's death that the revelation was given in response to problems encountered while conducting meetings in the Smith family home:[7]. Rather than using calomel, he used lobelia, or "wild Indian tobacco" as a cathartic and purgative. Church leaders on Thursday pointed to a recent article in New Era, the church's magazine for young people, reminding them that the Word of Wisdom prohibits "hot drinks" understood to . Edmunds Jephcott (New York, 1978); Georges Vigarello, Concepts of Cleanliness: Changing Attitudes in France since the Middle Ages, trans. "This is the church clearly responding to higher levels of non-compliance to the Word of Wisdom than we've seen in . Dear Kenneth, There are three things prohibited by the Word of Wisdom. [56], Despite these statements, restricting meat consumption was not given an explicit mention for worthiness in the LDS Church as the standards for obedience to the Word of Wisdom were made increasingly central to LDS Church doctrine and practice in the early 20th century. New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations [NSPPD] || 6th - Facebook Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. They immediately threw their tobacco pipes into the fire, one of the participants in the school recalled.29 Since that time, the inspiration in the Word of Wisdom has been proven many times over in the lives of the Saints, its power and divinity cascading down through the years. When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. [25][31][32][33], In the LDS Church, tobacco is not allowed in any form, including smoking, chewing, or vaping. "[25] Grant never again spoke out against the use of cola drinks. Such failures of heroic medicine predisposed the Smiths (with many of their contemporaries) to skepticism about orthodox "heroic" medicine. In 1921, the Lord inspired President HeberJ. Modern methods of refrigeration now make it possible to preserve meat in any season. is "morally wrong"? [23] He also owned and maintained a bar in Salt Lake City for the sale of alcoholic beverages to non-Mormon travelers, on the theory that it was better for LDS Church authorities to run such establishments than for outsiders. In February 1834, Joseph Smith proposed a resolution before the high council of the church that stated, "No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office after having the word of wisdom properly taught him; and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with and obey it. For a published version of the latter sermon, see Brigham Young, Remarks, Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, Feb. 25, 1868,2. Tobacco came to be known as the filthy weed, and words like disgusting and annoying increasingly became associated with it. December 9, 2018 Certina Motivation There seems to be a high level of confusion among Mormons regarding the drinking of caffeinated beverages. Overview God has revealed the Word of Wisdom as a commandment for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana - The Church of Jesus Christ of No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc. Any opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the goods and services offered by FAIR are solely those of FAIR and not those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2012, in response to a report on Mormonism on NBCs Rock Center with Brian Williams, which claimed that LDS faithful were prohibited from drinking caffeine, the church wrote: Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine. The third verse of Doctrine and Covenants 89 states that the Word of Wisdom was given (at last in part) "[in] consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days[. Latter-day Saints who learn of the American health reform movements of the 1820s and 1830s may wonder how these movements relate to the Word of Wisdom. Can Mormons drink coffee? [28], The LDS Church prohibits tea and coffee, as interpreted from the mention of "hot drinks" in the scripture; it is also taught that it does not matter whether or not the drinks are hot. [24], The modern LDS application of the Word of Wisdom has its beginnings in the presidency of Joseph F. Smith, who became LDS Church president in 1901 at a time when even notable church leaders drank alcohol and coffee. To the astonishment of observers like Trollope, Americans everywheremen, women, and childrendrank whiskey all day long. They took a more moderate approach to milder alcoholic beverages like beer and pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.16 For the next two generations, Latter-day Saint leaders taught the Word of Wisdom as a command from God, but they tolerated a variety of viewpoints on how strictly the commandment should be observed. The revelation says "hot drinks," but before the revelation was a year old, "hot drinks" were defined to include tea and coffee" (Elder John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, April 1926). Critics count on "presentism"they hope readers will judge historical figures by the standards of, The Word of Wisdom was enforced differently in the 19th century than today, Clifford J. Stratton,"CaffeineThe Subtle Addiction,", Revelations in Context: "The Word of Wisdom rejected the idea of a substitute for alcohol. Mocha, Latte, and Macchiato While the phrase "hot drinks" in the Word of Wisdom was later defined as tea and coffee, many still have questions about specific drinks or flavors. Doctrine and Covenants 89:6; see also Revelation, 27 February 1833 [D&C 89], in Sidney Gilbert, Notebook, 113. Thats a great question, and its one that were going to talk about in the next episode. Question: Why are "hot drinks" forbidden by the Word of Wisdom? The Word of Wisdom was a revelation received by Joseph Smith in 1833 and is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89. The . D&C 89 was clear that the revelation was from God, but it was not made a commandment or "point of fellowship" until the twentieth century. The brethren did not have to be told what the words meant. Who are Sons of Perdition and What is the Unpardonable Sin? "[55] Apostle George Teasdale taught the same thing, and held that eating pork was a more serious breach of the Word of Wisdom than drinking tea or coffee. The church does not have an official position on the consumption of caffeinated beverages, apart from the general statement that the Word of Wisdom does not specifically mention it. (London, 1832), 2:101. Redditor makes 'hot drink alternatives' list after LDS Church clarifies 'Word of Wisdom.' (Photo: Adam Forgie, KUTV) He says: "All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life . It is a common misconception, among both members and non-members, that the Word of Wisdom exists primarily, or only, to promote the health of the members. Mormon church urges believers to avoid green tea, lattes and vaping The problem was drinking. "Hot drinks" is clarified for the LDS Church handbook: The only official interpretation of "hot drinks" (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early Church leaders that the term "hot drinks" means tea and coffee.[36]. [59] In 1950, apostle and plant scientist John A. Widtsoe wrote, in relation to meat consumption, "they who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning. There seems to be no indication that Joseph Smith or subsequent presidents of the Church understood hot drinks to refer to anything other than tea and coffee. [58], In a 1948 LDS general conference address, apostle Joseph F. Merrill emphasized the importance of not eating meat as "freely as many Americans are doing". [27], LDS Church leaders teach that consumption of any form of alcohol, including beer, violates the Word of Wisdom,[28][29][30] however, wine was used in the sacrament, and "mild drinks" (beers) were originally allowed. 74 (Mar. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Joseph Smith, himself, is quoted as having taught: "I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said 'hot drinks' in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom. And on this account, as I suppose, Alvin at first refused to take the medicine, but by much persuasion, he was prevailed on to do so. [18] Joseph Smith had also been operating a hotel/tavern in Far West, Missouri, in 1838, and in June of that year, the high council of Far West felt compelled to remind Smith's family that there was a ban on the sale and consumption of "ardent spirits in the place".[19]. Thus, Joseph Fielding Smith's remarks apply to those under the current standards and laws. See Revelation, 2 January 1831 [D&C 38], in Revelation Book 1, 51, josephsmithpapers.org. In the eighteenth century, coffee was considered a luxury item, and British-manufactured tea was much preferred. Of these non-smoking, monogamous non-drinkers, Enstrom concluded from the study "that LDS Church members who follow religious mandates barring smoking and drinking have one of the lowest death rates, including from cancer and cardiovascular diseasesclose to half that of the general population. Redditor makes 'hot drink alternatives' list after LDS Church - KUTV This changed in September 2017 when the director of BYU Dining Services announced that caffeinated beverages would be sold on campus. The agent of choice for the orthodox physicians was calomel, or mercurous chloride. "[25] Violation of the Word of Wisdom is however not currently (no longer) cause for church discipline. On the other hand, Thompson himself sometimes referred to tea and coffee as "hot drinks," so the choice of wording may simply reflect common "medical" terminology in Joseph Smith's environment. The Lord does not want you to use any drug that creates an appetite for itself.[42]. However, in contrast with Joseph Smith's day, more than a hundred years has passed since church leaders implemented a more stringent application of the Word of Wisdom. The clouds of smoke were so thick the men could hardly even see Joseph through the haze. The revelation invites hearers to trust in a God who has the power to deliver great rewards, spiritual and physical, in return for obedience to divine command. And, yes, coffee and tea have caffeine. As an interesting side-note: In the early years of the Church the term strong drink used in D&C 89 generally only applied to hard liquors, like whiskey. thesis, Brigham Young University, August 1972). ]"[15] Thus it may be that the Word of Wisdom is about the health benefits or detriments of coffee and tea in and of themselves, but of the health detriments brought about by what other people will do to coffee and tea. Its a fair question, so lets talk about it. 34 (2003), 2964. See Lender and Martin, Drinking in America, 7172; Tyrrell, Sobering Up, 22551. Thompson patented his system, and opposed the heroics' measureshowever, in many cases, his treatments were little better. Health protection is an important benefit of the Word of Wisdom. Latest from Mormon Land: Is caffeine really against the Word of Wisdom? The only revealed answer to the question of why hot drinks (interpreted at present as coffee and tea) are prohibited by the Word of Wisdom is "because God told us they are." Health protection is an important "side benefit," one might say, but arguably the most important reason for the Word of Wisdom is the promise given in the last verse of D&C 89, in which the members are told: 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. And Victor L. Ludlow has further clarified that the "hot drinks" referred to in the Word of Wisdom do not apply to the herbal teas. From an attitude of moderation to an attitude of complete abstinence? Instead, the revelation uses the phrase, hot drinks. Many people understandably wonder why we view this as a reference to tea and coffee but not also a reference to hot chocolate, hot apple cider, etc. Why Mormons Don't Drink Alcohol, Tea, and Coffee? On February 27, 1833, as recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed which foods are good for us to eat and which substances are not good for the human body. The Lord was showing us what was good for man to eat and drink. I will draw the line, and know who is for the Lord and who is not, and those who will not keep the Word of Wisdom, I will cut off from the Church; I throw out a challenge to all men and women. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . Hot drinkswhich Latter-day Saints understood to mean coffee and tea19are not for the body, or belly, the revelation explained (see D&C 89:9). This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. In the end, some overlap between the Word of Wisdom and the health reform movement of the 19th century is to be expected. Another medical system arose in the early 1800s: Thompsonian herbalism. Zebedee Coltrin reminiscence, in Salt Lake School of the Prophets, Minutes, Oct. 3 1883, Church History Library, Salt Lake City. Here are some facts about the Word of Wisdom: In Doctrine and Covenants 89:8-9, the Lord forbids our using tobacco and "hot drinks," which, Church leaders have explained, means tea and coffee. Joseph Smith Protects the Golden Plates from Mob Incursions, Joseph Smith Brings the Golden Plates Home. Orthodox medical care in Joseph Smith's day was based around what was called a "heroic" tradition. Moderation rather than abstinence was applied to virtually all of the do nots of the Word of Wisdom until the early 20th century. In verses 14-17 of the Word of Wisdom the Lord advises on the use of grains. Nor should members use harmful or habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent .
Agent Orange Band Tour, 1327 High Rd, Tallahassee, Fl, Accident In Amery, Wi Today, Articles W