Education Week attendees listen during a devotional on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. Four in ten Millennial and GenX Latter-day Saints in the United States said they had consumed caffeinated coffee at some point in the last six months. Even Apostle Bruce R. McConkie wrote. “And if we believe that we will have perfected resurrected bodies, then that might shape how we’re going to view health, just a little bit different.”. It is hard to figure out this current LDS administration out! Yet this idea (or the idea that hot drinks are bad) actually goes against scientific evidence. Shouldn’t these be banned too? In a recent New Era article, the Church offered some clarifications to the Word of Wisdom, specifically concerning substances like mocha, latte, macchiato, espresso, green tea, iced tea, vaping, e-cigarettes, marijuana, and opioids. One study showed that nearly two-thirds of teen e-cigarette users thought that the pods they were vaping contained only flavoring. Regardless of what health challenges a person faces, whether they are overweight or have health challenges like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, doing healthy things is going to make a person healthier, starting from where he or she is. The Word of Wisdom doesn’t mention it”, by the full name, not nicknamed (i.e., “Mormon”), went from three hours to two beginning in 2019, allowed to be blessed and baptized, contradicting an edict from 2015, said drinking coffee and tea could lead to esophageal cancer, 25 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Coffee that you may not know, “Why are Mormons not allowed to drink coffee?”, Why the LDS Church needs to take a tougher stance on the issue of abortion, 10 Reasons why the Multiple LDS Temples Have Nothing to do with the Biblical Temple in Jerusalem. Electronic vaporizers or e-cigarettes are devices people use to inhale mist, usually with various flavors. ‘Mormon Land’: Word of Wisdom, gender bias, LGBTQ issues and more — Jana Riess talks about her landmark findings on LDS millennials Mormon Will the Mormon Word of Wisdom ever change? For now, the Church has doubled down on the Word of Wisdom. I like how the NIV translates verse 23: “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom . . We find that there is a high degree of variation in Word of Wisdom compliance. And if Starr is right, why would the leaders put its members in such danger? For all the evolving personalized ways people interact with this purported revelation, probably just so they can hold their heads up in temple recommend interviews, I think tradition means a lot. In another way, I think the overall rule is silly. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Health isn’t just about what people shouldn’t do, it’s also about what they can do. This also begs the question: Since the article was written to young people and caffeine seems to be the big taboo, then why are energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, and Rock Star not discussed? Rumor WOW change? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints canonized the Word of Wisdom, essentially going all in on it. One must ask, if caffeinated colas are allowed, why is “iced tea” (or iced coffees, for that matter) not allowed? Doubling down = A Surprise for Us Looking In On From the Outside. I am guessing that most Latter-day Saints already knew that vaping and e-cigarettes went against the Word of Wisdom. This, he said, was the main reason why hot drinks were banned by God. Many of the ways that people relate to food and health are heavily influenced by their culture, he said. It includes instruction about what foods are good for us and those substances to avoid. Perhaps because there was such speculation in April, the church “doubled down” in August 2019 and declared, emphatically, that the Word of Wisdom remains in full force. This statement is true, as vaping could be just as dangerous and addictive as tobacco. They’re both tea and against the Word of Wisdom. or Postum but ban coffee and tea? Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! It’s anyone’s guess. No one is expected to be perfect now or even in this lifetime. It includes instruction about what foods are good for us and those substances to avoid. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. The church clarified its interpretation of the Word of Wisdom, its dietary rules meant to keep members from consuming unhealthy substances. Once a person understands how the Atonement applies to them in all things, they won’t get stuck in a rut of thinking they can never change or that being healthy is too hard. For another look at this issue, go to “Why are Mormons not allowed to drink coffee?”. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Thank you! The way that D&C 89 has been generally interpreted  seems to be subjective eisegesis, or interpretation based more on one’s personal presuppositions than the context of a passage. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Until maybe tomorrow or next week. As part of a culture of faith, Latter-day Saints understand that each person is striving to become like Christ — to become perfect. Although the facts of a person’s circumstances and their cultural and environmental influencers may mean that they are overweight, have limited access to fresh food, were raised with bad eating habits, or any number of other factors, that doesn’t mean they are destined to be unhealthy, Cordell said. The church and its members should be called. But there are also some instructions about what people should eat and how they should approach their overall relationship with food. The only difference is that the leaves in black tea are fermented and in green tea they’re not. “The Atonement allows us to break down the boxes we put ourselves in,” he said. “But there are ways that we can use our understanding of the gospel and the doctrines and the culture and the environment (of the Church) … to help us have healthier behaviors,” Cordell said. The Doubling Down of the LDS Church: The Word of Wisdom Ain’t Going Away, At Least for Now By Eric Johnson (Revised 8/27/2019) Prior to the April 2019 General Conference, there were some who were predicting a possible change in Mormonism to allow coffee and tea, both of which are banned in the Word of Wisdom. Green tea and black tea are both made from the leaves of the exact same tea plant. The community for those interested in faithful discussions related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members, known colloquially as "Mormons". The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It sure seems so because, just a few months after that April conference, an article came out in the August 2019 New Era magazine titled “Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana.” The subtitle reads, “Let’s clear up a few items that young people today may be confused about when it comes to the Word of Wisdom.” This magazine is aimed at the Mormon teenagers. “The idea is that we are progressing. This includes the Word of Wisdom, but also includes gospel teachings like the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal perspective that all people are children of God. Discussions of Book of Mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... 2019 … The "Word of Wisdom," which one must abide by in order to go to the temple, prevents members from using or consuming alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, coffee, tea, and "harmful substances. It provides a way to overcome those barriers, he said. That’s way, way far from the truth. In addition to the Word of Wisdom, the doctrine of the gospel gives Latter-day Saints an understanding that all people were created in the image of God. “Carbs are not the devil,” Cordell said, laughing and noting that some of the modern health trends claim as much. A group of women cross North Temple on their way to the Conference Center before the general women’s session of the 189th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. It’s the same thing with our health. “That was the point of the Atonement — that we can grow.”. The church again restated that no tea, green or black, conforms to the rules. The Word of Wisdom … Do not taste! Mormon Stories October 9, 2017 Addiction, Ex-Mormon Stories, Marriage & Family, Mixed-Faith Marriages, Top 15 Mental Health, Word of Wisdom 9 Comments As part 1 in a new Mormon Stories Podcast series on navigating mixed-faith marriages, we interview Kirsten and David Udy. California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado), this statement apparently needed to be included. 13.1k. On February 27, 1833, Joseph Smith received a revelation while inquiring of the Lord. The Word of Wisdom is a law of health for the physical and spiritual benefit of God’s children. Members. “We believe that nothing is beyond God’s power and that we can do all things through Christ,” Cordell said. After describing how “wine,” “strong drink,” and “tobacco” were not good, verse 9 adds that “hot drinks are not for the body or belly.” The church interprets this verse this way on its website: Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 says we shouldn’t drink “hot drinks.” The only official interpretation of this term is the statement made by early Church leaders that it means tea and coffee. . What does it mean to live an intentional life? With the legalization of marijuana in states where many Latter-day Saints reside (i.e. In the Word of Wisdom, there is a list of things that Latter-day Saints are told not to consume. In a recent article in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, John Ferguson, Jana Riess, and I share results from the 2016 Next Mormons Survey regarding observance of the Word of Wisdom among self-identified American Mormons. Education Week attendees listen and take notes during devotional at BYU Education Week in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. Credit: Rebekah Baker, BYU. The Word of Wisdom in Mormon Scriptures According to Section 89 of The Doctrine and Covenants , 1 God revealed these guidelines to Joseph Smith on February 27, 1833. Monday, December 09, 2019 Word of Wisdom Update: Be Cautious with Green Tea Extract For example, consider this article that describes “25 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Coffee that you may not know.” If the Word of Wisdom is a “health code,” then how could coffee be shown to be beneficial? I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by this New Era article that came out just a few months after the massive speculation. Before we discuss the church’s double-down move, we must first understand what Joseph Smith claimed to be told by God in the LDS scripture called the Doctrine and Covenants. That welds it to our culture and traditions. Do not touch!”? I have yet to meet a Mormon that follows this and I’ve never met a single Mormon leader that cared. 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. For discussion of freedom and political issues in general. Education Week attendees listen and take notes during an Education Week devotional on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. The third influencer is a person’s environment. Is caffeine bad? Here, I’ll delve into Sabbath-keeping, the Word of Wisdom and whether Latter-day Saints are still expected to wear their temple garments around … The review was written by Latter-day Saint Lance Starr who said drinking coffee and tea could lead to esophageal cancer. … You’re going to continue to mess up. Education Week attendees listen and take notes during devotional at BYU Education Week in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. In verse 4, Smith recorded the Lord saying, 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—. The Word of Wisdom doesn’t mention it”). In earlier days, many Latter-day Saints refused to drink soda with caffeine. Vaping is clearly against the Word of Wisdom. In fact, D&C 89 doesn’t say anything about soda or other drinks with caffeine, even though I have been told by many former Mormons that they were taught this by their local leaders. See what the Tallahassee Florida Temple will look like Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the rendering and location of the Tallahassee Florida Temple. 1. If so, I can only imagine the leaders will someday say “drink coffee and tea, but with moderation” in his pronouncement. Second, there is the culture that comes from being part of a church and a faith community. 311 posts Page 7 of 11. 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. Prior to the April 2019 General Conference, there were some who were predicting a possible change in Mormonism to allow coffee and tea, both of which are banned in the Word of Wisdom. All people are children of God, he continued, and that means all things are possible through Christ. Less than half (45%) of American Mormons, for example, said that they had … Not only did the church remind its followers (in the introduction) that coffee and tea are still not allowed, but also any type of drink that has coffee. Indeed, there will be no going back on coffee, tea, or any other vice. If there are too many complaints about female missionaries having to wear dresses, then they seem to be fine allowing them to wear slacks. Is caffeine bad? Latter-day Saints, with the Word of Wisdom as a foundation and mindful of both the scriptures and the counsel of a living prophet, are encouraged to personalize their health regimen and-just like anyone else who chooses to live a healthy lifestyle-quickly realize that there are many paths and options. In the BYU Education Week course titled “Recognizing Our Doctrinal and Cultural Relationship between Faith and Physical Health” on Wednesday, Aug. 21, on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah, Cordell highlighted three main influencers that connect food and physical health to the gospel for Latter-day Saints.