Why Mormons Don't Drink Coffee (and Other Disctinctive LDS Practices)

People have a lot of questions about distinctive Mormon practices.

Do a Google search: Do Mormons ______? Results: Do Mormons wash their hair? Can Mormons wear make-up? Can Mormons have french fries? Because LDS do have a number of distinctive practices, this can be confusing. Let’s explore three of them…

The “Word of Wisdom”

• See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng
• Found in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants (1833)
• What it prohibits
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco
• Tea and coffee. The text says “hot drinks” but LDS prophets have taught that this means tea and coffee.
• This applies even if you drink them cold
• Common reasoning: it must be because of caffeine, so no caffeinated soda sold at BYU (for example)
• But this interpretation is now largely rejected → caffeinated soda is OK
• What it encourages
• Fruits and wholesome herbs, including vegetables, are good
• Grains are good
• Meat is good if used sparingly (specifies: in winter, cold, famine)
• This is largely ignored and not enforced. Every town in Utah has at least one burger joint.
• Once it was seen as sound advice, but not really enforced as today
• J. Smith drank wine
• B. Young used snuff and drank tea
• In Brigham Young’s day: alcohol was permitted, but not to excess
• Over time it became a requirement for full activity in church, for example, for worthiness to enter LDS temple
• This applies to the part about alcohol, tobacco, and hot drinks, but not meat
• Recent survey: only 45% of Mormons strictly conform / 61% of “very active”
• ⅓ of current Mormons reported consuming coffee
• ¼ reported consuming alcohol; ⅙ reported using tobacco
• Word of Wisdom observance is changing
• Alcohol: Boomers 14%; Millennials 29%
• Marijuana: Boomers 4%; Millennials 17%
• Even more dramatic changes in attitude than in practice
• Abstaining from alcohol is essential to being considered a good Mormon: Boomers 75%; Millennials 46%
• Reflections: it is wise to eat healthy
• Irony: Utah leads nation in several unhealthy dietary practices, like consumption of ice cream / soft drinks / cookies → more unhealthy than moderate coffee or tea usage
• Bible moves away from strict regulations about food
• These can even be a negative for a Xian
• Colossians 2:16 (NLT) So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink.
• Colossians 2:20-21 (NLT) You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep following the rules of the world, such as “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate when we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
• Bible points us to broad principles: will it master me? Will it benefit me?
• 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
• 1 Corinthians 10:23-26 (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”

Special Undergarments

• See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/tools/what-is-the-temple-garment?lang=eng
• Worthy Mormons go to temple to participate in sacred rituals essential for salvation
• (More next week)
• Once initiated → start wearing “temple garment”
• Seen as a sign of the covenants a person makes in temple → constant reminder
• It is a special form of underwear
• Two parts: top and bottom
• Warning: discussing this is a sensitive subject on two counts
• It’s about the temple, which is considered sacred
• It’s about intimate apparel
• Can only be purchased from the church’s outlets, by those with temple access card
• Many LDS view garment as providing spiritual and even physical protection
• Many stories in LDS folklore about how sacred undergarments protected from serious accident, fire, etc.
• Many religious traditions involve some sort of ritual clothing
• Nuns: habit; Judaism: yarmulke; Islam: headscarves; Sikhs: turban; etc.
• For active Mormons: the undergarment
• Changes in practices - always recommended to wear it 24/7, unless impossible
• More recently, emphasis on a lifetime commitment to wear it
• Different perspectives / customs about when it’s acceptable to remove
• Exercising? Doctor check-up? Yardwork? Hot or humid day?
• Millennial LDS have a more relaxed view of when it’s okay to remove garment
• Reflections:
• Bible doesn’t require any kind of special clothing to reflect our commitment to Jesus

Food Storage

• Growing up: 2 years’ supply → today: 1 year
• Why food storage? To prepare for times of adversity, to care for self and neighbor
• History of opposition from outsiders
• Culture of self-reliance from pioneer experience
• A belief that things will get bad worldwide before Jesus returns
• LDS website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/food-storage?lang=eng
• Food supply (3-month and long-term)
• Long-term defined as 1-year supply “of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans”
• Drinking water
• Financial reserve
• Reflections
• It’s wise to plan ahead. Bible: consider the ant.
• Proverbs 30:24-25 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer.
• But ultimately, we’re called to rely on God’s care and provision.
• Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT) “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
• No matter how much money you have in the bank or how much food stored, it could all disappear quickly → need to ultimately trust in God, who promises to provide for his people.