Why can't Mormons drink tea or coffee?

Question

one of my best friends is Mormon, i was just wondering why she isn't allowed to drink certain everyday things.

Answer 1

In the Mormon faith, caffeine and alcohol are prohibited, as stimulants that affect the mind. So you may have noticed that your friend never drinks Coke or Pepsi either, as they also have caffeine in them. 7Up, Sprite, and orange soda are all okay, as is fruit juice and other caffeine-free beverages.

I wonder about chocolate. Chocolate actually has no caffeine in it, but it has another chemical -- theobromine -- which has a stimulant effect similar to caffeine. Perhaps another Mormon can answer this question for us?

Answer 2

Branding caffeine as prohibited by Mormonism is inaccurate, in my opinion. The commandment is to avoid coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco. Some members of my faith have theorized that it is the caffeine, but that is personal interpretation, not church doctrine.

The important thing is that God has again spoken. Just as he commanded Moses concerning dietary habits in Leviticus, and Peter about eating the blood of sacrifice in the book of Acts, he has again told us how to preserve our bodies as temples of God.

Answer 3

Here is a few verses out of The Doctrine and Covenants (a book that we believe is scripture like the Bible and the Book of Mormon)

Section 89
4 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—
5 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.
6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
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.
9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

We also believe in modern day prophets, and they have intrepreted "hot drinks" as coffee and tea. So to answer your question, we have been told by those who we believe are prophets of God not to drink them.

Answer 4

Coffee and tea have caffeine in them, and caffeine is a stimulant - a drug. Mormons are taught to treat their natural bodies as sacred, and not to alter their awareness in any way. So no caffeine, because they'd be hyper.

Answer 5

Caffeine is a stimulant, like nicotine or alcohol, which alters the natural state of the body. Substances like these are forbidden by their religious beliefs.

Answer 6

Because they believe that God gave them their bodies and it is very important to take care of them, since they are in the image of God, and not pollute them with drugs, such as alcohol, caffeine (in coffee and tea) or nicotine.

Answer 7

Just keep in mind that just because they can't. Doesn't mean they dont. I personaly believe its just another form of religon over stepping their bounds. If all religon would get a clue and just let people live & let live.....figure it out. What do you think has been the cause of nearly every war in history? --> Religon!!

Answer 8

It's not that we CAN'T, but we have this "word of wisdom" its called, and it just advises against the use of things like that and includes drugs and things.... we treat our bodies as they are sacred. Not that everyone really does everything they should...nobody does, i'm sure! Good thing though.

Answer 9

Caffine is a drug...she could prolly drink like herbal tea though

Answer 10

because caffeine - also found in fizzy soft drinks like Coke - is a stimulant and is therefore prohibited.