After the men who were members of the "School of the prophets" were made to stop spitting their chewing tobacco on the floor for Emma to clean up, Smith interpreted the "hot drinks" to mean coffee and tea, as a means of making women give up something they enjoyed as the men were made to give up their tobacco.

Yes, and let's also remember that in the list of supplies that Brigham Young published for the Mormons to take on the trek west in 1845, he advised to take a certain poundage of coffee and tea.

Besides if I read the 89th section of the D&C it says that it's not a commandment and also iced tea should be completely in accordance with what it says.

The current prohibition against coffee and tea had nothing to do with the 1833 WoW. Rather, it originated in Utah in the 1860s, when Brigham Young saw a financial report which listed the amount of money that Mormons had spent on coffee and tea imported from "Gentiles" in one year (IIRC, it was $62,000.) Upon learning that, Young advised his disciples that if they couldn't grow their own, then rather than enriching the evil Gentiles, they should simply do without.

And that is the specific reason why Mormons don't drink coffee and tea to this day. It has absolutely nothing to do with "the Lord's law of health," but rather sprang from an economic issue. Of course, church leaders of today have to maintain that the prohibition is for health reasons, so that the false image of the WoW being an inspired "Lord's law of health" can be maintained in the eyes of the naive faithful.

Another "nutty" conversation with a true believing Mormon (TBM).

Mormon: We don't drink tea because of the caffeine. God wanted us before science knew about the dangers of caffeine.

Me: But you drink Coke and that has more caffeine than tea. Chocolate also has caffeine but there is no ban on those items.

Mormon: Change that we don't drink tea because of the tanic acid, that's it tanic acid.

Me: So you don't eat walnuts either?

Mormon: Of course we do why?

Me: They have more tanic acid than tea. Why would God tell you to avoid tanic acid and not tell you about walnuts?

Mormon: I don't know, you are just a stupid anti who is trying to twist my words. I know the Church is true. Good Bye

While I was still active, I went to a friends house for dinner. His mother made the usual huge pitcher of sweet tea. My friend tried to explain that as a Mormon I couldn't drink tea as it was against my religion.

Her reply was priceless.

"Oh bullshit, there is nothing wrong with sweet tea. If he doesnt like it he can drink water from the toilet. I swear! Who ever heard of such bullshit that a Southern boy can't drink tea?"

I'm always amazed how focused and judgmental Mormons are about the Word of Emma, err, I mean Wisdom. Those wishing to hold fast to the fables like to point out how inspired and ahead of his time Joe Smith was to have even fathomed such an inspired code of health. This of course ignores some important facts, the first being that it wasn't Ol Joe's idea at all, but rather Emma's. It seems Joe Ol Joe liked to "hold court" with the boys who would be prophets, and Emma was tired of the smoke she had to smell, the boorish behavior helped along by booze, the ashes and chaw she had to clean up after.

"Joe", says she, "why don't we adopt the health concepts of temperance so common among other religious folk these days? Demon rum robs a man of his spirit and his dignity. All the churches are doing it, why don't we?"

"Holy Puritan Abstinence!", blurts out Joe, "me give up my divine elixir or the gods?". "Well mother" he says, "tell you what, let's make it optional. Let's make it a good idea, not a commandment. Please Emma, I'm dyin here, throw me a bone".

"Very well Ol Joe, I'll give you this on one condition. I've noticed yur eyes a wonderin over the sisters, if you promise to keep your hands off of em, I guess you can still have your cigar and liquor. A woman could do worse I suppose."

And so the word of wisdom was born. You know, the one Ol Joe himself never lived up to, finding comfort in a bottle right up to the last day. You know the one that says don't eat meat except in times of cold and famine, but it's ok to ignore that part. You know, the one that apparently teaches that it's ok to be 100 pounds overweight and slop down the hot cocoa with your six eggs and half pound of bacon, just as long as you keep your meaty mitts of that coffee pot. You know, the one that goes on and on about grain and meat and hot drinks and strong drinks, but it's ok to ignore all that. The only thing that matters is coffee, tobacco and alcohol. The rest of that stuff is still just in the wisdom category. So go ahead, serve up a healthy dose of sloppy joes, burgers and dogs smack dab in the middle of summer for the ward social. Just don't drink a beer with it or your going straight down to hell. WHY? Because GOD SAID SO!

Or was it Emma, it's all so confusing.

Every major scientific,medical and dietary group in the world recommends tea as being good for ones health. It is full of antioxidants and other healthgiving compounds. Why would god command us to not drink such a healthy food? - 12/12/2003 - anon

Until the late nineteenth century, when Parliament spent years and fortunes building comprehensive water-treatment and sewerage systems covering the entire country, nobody in Great Britain ever drank water. They drank coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, whisky, gin, and "small beer" -- ale with a very low alcohol content -- but never water. People think it strange these days when they read Charles Dickens writing about mere children entering a pub and ordering a pint of ale, but there was nothing unusual about it 150 years ago.

Until Louis Pasteur published his Microbial Theory, nobody could explain -- but everyone knew -- that people who drank water got sick and died. In fact, this common knowledge was so reliable that when the poet Shelley decided to commit suicide, he chose not to hang himself, stab himself, shoot himself, eat rat poison, jump off a tall building, or any of the other favourite methods, but instead . . . to drink a glass of water!

Sure enough, he was dead within days.

So one wonders why all those tens of thousands of early converts to the LDS church didn't all immediately keel over and croak. Surely it can't have been that the whole lot of them didn't believe for one second the Church's claims, and were just in it for the chance to emigrate to Utah and be given a farm, and were all boozing it up like they'd always done? No, no, perish the thought! They were blessed by the Lord, of course. - 09/22/2003 - from ShakespeareWales

The Church did not require all members of the Church to live WOW until the late 1920s. Coffee was included on the supply lists issued by Brigham Young. This probably help save the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of our pioneer ancestors because one must boil the water to make coffee! - 06/03/2002 - Elder Max Wellhouse

"In the evening, they met for the endowment. The fast was then broken by eating light wheat bread, and drinking as much wine as they saw proper. Smith knew well how to infuse the spirit which they expected to receive; so he encouraged the brethren to drink freely, telling them that the wine was consecrated, and would not make them drunk.....they began to prophecy, pronounce blessings upon their friends, and curses on their enemies. If I should be so unhappy as to go to the regions of the damned, I would never expect to hear language more awful, or more becoming the infernal pit, than was uttered that night." - References from Mormonism, Shadow or Reality, by Tanners Mormonism Portrayed by William Harris, pp 31-32,

"Sunday, November 21, 1880....Brother Milo Andress spoke of blessings and power of God manifested in the Kirtland Temple. Said he once asked the Prophet why he (Milo) did not feel the power that was spoken of as the power that was felt on the day of the Pentecost?....when we had fasted for 24 hours and partaken of the Lord's supper, namely a piece of bread as big as your double fist and a half pint of wine in the Temple. I was there and saw the Holy Ghost descend upon the heads of those present like cloven tongues of fire." - Diary of Charles L. Walker 1855-1902, excerpts typed 1969, page 35.

Journal of Discourses Vol. 2, page 216. Statement of Apostle George A. Smith. Reference to the drunken party at the Kirtland endowment.

In a statement dated February 27, 1885, Mrs Alfred Morley made this comment: "I have heard many Mormons who attended the dedication, or endowment of the Temple say that very many became drunk....The Mormon leaders would stand up to prophesy and were so drunk they said they could not get it out and would call for another drink. Over a barrel of liquor was used at the service." - Naked Truths About Mormonism Oakland, California, April 1888, page 2.

Isaac Aldrich stated: "My brother, Hazen Aldrich, who as president of the Seventies, told me when the Temple was dedicated a barrel of wine was used and they had a drunken pow-wow." (ibid.,page 3)

Stephen H. Hart gave this information: "Mr McWhithey, who was a Mormon...said he attended a service which lasted from 10 AM until 4 PM, and there was another service in the evening. The Lord's Supper was celebrated and they passed the wine in pails several times to the audience, and each person drank as much as he chose from a cup. He said it was mixed liquor and he believed the Mormon leaders intended to get the audience under the influence of the mixed liquor, so they would believe it was the Lord's doings....When the liquor was repassed, Mr McWhithey told them he had endowment enough, and said he wanted to get out of the Temple, which was densely crowded." (ibid., page 3)

You might remember that David Whitmer called the endowment a "trumped up yarn," and said "There was no visitation." The Des Moines Daily News, October 16, 1886

What I can't understand is why the prophet doesn't get off his ass and give us part 2 of the word of wisdom. That would be the part about
SUGAR/SALT/FAT.

More people die from heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes than from lung cancer and emphysema.

In the mid-1980s at BYU, I was assigned to skim newspapers published circa 1820-1844 for articles about Mormonism. I reviewed hundreds of publications and literally thousands of copies of newspapers. It was extremely time-consuming, but as a result, I became something of an expert on the time period. Here's something I learned about the WOW. In the 1820s and 30s, there was a raging debate over the health effects of drinking cold vs. hot drinks. The debate was evidenced in numerous articles by supposed "doctors," supported by anecdotes of people who died instantly after drinking a hot or cold beverage. There were even town meetings where the parties would square-off against each other. It seems irrational to modern folk, but the medical minds in Joseph Smith's era honestly believed that drinking fluids of excessive temperature (too hot or too cold) could KILL or injure you. This was an extraordinarily divisive issue. When the WOW came out (with its recommendation against "hot" drinks) the saints would have clearly understood it as speaking to this issue. Early Mormons would not have viewed the WOW as a prohibition against coffee and tea -- so long as the beverage had cooled enough to be safe. In hindsight, it turns out that the WOW chose the wrong side of the debate. From a public health standpoint, it would have been better for the saints (who lived on what was then the American frontier) to have consumed drinks that require boiled water, such as coffee and tea. By boiling the water, they would have killed the microorganisms that cause disease. Of course, the science of public sanitation was almost non-existent and they did not associate bad drinking water with health problems. Not so prophetic after all.

Yours in the [un]faith, I am
--Eddie

When I was a mishy in France, the French had an aversion to COLD drinks. They would comment about Americans drinking beverages with ice was mal pour la sante. This comment about 19th century thinking about the TEMPERATURE of the beverage really makes sense. Having experienced how people were convinced that COLD drinks were harmful, I can now understand how people could believe that hot drinks could be dangerous. It's the TEMPERATURE of the drink Joe was talking about. I think I finally get it. And that was such a good comment about 19th century people would have been WAY better off boiling their beverages before drinking to kill the bugs. Hmmmm....any retrospective studies where you could trace incidence of cholera, etc. in 19th century Mormon populations where HOT drinks were not supposed to be consumed vs. gentile groups in similar situations where the water was boiled? But didn't the early Utah saints drink Brigham tea, etc.?

If God cared so much about the health of the Saints to tell them that tobacco was bad for them, "long before science knew" (untrue, of course), then why had thousands of innocent men, women and children had to die horrible deaths because God didn't care to tell his prophet: "boil the water"? - 07/04/2001 - Pravda from the recovery bulletin board

In my teenage years, I did drugs and drank alcohol, and I couldn't go one single day without caffeine. I was very unhealthy and very unhappy. It was only through repentance, faith and REALLY hard work that I was able to overcome the vices of these addictive substances. When I started practicing the Word of Wisdom my whole life changed. I felt good on the inside and out. I made the change because I care about my body. IT'S NOT EASY to overcome addiction. That is why it's called the word of wisdom, because it's WISE to not get addicted in the first place. It has been a long and difficult journey. People of ALL faiths should try to be healthy. I follow it because I want to be healthy and strong. EVERYONE has the freedom to take all things they are taught and do with it as they please. ANYTHING that creates dependence is not good for you. I just ran my first half-marathon, I NEVER could have done that without my faith. God bless you with good health too, I pray that you can gain a testimony of this wonderful word of wisdom. - 04/10/2008 - heather, california

Hi all. One way to settle all the concern about the Word of Wisdom is to go directly to the source of revelation (which is how the Bible came into existence - through revelation to prohets and apostles). I know through prayer that the Word is Wisdom is a true revelation from God and the blessings contained in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 are His promises to all who sincerely experiment on His word (John 7: 16-17)

I know my Heavenely Father aswers sincere prayer. I know His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Saviour of this world. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church.

Sincerely yours - 12/15/2007 - Sean Kelloway, Australia.

I am a current member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and found the previous article/comments about the ban on "hot drinks" rather interesting. I was told there was nothing wrong with consuming caffine in moderation so I don't understand why some mormons are opposed to the idea altogether. As for the hot drinks we do take it to mean coffee and all teas except for hearbal teas and I was told it was because of the tanic acid contained inside that was not good for human consumption. I was told tanic acid is used to tan leather with and the tanic acid basically does the same thing to our stomachs when we consume drinks containing the acid and I'm sure none of us wants our insides to be tanned! But I had no idea that there was tanic acid in walnuts. I guess I know which nuts to avoid now! This article has brought up many good points and many more questions even to the point where I'm starting to question my faith and my decision to join the church. While I firmly believe in the core gospel of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice for all mankind I'm a little unsure of blindly following the word of wisdom which may or may not be ordained of God and passed down to man (Joseph Smith). While coffe may not be good for our bodies their have been many studies to show that many teas (especially green tea) are very beneficial as they are chock full of antioxidants so I think it's a shame we can't comsume these beverages as they do seem to be rather healthy. (Unless it's because they contain too much tanic acid. I'm not sure of that one.) Anyway, I'll be doing a lot of thinking now about hot drinks and will be asking my bishop/elders many questions about the word of wisdom until it starts to make more sense to me. - 10/26/2007 - June Wilkinson

Why do you have to be a hater? They believe something, you believe something. Orthodox Jews don't eat meat and cheese together, Muslims don't drink alcohol, Vegetarians don't eat meat, I don't eat liver because I think it's nasty. It's nothing to get huffy about. If you want to get pissy about something, find something pertinent to someone...anyone, like corruption in the government or AIDS awareness. - 10/19/2007 - Otis Holiday

My what a lot of strange and weird tales I just read. It pays to check your sources and then check them again! We as members of the Church of Latter-day Saints are expected to use wisdom in all that we consume. Herb teas that do not have tanic acid are okay. We all know that liquor can lead to early death and cigarettes can too. I stand by the Word of Wisdom as it was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the Lord. It was not given as a commandment in the beginning. People needed time to adjust and alter their life styles. But it is now given to the members of the LDS Faith as a commandment through later revelation to the Lord's Prophet. The test of time will prove these things correct, so hold on to your seat, keep an open mind and a honest seeking heart. - 10/04/2007 - julia True blue and Mormon too!

Why are only negative comments entered on this site? Will positive comments even be printed? Under 'Tragic absurdity of the Word of Wisdom,' how much evidence is needed to know that tobacco use is unwise? Horrible deaths from cancer by both sexes are common knowledge. MANY are due to tobacco use.

As to alcohol: use can cause breakdown of the individual, then friends and family; loss of employment, then spousal abuse, and often a precursor to the use of illegal drugs are some of the outcomes of alcohol abuse.

I have a strong testimony of the wisdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith when he brought forth the Word of Wisdom. I'm sorry that the rest of you have spent your valuable time looking for ways to disprove revelation. - 09/28/2007 - Linda in New Mexico

There are many comments where mormons try to defend themselves using scientific logic. This, as you have so expertly pointed out, proves to be fruitless. You want an answer why I don't drink coffee or tea? How about because a prophet of God told me not to! Think that's a dumb reason? Look at examples throughout the bible where God commanded something to be done BEFORE the blessing. Abraham and isaac, Peter walking on the water, Daniel and the lions den, Shadrach meshach and abednego cast into the fiery furnace- the list goes on. I choose to follow the council of God through his prophets. Why? I've had personal experiences that have led me to beleive such. If you don't want to live according to it, that's your choice. Good luck in life.

Yours truly, - 05/10/2007 - The tea-free mormon - Phly man

I WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP IN Scotland and there were many door to door visits from very handsome men. I was later told that was a trick to lure more people to join the church. Needless to sat the latter didn't impress me at all. Also the ban against consuming caffeine. - 05/14/2006 - fiona Struthers

ya know, we are all so afraid of which we do not understand.

(for Pravda)...if God so loved the world, why did he allow you to be born? Wow. Such deep thoughts. - 12/13/2006 - Go do something positive.

I am a member of the LDS church, or a mormon. First off, the story about Emma not liking to clean up the tobacco after the meetings is true. However, Joseph Smith didn't just create the Word of Wisdom himself. He prayed to the Lord and asked the Lord how they should conduct themselves. The Lord revealed the Word of Wisdom to Joseph Smith to protect the members of the church. It is true the Word of Wisdom is not a commandment, but it was given as ?a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.? (D&C 89:3.)

The other thing I wanted to mention was that missionaries (the handsome men that "lure" people to the church) only go to people's doors to find people who might be interested in hearing about the LDS faith. If they happen to be handsome, it's not their fault. Most missionaries are young men fresh out of high school, who volunteer their time to teach others about the LDS faith. The LDS church does not want to "lure" people to the church. They want to find people interested in the faith, so they can teach them more.

I don't know if anyone who reads this will believe me, but being LDS, I wanted to explain things to the best of my ability. - 07/27/2006 - a member of the Curch of jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

I am from Czech republic, and now I live in France for 4 months /excuse me for my English/I started to asociate with LDS and thrice I visited their chappel, then I started to study something about them and alsou you wwwldslampoon.com is very beneficial. It shows whats this Restored Church really is, I dont want have nothing common with them, I want to have Jesus as my Lord, not Mr Hincley or other men. Your page is funny, but I can imagine, that it is not always funny a humorous to see for example your neigbours and friends, who are LDS, and you love them, how they are leading astray. You helped me very much and continue go on.

Thanks - 08/25/2003 - Daniel