This topic really interests me.
Initially the doctrine is clear and unambiguous.
"And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly." (D&C 89:9)
But then modern day leaders muddied the waters.
"Tea and coffee (see Doctrine and Covenants 89:9; latter-day prophets have taught that the term “hot drinks,” as written in this verse, refers to tea and coffee)." But this lead to further confusion, so further "clarification" (in scare quotes because when the Church clarifies things it usually makes those things less clear) was needed. Which came along in 2019.
"The word coffee isn’t always in the name of coffee drinks. So, before you try what you think is just some new milkshake flavor, here are a couple of rules of thumb: (1) If you’re in a coffee shop (or any other shop that’s well-known for its coffee), the drink you’re ordering probably has coffee in it, so either never buy drinks at coffee shops or always ask if there’s coffee in it. (2) Drinks with names that include café or caffé, mocha, latte, espresso, or anything ending in -ccino are coffee and are against the Word of Wisdom."
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... a?lang=eng
Church leaders also started to prohibit cold drinks.
"Green tea and black tea are both made from the leaves of the exact same tea plant. The only difference is that the leaves in black tea are fermented and in green tea they’re not. They’re both tea and against the Word of Wisdom. Some drinks have tea in them but don’t advertise that fact, so always check the ingredients. Also, iced tea is still tea."
Of course, this lead to speculation about caffeine, because caffeine is synonymous with other drinks not prohibited by the word of wisdom - like Coca Cola etc. "Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine. The Church’s health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and “hot drinks” — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee."
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... -august-29
Jeffrey R Holland has been seen buying coffee ice cream. Monson had a Pepsi addiction.
So if the problem isn't the temperature of the drink, and the problem isn't the caffeine in the drink (how can to be either if Coca Cola etc isn't prohibited) then what is the health issue with tea and coffee that is worse in Gods eyes top the health issues associated with consumption of carbonated drinks etc?
The fact is, the Church cannot now give an answer, because all it's "clarifications" on the matter have made it increasingly less clear. Tea and Coffee consumption will keep you out of the temple on health grounds. Overeating to the point of chronic obesity won't. Health Code? Really?