Clarification on the W.o.W

[_rallychild]

I began a conversation with a nice LDS mother that works at the desk right behind me. We got on the topic of alcoholic beverages and what Mormon doctrine says in D&C 89 regarding what substances the saints should stay away from. The lady I work with was adamant that D&C 89 specifically mentioned refraining from using tea and coffee. I had to look it up and show her that it says nothing about tea and coffee specifically, rather "hot drinks" and "strong drinks." She then stated that in a temple recommend review, they ask whether or not coffee or tea has been consumed recently. I stated that all of the temple reccommend interviews I have been in, I have never been asked whether I drink tea or coffee, rather if I have simply been obedient to the word of wisdom. Can I get some clarification on whether or not drinking tea or coffee is doctrinal? Thanks

[_Stormy Waters]

The discrepancy between D&C 89 and how the word of wisdom is practiced today is a common topic. But yes coffee and tea are against the current rules.

http://Mormon.org/faq/law-of-health

In addition to emphasizing the benefits of proper eating and physical and spiritual health, God has spoken against the use of:

Tobacco.
Alcohol.
Coffee and tea.
Illegal drugs.
God promises great physical and spiritual blessings to those who follow the Word of Wisdom. Today, the scientific community promotes some of the same principles that a loving God gave to Joseph Smith nearly two centuries ago.

[_rallychild]

The discrepancy between D&C 89 and how the word of wisdom is practiced today is a common topic. But yes coffee and tea are against the current rules.

When did this become official church doctrine?

[_Stormy Waters]

The discrepancy between D&C 89 and how the word of wisdom is practiced today is a common topic. But yes coffee and tea are against the current rules.

When did this become official church doctrine?

It's a little complicated, I recommend this blog post.

http://www.withoutend.org/word-wisdom-early-mormon-commandment-identity-marker/

[_rallychild]

I recommend this blog post.

I understand that tea and coffee are against the rules, but i'm having a difficult time finding when and who exactly specified that tea and coffee consumption was prohibited to be obedient to the WoW.

[_3sheets2thewind]

For the official statement on caffeine see here

LDS church caffeine statement

[_Stormy Waters]

I don't know exactly, it started I believe with all hot liquids being off limits.

D&C 89:9 "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly."

From the blog post a letter written by W.W. Phelps says,

"They keep the words of wisdom in Kirtland, they drink cold water; they don’t even mention tea and coffee. they pray night and morning and everything seems to say O behold the Lord is nigh!”

I'll have to look up when it became speficially tea and coffee.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

She then stated that in a temple recommend review, they ask whether or not coffee or tea has been consumed recently. I stated that all of the temple recommend interviews I have been in, I have never been asked whether I drink tea or coffee, rather if I have simply been obedient to the word of wisdom. Can I get some clarification on whether or not drinking tea or coffee is doctrinal?

Here is the relevant temple recommend question (it's # 11 on the list):

Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

No specific mention of "coffee or tea," but I guess it could come up if the member asks for clarification.

In Section 17.2.11 (p. 163) of current Handbook 1 (the same statement appears in Handbook 2, pp. 194-95), there is this statement concerning the interpretation of "hot drinks":

The only official interpretation of "hot drinks" (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early Church leaders that the term "hot drinks" means tea and coffee.

There is no reference to which "early Church leaders" said this, however.

[_Fence Sitter]

Even now I keep the WOW as well or better than Joseph Smith did.

"Wiskey oh how can I live without wiskey?"

[_rallychild]

For the official statement on caffeine see here

From the article: "Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine."