DiscussMormonism.com

TMB
Hannah
Kara

Welcome to Mormon.org chat
Thank you for your interest in talking to missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The purpose of Mormon.org chat is to answer basic questions about the church and its beliefs and to provide opportunities to learn more.

Missionaries will be with you shortly.

NOW CHATTING WITH KARA & HANNAH

K Hi! How are you? 9:25 AM

H Are you there? 9:26 AM

TMB yes 9:26 AM

H What can we do for you today? 9:27 AM

TMB I have a question about drinking coffee. I am interested in your church and my neighbor is helping me understand your beliefs. 9:27 AM

H That's cool! What are your questions so far? 9:29 AM

TMB I have an Intestinal problem which my Doctor has been treating with a cup of coffee prior to eating. I treat this as a Prescription but my neighbor has told me I must stop drinking coffee to join your church. Is that true? 9:31 AM

H Yes, we believe that the Lord has given us a health code through the Prophet Joseph Smith--part of this health code includes not drinking tea or coffee. 9:32 AM

K And when we have faith to live these commandments and trust in God's wisdom we are blessed! 9:35 AM

TMB I have asked my Doctor about giving up coffee and he has advised me that the pharmaceutical alternate will cause health complications that will be harmful to me. So, can I join your church if I drink coffee under a doctor’s recommendation? 9:36 AM

K I think that the best answers to that question will come through prayer, and talking to the bishop of the ward you live in! 9:37 AM

TMB Bishop? 9:37 AM

K Yes, so the Bishop is the local leader of the congregation! 9:40 AM

TMB Is he a doctor? 9:40 AM

K No, not necessarily! Leadership in the church does not depend on your educational background. 9:43 AM

H Bishops provide spiritual guidance and leadership for the people in their congregations--the Lord qualifies these men to help those they lead. 9:43 AM

TMB I am a little confused. My doctor recommends coffee as a treatment and you are saying a non-doctor bishop will help me understand what I should do? 9:44 AM

H What it really comes down to is trusting the Lord. Our Heavenly Father designed our bodies and He knows what is and isn't good for them more than we do. So He revealed this health code--it's called the Word of Wisdom--to help us take care of our bodies. It's a leap of faith, but the Lord doesn't let us down. 9:46 AM

TMB Does it help that the coffee I drink in non-caffeinated?

Where can I find the text of the document Word of Wisdom? 9:47 AM

H Maybe, but the principle is really more about faith and obedience. 9:48 AM

K Here is a link to the section of the Doctrine and Covenants that this Word of Wisdom is laid out in "Hot drinks are not for the body or belly." Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 9:48 AM

TMB Oh, this is great. The coffee is no longer a problem because I can replace it with Wine!

Now it is not a problem. Thanks, I will tell my neighbor. Where can I buy LDS Wine? 9:51 AM

K Actually no, wine also is against the Word of Wisdom- along with any form of alcohol and other illicit drugs or addictive substances. 9:53 AM

TMB I hate to correct you, but the document specifically states that "and behold, this shall be wine, yea, pure wine. . . . " 9:55 AM

H Modern revelation from our current prophets have clarified that we are not to have alcoholic substances at all. Have you met with local missionaries? They can get you a little pamphlet that spells it out really clearly. 9:56 AM

TMB My neighbor hasn't mentioned anything about missionaries.

I am now more confused than I was when we started. You send me to a document that says I can drink wine, but your current leader says the document is wrong? 9:58 AM

H Can we send local missionaries to talk with you in person?- Sometimes things get confusing over chat. 9:59 AM

TMB I need some time to think about this. Thanks for you help. Have a good day. Bye 9:59 AM

H You too! Sorry for confusing you--we're not perfect teachers, but we do have testimonies of this gospel. We know the Lord gives answers when we pray to gain knowledge. He will help you understand and have the faith you need. 10:01 AM

Kara has left the chat.

The chat session has ended.

That is pretty amusing. But why were they yelling at you?

Equality wrote:That is pretty amusing. But why were they yelling at you?

I don't think it's yelling as much as pure excitement that someone is actually conversing with them. I imagine it gets pretty boring sitting in a room full of little kids waiting for someone to acknowledge your existence.