Why Can’t Mormons Drink Coffee​? … Prohibited?

Have you ever questioned why Mormons can’t drink coffee? But wait! Before that, we will know, who are Mormons. Mormons are members of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”. They follow a strict code of health and dietary guidelines.

So, what do these guidelines have to do anything with coffee? I mean, why can’t Mormons have caffeine? After all, coffee is not unhealthy at all! You will be surprised to know that, among these guidelines, there is a prohibition against drinking coffee. You may wonder why Mormons cannot drink this harmless beverage, but this is not as simple as you think.

The Mormon church has banned coffee since the 1830s. Surprised? In fact, it’s a rule that’s closely tied to the church’s teachings and history

In this article, we’ll try to clear up any misunderstandings about why some people of this faith don’t drink coffee. So, you’ll get a good idea of why that is. Are you ready?

Religious beliefs

Mormons follow a set of guidelines which is called the ‘Word of Wisdom’. These are actually principles for healthy living. To put it another way, they consider it as a law. According to this principle, you cannot intake substances that are harmful to your body. Sounds good right? These include alcohol, tobacco, as well as hot drinks. Wait! Have I just said ‘hot drinks’? why can’t Mormons have hot drinks? I know you are surprised too! By the term “hot drinks”, they mean coffee and tea.

By the way, I have also hundreds of principles for a healthy life! But guess what? I cannot follow them all the time! I know it is sad. But evidently, they are not me. Mormons stick to this rule to maintain physical and spiritual well-being.

You can say that the main reason is their religious teachings and principles. That is the main reason for the restriction. According to their faith, Mormons believe that their bodies are sacred and they should treat their bodies with respect. As such, they try hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So obviously they avoid substances that are harmful and addictive.

From their point of view not only coffee but also other caffeinated beverages are also unhealthy. Because sometimes these drinks can be harmful to your body. It may also negatively affect your spiritual well-being. You can easily guess how much they are serious about their lifestyle. I wish I could do that too! I am jealous to see their commitment to living a life of discipline and self-control. Moreover, they are highly obedient to God’s commandments. In other words, you can say that Mormons choose not to drink coffee to follow their religious beliefs and feel closer to God.

School of the Prophets

So, if you know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you probably already know that members of the church don’t smoke or do other recreational drugs, and they don’t drink alcohol, coffee, or tea.

It’s all part of a revelation they call the Word of Wisdom.

Now let’s dive a bit deeper. What is the “Word of Wisdom”? Let me tell you a story. Are you ready?

Oftentimes, revelation comes about as the result of a question.

In 1833, Joseph Smith started a small school in Kirtland, Ohio. It was called the “School of the Prophets.” It was a small room on the second floor of a mercantile store, packed with around 25 guys.

These dudes were big on smoking pipes and chewing tobacco, which made the room pretty nasty. Joseph’s wife Emma was really disgusted with the tobacco-soaked floor. Fair enough! Because she was the one who often cleaned the floor.

Word of Wisdom

Afterward, Joseph directly asked God how to remedy the situation, and the resulting revelation was recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 89 (d&c 89).

And guess what? This revelation is called the Word of Wisdom. It’s only 21 verses long. You can call it a law of health for Mormons. It talks about the stuff Mormons should be eating as well as the stuff they should not. So, they can have a healthy body and belly.

But really, why are coffee and tea on that list? What’s wrong with them? How did they make the list but the bacon double cheeseburger with mayo didn’t? Okay, first of all, just because it’s not listed in the Word of Wisdom doesn’t mean you should eat it.

But why coffee and tea? why can’t Mormons have caffeine? Well, there’s a lot of speculation about that. Latter-day Saints first are very cautious of addictive substances so some people assert that we must not be able to drink coffee and tea because the caffeine in them is a stimulant and can be addictive. That’s a good theory and may have something to do with it, though it’s led to a misconception that Latter-day Saints can’t drink soda that has caffeine in it which isn’t the case.

The revelation was basically given in direct response to the existing and forthcoming evils and schemes. Did I just say Schemes? Just think about the mind game of big tobacco and other companies. They are working hard to get people addicted to their products. Once you are addicted you have no choice but to have it. So, similar situations can occur with tea and coffee now or in the future. Whether something like this will happen or is happening with tea and coffee right now remains uncertain.

Coffee is Addictive

We all know that coffee can be addictive. Because it has caffeine right? And we all know caffeine can affect your central nervous system. Worried? In simple words, caffeine is a natural substance that wakes up your brain and body. But, don’t worry! If you consume it in moderate amounts, caffeine can temporarily boost your energy and alertness. Wait! Don’t be happy either.

Because frequent and excessive caffeine consumption can make you dependent. Moreover, you may face withdrawal symptoms if you stop consuming caffeine. Such as headaches and irritability. Some can also find it difficult to concentrate when they try to quit drinking coffee.

Another key point is it can vary from person to person. As it is evident that, some individuals may be more dependent on caffeine than others. As we know so far Mormons traditionally avoid coffee consumption for religious reasons. But, coffee’s addictive properties are also a vital reason behind their coffee restriction.

Mormons Believe in Healthful Living

Living healthily is a big deal for Mormons. You can’t even imagine how much it is! They take good care of their bodies because they believe they are gifts from God. Their commitment to health shows in their diet too. They go for balanced, nutritious meals, focusing on whole foods and staying away from harmful stuff. (I wish I could do that!)

Isn’t it interesting why Mormons avoid caffeine and other hot drinks? This is more than just a restriction. It’s about maintaining physical and spiritual health. Mormons believe that substances like coffee can have negative effects on both their physical and spiritual well-being.

Mormons promote overall well-being by maintaining a clear mind and body for spiritual purposes. By living a healthy lifestyle, they try to match their actions with their religious beliefs, which helps them feel closer to God.

But what if I say, there’s debate about why specifically they avoid coffee? Surprisingly, it’s up to each Mormon to decide. Are you getting my point? It depends on what each person chooses. Even without coffee, Mormons can still be part of society and enjoy a fulfilling life. Not drinking coffee shows their commitment to their faith and its values.

Historical or Cultural Reasons

As far as we have discussed their religious teachings. But this restriction is also deeply tied to their history and culture. For example, they believe in a health code called the “Word of Wisdom”. That is their religious perspective. However, you cannot ignore the historical and cultural context also. During the 19th century the “Word of Wisdom” was introduced. At that point, drinking coffee was like consuming too many stimulants. You will be surprised to know that people used to see coffee as a sign of society and moral standards going downhill. As a result, religious teachings establish the foundation for the prohibition. But historical and cultural elements influence how it’s followed in the Mormon community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do Mormons view the consumption of other caffeinated beverages like tea or energy drinks?

We have discussed that Mormons interpret ‘hot drinks’ as coffee and tea. However, there is no direct restriction on other caffeinated beverages for example energy drinks. Some Mormons may avoid these drinks due to their personal beliefs. Others may consume them in moderation. By the way, if you want to know the differences between coffee and energy drinks, please have a look at our ‘Coffee vs Red Bull’ article. Anyway, now you can say that there is no rule. Anyone can drink anything except coffee and tea! But that’s not true either. You have to remember the basic fundamentals of Mormons. It is all about their concerns about the health effects. Even more! Every Mormon has their own personal interpretation of their faith’s teachings. With this in mind, individual Mormons make their own decisions about other caffeinated beverages. I think you have got my point!

Are all Mormons strict about not drinking coffee, or do some in the community drink it anyway?

Within the Mormon community, there are variations. The point is, that you cannot say who will follow or who will not. While some Mormons strictly follow this prohibition, others may interpret it differently. Actually, following this principle often depends on individual beliefs and personal ideas. There are also cultural influences within the community as well. Some Mormons may keep them away from coffee completely, while others may choose to consume decaffeinated coffee. Some may make exceptions for certain occasions or circumstances. Overall, following or not following the restriction on coffee drinking can differ among Mormons. It surely reflects the diversity within the community. I think now you have understood or at least have an idea about why Mormons can’t drink coffee.