Coffee Coasters
Why don’t Mormons drink coffee?
“And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”
- Doctrine & Covenants 89:9
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng
From this passage members of the Latter Day Saints Church (Mormons) are encouraged to abstain from coffee, tea, and all caffeinated drinks. This whole section has come to be known as the Word of Wisdom. It is described as a revelation given to Joseph Smith, first prophet of the LDS Church, in 1833. It also discourages the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. To those that follow the Word of Wisdom will receive great physical and spiritual reward. (http://mormon.org/faq/law-of-health/ )
There is no doubt there are health benefits in abstaining from from much of these. Though there are some health benefits in moderation in coffee, tea, and wine. I also know that there can be great spiritual benefits anytime one fasts.
So why raise the issue?
I love coffee.
I roast my coffee beans; recently restored a thirty year old Gaggia espresso machine; and take a hand coffee grinder on road trips.
No that’s not actually why I raise the issue, though it obviously has my attention!
It is easy to judge Mormons for their strict adherence to such dietary laws, as it is probably easy for a Mormon to judge Christians for their liberty. This seemingly minor issue points to the fundamental differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. The exaltation of the “prophet,” Joseph Smith and the propensity of Mormonism to add layers of works to gain righteousness.
Paul in Galatians 5:1 is strongly discouraging the Galatians from allowing the law to take the place of Christ in their lives:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
For all my striving, my righteousness is as “filthy rags,” (Isaiah 64:6, NLT).
The Apostle Paul while addressing Christian liberty and giving instruction regarding food and drink says this:
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17, ESV). Since freedom does not consist in these things, it cannot be lost by our avoidance of them.
I’d rather take the righteousness, peace, and joy of Jesus, then to be under the weight of another law.
