Like other religions, Mormons follow dietary laws, including liquor laws. Church leaders encourage their members to live healthy lives by following healthy lifestyles and abstaining from intoxicating and addicting substances.
While the Mormon church encourages its followers to abstain from alcohol based on its Doctrine and Covenants, drinking an alcoholic beverage is a personal choice. The Mormon church also discourages the consumption of hot beverages, such as tea and coffee.
Read on as I discuss everything you need to know about this topic.
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Mormons and Mormonism
Mormonism is a religious movement that began in the United States in the 19th century as part of the Latter-Day Saint movement. It is based on the teachings of Joseph Smith Jr., who established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Mormonism is a set of beliefs and practices based on Smith's teachings, which include faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, belief in the Bible and other scriptures, and adherence to the church's laws and ordinances.
Mormons are members of the LDS Church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The church has more than 16 million members all over the world. About two-thirds of the people who live in Utah are Mormons.
Mormons believe in the Bible, but they also accept other books of scripture, like the Book of Mormon and others. They adhere to a strict moral code and emphasize family values, charity, and service. The Mormons also practice baptism for the dead and other sacred ordinances.
Can Mormons Drink Alcohol?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages Mormons to abstain from alcohol, such as gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, brandy, and other alcoholic beverages.
The Church teaches that alcohol consumption is contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the Word of Wisdom, a guide to health and wellness found in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church.
As stated in their Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-7, “That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.”
However, although the church discourages drinking alcohol, that does not mean that members of the Mormon Church cannot consume it. Individuals can still make their own decisions based on the principles of moral agency and personal accountability.
Those who decide to have an alcoholic drink must do so responsibly without becoming intoxicated. The Church also offers resources to help those who struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction.
Drinks Mormons Can't Have
Aside from alcoholic beverages, the LDS Church encourages its believers to abstain from hot drinks, such as coffee and tea.
This health law is in accordance with Doctrine and Covenants 89:9, which states, “And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”
Can Mormons Drink Wine?
Even though there are no specific rules against drinking wine, the Word of Wisdom says that Mormons should avoid anything that could become a habit or change their minds. This includes alcoholic drinks.
Some Mormons choose to consume unfermented wine as part of religious ceremonies. Unfermented wine is a type of wine that has not gone through the fermentation process and is, therefore, not alcoholic.
This health law is in accordance with the Doctrine and Covenants 89:6, which states, “And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.”
Can Mormons Drink Soda?
Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith that emphasizes healthy lifestyles.
The Church does not have an official stance on soda, but many Mormons choose to limit or avoid soda and other caffeinated beverages in their diets. The rule includes caffeinated soft drinks such as Coke, including Diet Coke.
The Church encourages members to practice moderation and make wise choices regarding their food and drinks. Many Mormons limit their soda consumption as it contains caffeine, as in coffee, a prohibited substance.
Can Mormons Drink Tea?
There is quite a debate on whether Mormons should consume tea. While their Doctrine and Covenants stated to abstain from hot drinks, some believe the statement refers to drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee and most teas.
With this, we can assume that there are types of tea that Mormons can and can't consume.
Tea coming from the Camellia sinensis plant naturally contains caffeine, including black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea, purple tea, and Earl Grey tea.
Teas that do not contain caffeine include herbal teas such as peppermint tea, chamomile tea, hibiscus tea, ginger tea, raspberry tea, mushroom tea, and rooibos tea.
Can Mormons Drink Coffee?
The Mormon Church discourages its followers from drinking coffee because it contains caffeine, a habit-forming stimulant. This includes coffee drinks you can find in coffee shops, such as iced coffee.
However, there are rumors that coffee may be legal in Mormonism, but not many support this movement. Some also use decaffeinated coffee, or "decaf," instead of caffeinated coffee.
Related Questions
Although the Doctrine and Covenants mention not having hot drinks, modern-day Mormons believe drinking hot chocolate is safe as it does not contain caffeine.
No, Mormons should not have tobacco. Their church's health code specifically mentioned not taking tobacco and other addictive substances.
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