This flies in the fact of Colossians 2:1-23, which says. Such habit-forming substances should be avoided except under the care of a competent physician, and then used only as prescribed. And what are the dangers of living an unintentional one instead? It’s a choice that we make … about what we want to do and who we want to be.”. Modern prophets and apostles have frequently taught that the Word of Wisdom warns us against substances that can harm us or enslave us to addiction. Most vaping pods do contain nicotine, whether or not the users even know that. I like how the NIV translates verse 23: “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom . Here are some facts about the Word of Wisdom: In Doctrine and Covenants 89:8–9, the Lord forbids our using tobacco and “hot drinks,” which, Church leaders have explained, means tea and coffee. Monday, December 09, 2019 Word of Wisdom Update: Be Cautious with Green Tea Extract The Doubling Down of the LDS Church: The Word of Wisdom Ain’t Going Away, At Least for Now By Eric Johnson (Revised 8/27/2019) Prior to the April 2019 General Conference, there were some who were predicting a possible change in Mormonism to allow coffee and tea, both of which are banned in the Word of Wisdom. If there are too many complaints about female missionaries having to wear dresses, then they seem to be fine allowing them to wear slacks. Education Week attendees listen and take notes during devotional at BYU Education Week in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. This, he said, was the main reason why hot drinks were banned by God. Who really knows what the leadership’s new edict or change will be in the future? Latter-day Saints, with the Word of Wisdom as a foundation and mindful of both the scriptures and the counsel of a living prophet, are encouraged to personalize their health regimen and-just like anyone else who chooses to live a healthy lifestyle-quickly realize that there are many paths and options. . 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Brigham Young (second president of the Church) related some of the circumstances leading up to the reception of the revelation: “The brethren came to that place for hundreds of miles to attend school in a little room probably no larger than eleven by fourteen. 44. In the Word of Wisdom, there is a list of things that Latter-day Saints are told not to consume. After describing how “wine,” “strong drink,” and “tobacco” were. (For a three-part Viewpoint on Mormonism week-long series on that topic titled “Reversing a Revelation” airing April 15-17, 2019, click the following links: Part 1   Part 2  Part 3). If it’s healthy today, wasn’t it healthy at the time that Smith supposedly received his “revelation”? All rights reserved. So, before you try what you think is just some new milkshake flavor, here are a couple of rules of thumb: (1) If you’re in a coffee shop (or any other shop that’s well-known for its coffee), the drink you’re ordering probably has coffee in it, so either never buy drinks at coffee shops or always ask if there’s coffee in it. In a recent article in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, John Ferguson, Jana Riess, and I share results from the 2016 Next Mormons Survey regarding observance of the Word of Wisdom among self-identified American Mormons. In fact, for the original April 2019 edition of the article you are reading, I had written the following: It seems to be that if the members don’t like three-hour Sunday services, then the attitude offered by the leadership is apparently accommodation. Online. It was not until the 1920’s that the church leaders required its people to abide by the Word of Wisdom to qualify for entrance into LDS temples. Prior to the April 2019 General Conference, there were some who were predicting a possible change in Mormonism to allow coffee and tea, both of which are banned in the Word of Wisdom. One of the last things it mentions is the importance of using “prudence and thanksgiving” in all things related to health. What will Starr’s response be now if the church ever allowed for this change? This includes the Word of Wisdom, but also includes gospel teachings like the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal perspective that all people are children of God. 13.1k. The article said. Vaping is clearly against the Word of Wisdom. Do not touch!”? “The idea is that we are progressing. LDS Liberty Forum. In one way, I give the leaders credit for standing firm on what has been traditionally taught. I’ve tried to find it in this thread and can’t find anything. Certainly the partaking of cola drinks, though not included within the measuring standard here set out, is in violation of the spirit of the Word of Wisdom (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 845). Second, there is the culture that comes from being part of a church and a faith community. See what the Tallahassee Florida Temple will look like Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the rendering and location of the Tallahassee Florida Temple. Do not taste! Once a person understands how the Atonement applies to them in all things, they won’t get stuck in a rut of thinking they can never change or that being healthy is too hard. I have yet to meet a Mormon that follows this and I’ve never met a single Mormon leader that cared. ... 2019 … This also begs the question: Since the article was written to young people and caffeine seems to be the big taboo, then why are energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, and Rock Star not discussed? . Your generous support makes the work of MRM possible. The “Word of Wisdom” is a law of health revealed by the Lord for our physical and spiritual benefit. In another way, I think the overall rule is silly. Notice the phrase  “by revelation.” It’s a word that means different things to leaders today, but this was supposed to be God revealing His mind to Joseph Smith (and, ultimately, the Latter-day Saints). “The nice thing is that we have the agency to choose what we do with those influencers,” he said. Many things, in moderation, can be justified, including a moderate intake of alcohol or coffee. When it comes to the Word of Wisdom, people often focus on what they aren’t supposed to do, because it is easier to remember the things that say “don’t” in front of them. “And if we believe that we will have perfected resurrected bodies, then that might shape how we’re going to view health, just a little bit different.”. Four in ten Millennial and GenX Latter-day Saints in the United States said they had consumed caffeinated coffee at some point in the last six months. We are learning, and we are growing. Doubling down = A Surprise for Us Looking In On From the Outside. Doctrine and Covenants / Pearl of Great Price, Mormon Objections to Christian Evangelism, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, Is there anything wrong with drinking sodas with caffeine in them? The church again restated that no tea, green or black, conforms to the rules. In short terms, it is a health code for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which we must abide by in order to go to the sacred temple and to have a healthy living. Could it be that the speculation of the possibility that coffee and tea was soon to be made kosher (so to speak) in Mormonism cause the leadership some angst. 311 posts Page 7 of 11. Keeping the perspective that one’s body is eternal can be a positive influence on how one views their health, he said. The Word of Wisdom specifically says “hot drinks,” so shouldn’t cold drinks be fine? Was he telling the truth? It includes instruction about what foods are good for us and those substances to avoid. Aug 13, 2019 23 The August 2019 issue of New Era magazine for LDS youth lists vaping, e-cigarettes, lattes, capuccinos and recreational marijuana as against the Word of Wisdom. 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