The coffee restriction is part of a health code called
"The Word of Wisdom"
(If that title sounds intimidating, it's not...it's basically just 'common sense diet and health guidelines')
But a lot of people really misunderstand what its all about, and many of us (People of the mormon faith) get so caught up in the rules themselves, we forget what the rules are actually for.
So I'm gonna do a little overview and commentary of the Word of Wisdom here:
The Word of Wisdom is found in a document of Mormon Scripture called "Doctrine and Covenants", (Section 89 if you ever wanna look it up). A lot of the language is archaic 1800-ish words because that's who it was originally written for. In fact, it was originally aimed towards the leaders of the church at that time, but has since been received as a guideline by the general church.
The Words of wisdom were to be received:
"not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
(These rules are not meant to be something that holds you back, or keep you from experiencing all that life has to offer, they're meant to help you live the best life you can.)
3 Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
(Many people can drink alcohol socially without becoming addicted to it, but some people can't. These guides are meant to protect both groups of people.)
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom"
(There are people in the world who will use food, drink or drugs to take advantage of you. This problem will get worse in the future.)
The rest of the 21 (short) verses go over some particulars for healthy nutrition, like:
- 'Strong drinks' are bad for you.
- Tobacco is bad for you, but it's good for sick animals.
- 'Hot drinks' (Modernly interpreted as "Coffee and Caffeinated Teas") are not good for you.
- Don't over-indulge in meat, even during times of thanksgiving (ie. holidays)
- Eat plenty of healthy grain
The Word of Wisdom itself refers to these rules as "principles" as opposed to "commandments". and we are promised that when we observe these principles we will receive health, knowledge, energy, and we will be protected from destructive influences.
So coffee isn't some evil "Broth of Satan" substance, and in fact the Word of Wisdom makes it pretty clear that God created it (and a host of other plants and herbs) for medicinal use. The problem is when people use it (or any other substance) in ways that are destructive.
One thing I'd like to stress here is that while many Mormons shun coffee, very few of us actually observe the whole health code of the Word of Wisdom. I think that, to a large degree, the reason why we (Mormons) have made such a big deal about coffee is because it's the one part of the Word of Wisdom that we can honestly say we follow with impunity.
The Word of Wisdom is about a lot more than coffee. Like Sabbath Day Observance, it's meant for our temporal (earthly) salvation, and to protect us from unhealthy (physical and spiritual) influences.
In the Bible, when people caught Jesus breaking the Sabbath he reminded them that, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"
The commandment was a means to an end, not the end itself, and the 'rules' should never be used as an excuse to do what's right. When Jesus "broke" the Sabbath, he was healing people. He expressed that it would be absurd to hold the "Sabbath day observance" rule against someone who was helping a trapped animal getting out of a well (or helping other people who are sick to get better)
The Sabbath is for remembering what's really important in life: giving thanks for what we have, helping others, spending time with our families, and being mindful of our walk with God. The Word of Wisdom is for giving us the strength to achieve the righteous desires that God planted in our hearts: take care of our families, help others, avoid materialism etc.
So, drinking the occasional coffee when you need to stay awake on your 3rd twelve hour shift after you've taken the kids to school and picked up your husband from his doctor's appointment is not going to be detrimental to your spiritual salvation.
1) Because the Word of Wisdom is about so much more than just coffee consumption
and
2) Because the Word of Wisdom is aimed to assist you in your temporal salvation...To help you be all that you can be in this world.
But I know that when I eat right, I'm motivated when I get out of bed in the morning (or evening...as the case may be...), my body craves things that are actually good for it
(Like...Steamed Kale...mmmmm!)
And exercise actually feels good...
I want to be there again. I want my body and my mind to be on the same page, I want to be motivated to get stuff done...and not just "OK, When can I go get Del Taco?"
But I'm so not there yet!
And I can't honestly say that I'm observing the word of wisdom when I'm really just living out of habit by not drinking coffee. So no, the reason I don't drink coffee isn't because I'm keeping the Word of Wisdom, I rather think it's because I'm too lazy to keep it.
(Sorry for the long confessional...hope this made sense!)
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