Over 80% of adults in North America regularly consume coffee. That sounds like most people, but there are also significant groups of people who choose not to drink coffee. You might think these are the people with caffeine allergy or sensitivity.
But a large number of people do not drink coffee because of religious restrictions. Mormons, also known as the followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abstain from drinking things like tea or coffee.
While many would dismiss this as some sort of arbitrary religious dietary restriction, it isn’t that simple. In this article, we are going to look at the reasons why Mormons don’t drink coffee.
Do Mormons Drink Coffee?
The short answer is no, Mormons are pretty strict about abstaining from coffee. This brings us to the question, why? Can Mormons have caffeine? Are green teas off-limits too?
While most people can understand why religious texts forbid alcohol, people find it hard to understand why coffee isn’t allowed in Mormon households.
To answer these questions we need to go all the way back to 1833, when the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith received insight from God about a number of issues on health, diet, and the way to live correctly.
These insights were later recorded as the Word of Wisdom. In it, tobacco and alcohol were ordained as forbidden. The Word of Wisdom also states that “hot drinks” are forbidden. At the time of the revelation, the most common hot beverages were tea and coffee.
Because of this coffee, teas, alcohol, and tobacco were all seen as harmful for health and not conducive to a good and pure way of living. Since then, Mormons have shunned tea and coffee, and other hot beverages that fall under these categories.
Is Caffeine the Culprit Here?
The idea of forbidding tea and coffee has led many people to think that the LDS requires followers to abstain from caffeine. After all, caffeine is a stimulant; which many stricter orthodoxies consider just as bad as intoxicants.
Caffeinated drinks also become ‘habit-forming’ for many people who need their daily cups of tea or coffee to function. This is also thought to be one of the reasons why Mormons are expected to abstain from tea or coffee.
In that vein, about green tea, Word of Wisdom scholars agree that it is off-limits as well. Anything that is made from traditional tea and served hot is generally out of bounds.
However, Mormons also consume sodas and eat chocolate and other foods that contain small amounts of caffeine. The Church has even clarified their stance, stating that there are no rules against consuming coffee itself.
The idea, then, seems to be the amount of caffeine as well. While they do stay away from highly caffeinated energy drinks, there doesn’t seem to be an issue with hot chocolate.
The concept of personal interpretation is also important here. Although modern Church leadership has also forbidden iced coffees and teas, as well as vaping and recreational marijuana, there are lots of gray areas without any rulings.
For instance, are Mormons allowed to consume coffee-flavored foods without the actual caffeine? Is decaf coffee allowed? Sodas contain a good amount of caffeine too, so why haven’t they been outright forbidden?
The Word of Wisdom serves as a guide for the followers of this Church. So while many things are clearly prohibited, others are not. It is up to individual Churches, families, or even people to decide the rest.
Some Mormons drink sodas because they believe they are allowed to, while others do not. Lots of Mormons abstain from all kinds of coffee-related things, including decaf flavored desserts. Others even shun drinks containing trace amounts of green tea extract.
Why Tea and Coffee are Avoided
At the end of the day, Mormons are in consensus about abstaining from tea and coffee drinks. For many people, it is about following religious laws. For others, there is the added benefit of clean and healthy living, which the Mormon faith stresses upon.
Similarly, the Word of Wisdom also speaks of a ‘promise’, whereby those who follow these restrictions will be rewarded with good health, wisdom, and vast knowledge. For many Mormons, giving up these things is worth the reward they receive.
Equally important is the idea of their religious identity– it sets the Mormons apart from other people of other faiths and reinforces their identity as a follower of the Mormon Church and a member of their community.
So What Do Mormons Drink Instead?
With all this talk about Mormon food restrictions, you might be wondering what they are allowed to drink. Well, except for alcohol, tea, and coffee, Mormons are allowed to drink almost anything else out there.
A popular Mormon coffee substitute in the past was a caffeine-free roasted-grain beverage known as Postum. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, this drink was seen as a healthier alternative to coffee. It was discontinued in 2007, but can still be found in grocery stores, produced by a different company since 2013.
Mormons also drink herbal tinctures or teas (tisane) that don’t contain caffeine. They also drink juices, shakes, smoothies, and milk. While there is debate over whether sodas and carbonated beverages are allowed, many consume these in moderation.
Other unique drinks that Mormons drink instead of coffee include pero (ground roasted barley), dandelion coffee, and chicory root. Five flavor berry tea is also an extremely popular stand-in for regular tea. Pero, while less popular, tastes almost exactly like coffee when sweetened with sugar and with dairy.
Warm malted beverages are also very common among Mormon households. Drinks like Ovaltine, Horlicks, and Milo are known to be healthy and contain no caffeine, making them a great substitute for tea and coffee.
Moreover, drinks made from roasted barley and other grains are even recommended as they are said to be ‘mild’. The Word of Wisdom even prescribes grains and their by-products as they are said to be good for the body and spirit.
Overview of the religious beliefs and practices of Mormons
Mormonism is characterized by its unique beliefs and practices, including a strong emphasis on family, missionary work, and personal revelation. Here are some key aspects of Mormonism:
- God: Mormons believe in a God who is the father of all humanity and who created the universe. They also believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God and the savior of humanity.
- Scriptures: In addition to the Bible, Mormons also consider the Book of Mormon to be scripture. They also believe in other books of scripture such as the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.
- Prophets: Mormons believe in modern-day prophets who receive revelation from God and lead the church. The current prophet is Russell M. Nelson.
- Temples: Mormons have special temples where they perform sacred ordinances such as baptism for the dead and sealing families together for eternity.
- Family: Mormons place a strong emphasis on family and believe that families can be together forever through the sealing ordinances performed in the temple.
- Missionary work: Mormons believe in sharing their beliefs with others and have a strong tradition of missionary work. Young men and women are encouraged to serve full-time missions.
- Word of Wisdom: Mormons follow a health code called the Word of Wisdom, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea.
- Tithing: Mormons are encouraged to pay 10% of their income to the church as tithing to support its programs and operations.
- Service: Mormons believe in serving others and have a strong tradition of volunteerism and humanitarian aid.
Overall, Mormonism is a religion that places a strong emphasis on family, personal revelation, and service to others. Its unique beliefs and practices have made it one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, with over 16 million members worldwide.
Other Mormon Religious Restrictions
We’ve already answered the question: ‘Do Mormons drink alcohol?’ The answer goes back to what we’ve said, as Mormons do not partake in coffee, tea, all kinds of intoxicants, as well as drugs. Heavily caffeinated energy drinks are also forbidden in certain Mormon churches, and drinks like Coke are discouraged too.
But many people still wonder what else are Mormons not allowed to do, besides not consuming coffee and caffeinated beverages. They are also prohibited from gambling and other less than honest dealings with money.
Mormons are encouraged to consume meat sparingly, focusing on grains and vegetables. Crude language and profanity are also discouraged, and occult practices are absolutely forbidden.
Although medical marijuana is allowed, using cannabis for recreation is also prohibited. On a similar note, the Mormon Church also forbids abusing legal or prescribed drugs. Besides tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping are also not allowed.
Health risks associated with coffee consumption
The Mormon practice of abstaining from coffee is based in part on the belief that it is not good for one’s health or spiritual well-being. While there are some health benefits associated with moderate coffee consumption, there are also potential health risks that Mormons seek to avoid by abstaining from it.
One of the main health risks associated with coffee consumption is its high caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and may contribute to anxiety and insomnia in some individuals. Additionally, excessive caffeine consumption has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Another potential health risk of coffee consumption is its acidity. Coffee is a highly acidic beverage, which can contribute to acid reflux and digestive issues in some individuals. It can also contribute to dental erosion and staining of the teeth.
On the other hand, there are potential health benefits associated with abstaining from coffee. For example, avoiding coffee can help to promote better sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve digestion. Additionally, the Mormon practice of abstaining from coffee is part of a larger health code called the Word of Wisdom, which also includes guidelines for healthy eating and exercise.
While some studies have suggested that moderate coffee consumption may have health benefits, it is important to consider the individual and their overall health when making decisions about coffee consumption. For Mormons, the decision to abstain from coffee is based on a combination of health, spiritual, and cultural factors.
Counterarguments or alternative perspectives
When discussing any topic, it is important to acknowledge counterarguments or alternative perspectives in order to provide a well-rounded and fair analysis. This is especially true when discussing controversial topics, such as the beliefs and practices of the Mormon Church.
One common counterargument to the Mormon practice of abstaining from coffee is that it seems arbitrary and unnecessary. Some people argue that coffee is a harmless and even beneficial beverage, and that there is no logical reason for Mormons to abstain from it.
While it is true that coffee has been shown to have some health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases, the Word of Wisdom is not solely focused on health. It also has spiritual and cultural significance for Mormons, who believe that following its guidelines will lead to greater spiritual and physical blessings.
Another counterargument is that the Word of Wisdom has been interpreted differently over time and that the prohibition on coffee may not be as strict as some Mormons believe. It is true that there has been some debate and discussion within the Mormon Church about the exact interpretation of the Word of Wisdom, and that some Mormons may interpret it more liberally than others. However, the majority of Mormons do follow the strict interpretation of the Word of Wisdom, which prohibits the consumption of hot drinks, including coffee and tea.
Finally, some people argue that the Mormon practice of abstaining from coffee is simply a cultural tradition, rather than a religious belief. While it is true that cultural factors can play a role in the practice of religion, for Mormons, the Word of Wisdom is a deeply held religious belief that is based on scripture and divine revelation.
Overall, while there may be alternative perspectives and counterarguments to the Mormon practice of abstaining from coffee, it is important to acknowledge and respect the beliefs and practices of others, even if we may not fully understand or agree with them.
Concluding Thoughts
Mormons, like many other religions, are often seen as unusual because so little is known about them. There is a lot of speculation about these groups, which leads to many people wondering, “Are Mormons crazy?” But the truth is that they are just like any other religious group, with their own dietary restrictions, just like the idea of halal or kosher foods.
So the next time you are asked why don’t Mormons drink coffee, you’ll know why. It’s always quite fun explaining to novices that it really isn’t about caffeine being a stimulant at all.