Coffee consumption has been and continues to be a pleasant morning routine for many individuals around the world. However, this is not true for every individual or organization. Some individuals refrain from drinking coffee owing to religious restrictions. Can Mormons drink iced coffee?
No, Mormons are quite strict about coffee abstinence. In accordance with the Word of Wisdom principles on “Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana,” any drink that has the potential to cause addiction is prohibited.
While most individuals can comprehend why religious teachings prohibit alcohol, it is difficult to comprehend why coffee is forbidden in Mormon households. In this article, we take a closer look at why Mormons can’t drink coffee.
What Does It Mean to Belong to the Mormon Faith?
Being a Mormon means belonging to a religious community that accepts the beliefs and practices of a mixture of the guiding principles of Christianity and the revelations of Joseph Smith.
In 1833, a part of the LDS sacred text, Doctrine and Covenants, presented the “Word of Wisdom.” The Mormon Lord’s Law of Health is referenced in the Word of Wisdom as a way to improve one’s spiritual and physical health.
Why Do Mormons Avoid Coffee?
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.
Besides that, the Word of Wisdom mentions a “promise” in which individuals who adhere to these constraints will be rewarded with excellent health, wisdom, and extensive knowledge.
Mormons have been interrogated by colleagues and strangers about their public abstinence from coffee. Though the answers were formerly restricted to the teachings of the faith, the internet has made them public. The Mormon stance against hot beverages impacts tea as well as coffee. The LDS church’s theology provides two explanations.
Is Iced Coffee Good for Mormons?
Coffee and other espresso beverages are not considered good for Mormons: The church claims that cold brew, lattes, Frappuccino, and other Starbucks concoctions are all against the faith.
What Happens If You Drink Coffee As A Mormon?
If a Marmon lies about drinking coffee, they are permitted to attend the Mormon temple and engage in “mystery cult” activities with other congregants. However, if they admit to drinking coffee, their temple recommendation is excommunicated, and they will be disqualified from “mystery cult” activities until they cease drinking coffee or lie about it.
What Do Mormons Drink Instead?
Given all the focus on the foods they cannot eat, you may be curious about the drinks that adherents of the Mormon faith can partake in. Except for alcohol, tea, and coffee, Mormons are permitted to consume practically any other drink.
Mormons also consume caffeine-free herbal tinctures and teas (tisane). Additionally, drinks produced from roasted barley and other grains are recommended since they are described as “moderate.”
Other Mormon Religious Restrictions
Besides abstaining from coffee and caffeinated beverages, Mormons are also forbidden from gambling and other less than honest dealings with money. Although medical marijuana use is permitted, recreational cannabis use is illegal.
Similarly, the Mormon Church prohibits the abuse of legal or prescription medications. In addition to tobacco, electronic cigarettes and vaping are also prohibited to Mormons, these are considered transgressions.
Mormons are advised to limit their meat consumption in favour of grains and veggies. Additionally, crude language and swearing are discouraged, and supernatural rituals are strictly prohibited for all Mormons.
Do All Mormons Avoid Coffee?
The relationship between Mormonism and coffee is usually determined by the community’s youth culture, despite the church’s leadership’s adamant opposition to hot or cold coffee and recommendation to avoid coffee shops altogether.
A survey by “The Next” Mormon found that about 40% of Millennials and Gen Xers had coffee in the six months before the survey. This is by far the most enlightening piece of evidence, as it demonstrates that words of wisdom are not as influential in motivating church youth to abstain from coffee.
38 per cent of all respondents reported having consumed at least one of the following in the six months prior to the poll: alcohol, coffee, tea, cigarettes, or other related substances.
Despite the fact that this percentage is not even close to a majority, the Mormon youth’s willingness to experiment may in the future lead the church to become more tolerant of substances with addictive properties. Alcohol, tea, cigarettes, and coffee are included in the list.
52% of Gen Xers do not believe that words of wisdom must be followed. According to a survey conducted by the Next Mormons, more than half of gen-Xers believe that following words of wisdom are optional.
Why May Mormons Drink Coffee But Not Soda?
According to Mathew Bowman (, it dates back to Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received a revelation from God preventing Mormons from consuming hot liquids, alcohol, cigarettes, or an excessive amount of meat. Over time, the term “hot drinks” has evolved to refer to tea and coffee.
The church issued an official declaration in 2012 clarifying unequivocally that caffeinated drink is permitted under church teaching. Nonetheless, many Mormons refuse to drink caffeinated beverages.
The distinctions between what is explicit doctrine and what many Mormons think are blurrier than many people would prefer. While many Mormons forgo Coke, this is not the case for everyone. Furthermore, abstaining from caffeinated beverages is not church dogma.
It’s natural to be confused about whether Mormons may drink Coca-Cola, but Mormons can drink Coke or soda – now you know. The newer generation is more open to exploring ideas within Mormonism.
Conclusion
Mormons, like many other religions, are sometimes viewed as peculiar due to the scarcity of information about them. Due to their religious commitment, Mormons are unable to consume coffee.
They adhere to the Word of Wisdom, which instructs them to avoid things such as coffee in order to improve their spiritual and bodily development and maintenance. Nevertheless, as the times change, so do its people, and coffee is now gradually permeating the lives of devoted Mormons.
