I am a recent convert. I have always followed Gods law, the ten, and Jesus’s two, to love your God with all your heart and treat your neighbors as you would like to be treated, but I have difficulty with the dietary regulations: no black tea/coffee, but caffiene ladened drinks are allowed in other manners. Wine was the beverage at the last supper. Jesus created more wine at the wedding at cana. Just pondering and praying.
5 Responses to “I am a recent convert. I have always followed Gods law, the …”
Leonardo Castro
2008-07-28 01:04:03
God in His wisdom has revealed to us in modern times how to avoid many of the health concerns that are now so common. When the "Word of Wisdom" was first revealed in 1833, science had not yet discovered the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances. Even today, when the dangers of these substances are widely known, Mormon still live five to seven years longer than the American average. I suspect that the most practicing Mormons live even longer. The "Word of Wisdom" (i.e. "dietary regulations") has truly been a blessing to the Mormon people.
Beyond the physical blessings of obeying the "Word of Wisdom," there are many spiritual blessings born of these dietary regulations as well. With our bodies free of addictions, our minds are free to soar to new spiritual heights. Also, by choosing to obey God's commandments despite social pressures or our own incomplete understanding, we put God in first place in our lives and show that we trust Him. Obedience to God in and of itself has tremendous intrinsic value.
Regarding caffeinated soda drinks, some Church leaders have in fact advised against them. Abstinence from caffeinated pop is not a commandment but probably is sound advice. My family has chosen not to drink caffeinated soda for this very reason. Many Mormons have made the same decision.
It is true that in the past God's dietary laws have been different. When living prophets and apostles are on the earth, God can give His children commandments that are specific to their times. In the time of Christ, for example, the Israelites did not eat pork and did drink wine. God was wise in giving His people these dietary restrictions; pork probably contained parasites like Taenia solium, and, given the scarcity of clean drinking water, a weakly fermented wine was probably a healthy choice. In our times, pork is generally healthy. Clean drinking water is widely available, alcoholic beverages are much stronger than in biblical times, and multinational corporations make millions of dollars off the misery and addictions associated with alcohol consumption. It makes sense, then, that in our days God would allow pork and discourage alcohol consumption. Who knows what dietary recommendations God will make in the future? By communicating with His prophets and apostles, God can give us the commandments we need to maximize our happiness in modern times and circumstances.
Hope this helps! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. As a new member, you probably have plenty of them. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
Vivian
2008-08-25 06:20:23
Hi. The point is not the caffeine... It's the cofee and tea.
There are many of the laws that we don't necessarily understand and our Father does not necessarily have to explain us the reason for everything. Our life is a time for learning, our faith will be proved. When we know something we don't need faith, because we know.
If God our father had to explain everything he does or any law to us... we would know, without having faith.
(Sorry for any mistake, English isn't my native language... )
Webmaster: If Vivian's English isn't very good, then mine isn't either! :) Excellent answer, Vivian.
Anonymous
2008-09-08 05:50:50
I am studying the LDS, because, so far, I am a future member. But I am confused about why Mormons allowed to drink no tea except for green tea. And we can't drink green tea if its in the form of iced tea. Why?
Leonardo Castro
2008-09-08 05:52:28
Hey Anonymous,
I'm happy to hear you're enjoying your experience with the LDS Church thus far! Mormon Christianity has been a tremendous benefit in my own life. It has strengthened my family and helped me grow closer to Jesus Christ. I always get excited when I hear people are investigating the Church. Good luck!
The idea behind the "Word of Wisdom," the Mormon health code, is that our bodies should be free of addictions. Addictions can interfere with our ability to feel God's influence in our lives. Of course, Mormons are not the only religion that teaches the importance of abstaining from certain things in order to grow closer to God. Many religions teach as much, although the specific things to be avoided often vary from religion to religion.
Actually, according to modern interpretations of the Word of Wisdom, no form of Green Tea is good for consumption. Green Tea contains large amounts of caffeine, an addictive drug. Mormons do drink herbal teas. Could it be that you confused Green Tea and Herbal Tea?
If you have any other questions, feel free to send them my way. I know that when investigating new religions, many questions often arise. I'd be happy to help you with any doubts you might have.
Mark
2009-04-20 00:59:46
It is not necessarily the caffeine in coffee and tea that are the problem. [The specifics have not been revealed to us.] Of course, caffeine, like anything else, should be used in moderation. Black tea is straight out bad for people, due to its chemical makeup, including Tanic acid. Because of this, these are harmful to the body's organs.
Green tea, on the other hand, does not contain such, and is an herbal tea. So, this part is up to individual interpretation until the prophet says one way or the other about herbal teas. As for myself, I don't drink either, but that's mostly because any hot liquid does not agree with my stomach. I can't even drink liquids from soups, because of this, and it certainly doesn't taste good cold.
Webmaster: I had always been taught that the Word of Wisdom prohibits green tea, however a site-wide search of lds.org for the term "green tea" revealed only one hit that does not explicitly counsel against green tea. Even Coca Cola, which is not explicitly prohibited by the Word of Wisdom, is mentioned more than one time. The term "black tea," however, also appears only once on lds.org, and it is clearly not in harmony with the Word of Wisdom. "Tea" in general is mentioned many times as being bad for the body, but "herbal tea" is okay. I should say that a general search of the internet supports the theory that "green tea" violates the Word of Wisdom, though that could point to only one common interpretation. Not sure what to think! Very interesting discussion!
Beyond the physical blessings of obeying the "Word of Wisdom," there are many spiritual blessings born of these dietary regulations as well. With our bodies free of addictions, our minds are free to soar to new spiritual heights. Also, by choosing to obey God's commandments despite social pressures or our own incomplete understanding, we put God in first place in our lives and show that we trust Him. Obedience to God in and of itself has tremendous intrinsic value.
Regarding caffeinated soda drinks, some Church leaders have in fact advised against them. Abstinence from caffeinated pop is not a commandment but probably is sound advice. My family has chosen not to drink caffeinated soda for this very reason. Many Mormons have made the same decision.
It is true that in the past God's dietary laws have been different. When living prophets and apostles are on the earth, God can give His children commandments that are specific to their times. In the time of Christ, for example, the Israelites did not eat pork and did drink wine. God was wise in giving His people these dietary restrictions; pork probably contained parasites like Taenia solium, and, given the scarcity of clean drinking water, a weakly fermented wine was probably a healthy choice. In our times, pork is generally healthy. Clean drinking water is widely available, alcoholic beverages are much stronger than in biblical times, and multinational corporations make millions of dollars off the misery and addictions associated with alcohol consumption. It makes sense, then, that in our days God would allow pork and discourage alcohol consumption. Who knows what dietary recommendations God will make in the future? By communicating with His prophets and apostles, God can give us the commandments we need to maximize our happiness in modern times and circumstances.
Hope this helps! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. As a new member, you probably have plenty of them. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
There are many of the laws that we don't necessarily understand and our Father does not necessarily have to explain us the reason for everything. Our life is a time for learning, our faith will be proved. When we know something we don't need faith, because we know.
If God our father had to explain everything he does or any law to us... we would know, without having faith.
(Sorry for any mistake, English isn't my native language... )
Webmaster: If Vivian's English isn't very good, then mine isn't either! :) Excellent answer, Vivian.
I'm happy to hear you're enjoying your experience with the LDS Church thus far! Mormon Christianity has been a tremendous benefit in my own life. It has strengthened my family and helped me grow closer to Jesus Christ. I always get excited when I hear people are investigating the Church. Good luck!
The idea behind the "Word of Wisdom," the Mormon health code, is that our bodies should be free of addictions. Addictions can interfere with our ability to feel God's influence in our lives. Of course, Mormons are not the only religion that teaches the importance of abstaining from certain things in order to grow closer to God. Many religions teach as much, although the specific things to be avoided often vary from religion to religion.
Actually, according to modern interpretations of the Word of Wisdom, no form of Green Tea is good for consumption. Green Tea contains large amounts of caffeine, an addictive drug. Mormons do drink herbal teas. Could it be that you confused Green Tea and Herbal Tea?
If you have any other questions, feel free to send them my way. I know that when investigating new religions, many questions often arise. I'd be happy to help you with any doubts you might have.
Green tea, on the other hand, does not contain such, and is an herbal tea. So, this part is up to individual interpretation until the prophet says one way or the other about herbal teas. As for myself, I don't drink either, but that's mostly because any hot liquid does not agree with my stomach. I can't even drink liquids from soups, because of this, and it certainly doesn't taste good cold.
Webmaster: I had always been taught that the Word of Wisdom prohibits green tea, however a site-wide search of lds.org for the term "green tea" revealed only one hit that does not explicitly counsel against green tea. Even Coca Cola, which is not explicitly prohibited by the Word of Wisdom, is mentioned more than one time. The term "black tea," however, also appears only once on lds.org, and it is clearly not in harmony with the Word of Wisdom. "Tea" in general is mentioned many times as being bad for the body, but "herbal tea" is okay. I should say that a general search of the internet supports the theory that "green tea" violates the Word of Wisdom, though that could point to only one common interpretation. Not sure what to think! Very interesting discussion!