Do Mormons eat Chocolate?
Within the Mormon church, we have what we call “The Word of Wisdom” which is a health code the church received in 1833. Zebedee Coltrin was one who was present when Joseph Smith received this revelation and he later recorded:
“When the Word of Wisdom was first presented by the Prophet Joseph…there were twenty out of the twenty-one who used tobacco and they all immediately threw their tobacco and pipes into the fire.” (Minutes, Salt Lake City School of Prophets, 3 Oct. 1883, p. 56.)
What is the Word of Wisdom and why is it called that?
The revelation begins unlike any other revelation, as counsel, but not a commandment. However, as can be seen above, the brethren present took God’s counsel as serious as if it were a commandment.
Doctrine & Covenants 89
1 A WORD OF WISDOM, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion-
2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days-
The revelation continues by counseling members of the church on things to avoid, things to partake of, and a promise as to the benefits of doing this.
Do Mormons drink alcohol?
Among the things Mormons don’t partake of, the following were specifically listed:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Coffee
- Tea
Among the things we are told to partake of:
- Wholesome herbs
- Grains (specifically mentioned wheat)
- Fruit
- Meat, sparingly, and in times of winter or famine
The promise to members of the church for so doing is as follows:
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
Essentially, by following this counsel, a person will have a clearer mind due to better health. With a clearer mind and obedience to God’s commandments, it is easier to receive revelation and knowledge from God. The ultimate promise is that if you follow this counsel, it is like following the counsel the children of Israel were given to put lamb’s blood on their door posts for protection when the destroying angel swept through Egypt and killed the first born. It’s an act of obedience that brings protection.
So do Mormons eat chocolate? Yes
Do Mormons eat pork? Yes
Do Mormons eat ice cream, pizza, and pretty much anything they want? Yes
We just try to avoid things that are addictive or and bad for the body and mind. This is a word of wisdom. It is just good counsel for people to live by to be healthier and more in tune with the spirit of the Lord. It is good counsel for all people.
If you would like to read the revelation in its entirety, click here: The Word of Wisdom
If there is a “health code”, why are so many members obese (even morbidly obese)? And why can you drink caffeinated soda but not tea or coffee? Genuinely trying to understand.
Hi Kristine, I’m sure you would agree that obesity isn’t an LDS issue. People all over the world have health challenges including overeating or having the wrong diet. We live in a time when people are under a lot more stress and anxiety than existed 50 years ago. One coping mechanism for people is eating, particularly something sweet. Sugar is addictive. It triggers something in the brain that tells us we want more. It’s a growing problem (no pun intended :)). As for tea and coffee, it’s just the drinks at the time in Joseph Smith’s day that fell under the revelation. We don’t know exactly why, except we do see some negative health effects that are associated with tea and coffee and you can find those online. If the revelation were given today, it might include other items like caffeinated drinks and sugar. 🙂 Those probably fall under the “spirit of the law” as things to be avoided or used in very careful moderation. What it really comes down to though is obedience. When Jesus told Naaman to wash 7 times in the Jordan, he could have said, “that doesn’t make any sense. I’ll just go home.” But instead he obeyed, and was cleansed. It’s really a small thing but it teaches us the principle of obedience to God. If we can do it in a small thing that isn’t necessary for life (tea & coffee), we can do it in bigger things as well. It gives us righteous discipline. Hope that helps.
Why do you say that Jesus told Namaan to dip 7 times.
Whoops. 🙂 Thanks Jeannette. That should have said Elisha told Naaman. Not sure what happened when I first typed that.
But green tea is very healthy better then drinking coffee
Hi Carol, sorry I missed your comment for so long. That may be the case, but the Lord has commanded us not to partake of it. We don’t always immediately know the reasons for why the Lord has asked us not to partake of something but there are spiritual principles involved in testing our obedience. Nothing is arbitrary to the Lord. Here’s a brief article on the church’s website that specifically mentions black and green tea as being against the Word of Wisdom.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2019/08/vaping-coffee-tea-and-marijuana
i can tell you why you should not drink tea, alcohol, coffee, caf soda: if you have the discipline to have one drink a month, then fine. go at it. maybe it is a medication for you. health experts don’t say to drink green tea 2 liters/day. so there you have it. and for those who don’t have the discipline? if god is telling you’do this, and live longer, healthier and happier’, hell -why not try it? can’t hurt to be healthy & happy, eh?
are you allowed to drink tea that is not decafinated,like earl grey or vanilla chai or rooibos tea,?!!!
Hi Dale, thanks for asking. The Church restrictions on tea do not include herbal teas as those are just herbs steeped in hot water. The issue is anything that contains tea leaves, caffeinated or not, so I think what you listed there is off limits but I’m not familiar with Rooibos tea. I think that’s possibly herbal in nature which would be ok.