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why do mormons not drink coffee

Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) do not drink coffee because their health code, a revelation called the Word of Wisdom (given in 1833), instructs them to avoid “hot drinks,” which church leaders have interpreted as coffee and tea. This has become a sign of religious obedience and spiritual commitment, not just a health tip.

Why Do Mormons Not Drink Coffee?

Quick Scoop

1. The Core Reason (The Word of Wisdom)

In 1833, Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the church, recorded a revelation now found in a book of LDS scripture called Doctrine and Covenants , section 89, known as the Word of Wisdom.

This revelation advises believers to avoid certain substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and something described as “hot drinks.”

Later church leaders clarified that “hot drinks” means coffee and tea (specifically coffee and traditional black/green tea, not herbal teas).

So for practicing Latter-day Saints, not drinking coffee is fundamentally about following a divine commandment as interpreted by their prophets, rather than about coffee itself.

2. Is It About Caffeine?

Many outsiders assume Mormons avoid coffee because of caffeine. The reality is more nuanced:

  • Church leaders have never officially banned caffeine outright.
  • Many Latter-day Saints drink caffeinated sodas or energy drinks without seeing them as a violation.
  • Even decaf coffee is still not allowed, which shows the rule is about the drink itself, not only the stimulant in it.

So the focus is on specific beverages (coffee and tea) named in the interpretation of the Word of Wisdom, not a blanket ban on all stimulants.

3. Health and Lifestyle Reasons (Secondary but Important)

While the root reason is religious, health arguments often appear in LDS explanations and discussions:

  • Coffee is sometimes framed as potentially habit-forming , with concerns about addiction and dependence.
  • Some LDS sources and commentators mention possible health risks like cardiovascular strain or sleep disruption, even though modern studies also point to benefits of moderate coffee consumption.
  • The Word of Wisdom is presented as a holistic health code , encouraging wholesome foods, moderation, and avoidance of harmful substances.

Many believers see obedience to this code as a way to show respect for their bodies as gifts from God and to maintain spiritual clarity.

4. Spiritual Commitment and Temple Participation

For practicing Mormons, this isn’t just a casual lifestyle choice; it connects directly to religious participation:

  • Keeping the Word of Wisdom (including avoiding coffee) is required to receive a “temple recommend,” which is needed to enter LDS temples.
  • Drinking coffee is usually viewed as a significant transgression in that context, even if not on the level of more serious sins.
  • For many members, abstaining from coffee functions as a daily reminder of their covenants and religious identity.

In everyday terms: saying “no” to coffee is a visible marker that someone is trying to live their faith seriously.

5. What About Iced Coffee, Herbal Tea, and Soda?

Modern life complicates a simple “no hot drinks” rule, so here’s how it generally plays out:

  • Iced coffee: Still coffee, just cold, so it is not allowed.
  • Black/green tea (hot or iced): Treated like coffee; also prohibited.
  • Herbal tea: Usually fine, since it’s not considered “tea” in the doctrinal sense and contains no coffee/tea leaf.
  • Caffeinated soda/energy drinks: Officially permitted, though individual members may choose to avoid them personally.

In forum discussions, some members joke that the line can feel arbitrary (iced coffee vs. iced herbal tea), but most still follow the official guidance because of its spiritual significance.

6. How Mormons Themselves Talk About It (Forum & Trending Context)

Online forums (both LDS and ex-LDS) show a range of perspectives:

  • Active believers usually frame coffee avoidance as simple obedience : “God asked, so I do it,” even if they don’t fully understand the reason.
  • Some ex-Mormons or more questioning members describe the rule as culturally shaped or “a moving target,” noting changes over time (like a softer stance on caffeine in soda).
  • There are recurring Reddit threads asking if the rule is “outdated,” whether iced coffee should be okay, or if the policy might relax in the future.

Despite the debate, the official stance from the church’s own materials remains consistent: no coffee or traditional tea , as part of the Word of Wisdom.

“Mormons are also taught not to drink ‘hot drinks,’ meaning coffee or any tea other than herbal tea.”

7. Multiple Viewpoints in One Glance

Here’s a quick view of how different lenses answer “why do Mormons not drink coffee”:

[3][5] [9][1][3] [1][3][5] [7]
Perspective Short Answer
Official Church Teaching God revealed a health law (Word of Wisdom) that prohibits coffee and tea; faithful members obey it as a commandment.
Health-Framed LDS View Coffee can be addictive and disruptive to physical and spiritual well-being, so it is wise to avoid it.
Cultural/Identity View Not drinking coffee marks LDS identity and signals commitment; it’s part of what makes Mormons “distinct.”
Critical/Ex- Mormon View The rule feels inconsistent or culturally dated; some see it as more about control or group boundary-setting than health.

8. Is This Likely to Change?

There is no official indication that the church is planning to allow coffee.

However, forums and commentary point out that practical emphasis has shifted over time (for example, the softer public stance on caffeine in soda), which leads some to speculate—but that’s just speculation, not policy.

For now, if you meet a practicing Latter-day Saint who follows church standards, you can safely assume they avoid coffee as part of their religious commitment.

TL;DR:
Mormons do not drink coffee because their health code, the 1833 Word of Wisdom , has been interpreted by church leaders to forbid coffee and tea, making abstinence a sign of obedience and spiritual commitment rather than just a health preference.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.