Do LDS drink green tea?

ReProof.AI exposes the arbitrary nature of the LDS 'Word of Wisdom,' which prohibits green tea, coffee, and alcohol, contrasting it with the Torah-observant faith of Yeshua and the apostles.

Quick Answer

Do LDS Drink Green Tea? Exposing the 'Word of Wisdom' Fault Lines Quick Answer Quick Answer: No, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) generally do not drink green tea, as it falls under the prohibition of "hot drinks" outlined in their 'Word of Wisdom.' This extra-biblical doctrine, presented as a…

Do LDS Drink Green Tea? Exposing the 'Word of Wisdom' Fault Lines

Quick Answer

Quick Answer: No, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) generally do not drink green tea, as it falls under the prohibition of "hot drinks" outlined in their 'Word of Wisdom.' This extra-biblical doctrine, presented as a divine commandment, stands in stark contrast to the Torah-observant faith of Yeshua, which emphasizes inward purity over arbitrary external dietary rules.

The Scholarly Case

The question of whether LDS members drink green tea immediately exposes a fundamental fault line between the original Hebraic-Messianic faith and later denominational traditions. The prohibition of green tea, alongside coffee and alcohol, stems from the LDS 'Word of Wisdom,' found in their Doctrine and Covenants, specifically section 89. This teaching, presented as a "word of wisdom" and not initially a strict commandment (Doctrine and Covenants 89:2), evolved over time into a mandatory requirement for temple worthiness and full fellowship. The Hebraic faith, as embodied by Yeshua and His apostles, consistently emphasized the internal state of the heart over external dietary regulations not explicitly commanded in the Torah. Yeshua Himself taught, "A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it" (Matthew 15:11 BSB). This principle underscores a spiritual reality where true defilement originates from within, from the heart, rather than from the consumption of specific foods or beverages. The Apostle Paul echoed this, stating, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17 BSB). The focus was on spiritual transformation and adherence to the moral and ethical commands of the Torah, not on creating new, arbitrary prohibitions. The 'Word of Wisdom' appears to be a unique revelation to Joseph Smith Jr., dating back to 1833. While initially framed as counsel, its eventual enforcement as a strict commandment highlights a pattern of developing new doctrines that diverge significantly from both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). The Tanakh, for instance, permits the consumption of wine (Deuteronomy 14:26) and offers no prohibition against caffeinated beverages. The very concept of "hot drinks" as a category for prohibition is foreign to biblical thought. Furthermore, the historical application of the 'Word of Wisdom' within the LDS Church reveals inconsistencies. Early leaders, including Joseph Smith Jr. himself, were known to consume alcohol, and the prohibition's interpretation has shifted over time. This evolution from "counsel" to "commandment," coupled with the arbitrary distinction between prohibited "hot drinks" (coffee, tea) and permitted caffeinated beverages (sodas), exposes a legalistic framework rather than a divinely consistent one. The 'Word of Wisdom' has become a "test of loyalty" to the prophet, as noted by modern counter-apologetics, rather than a clear, health-focused divine mandate. This creates a system where adherence to a specific, man-made rule becomes a prerequisite for "celestial kingdom" entry, elevating human tradition above the clear teachings of Scripture concerning salvation by grace through faith. The Book of Mormon itself contains internal contradictions regarding such practices. For example, while the Book of Mormon describes the sacrament as using wine (3 Nephi 18:8-10), modern LDS practice uses water. This shift, attributed to later revelations to Joseph Smith, demonstrates a willingness to alter foundational practices, further highlighting the fluid nature of LDS doctrine compared to the immutable Word of Elohim. The Hebraic tradition warns against adding to or subtracting from divine commandments, as stated in Deuteronomy 12:30-31 (BSB): "be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods." While not directly about green tea, the principle of not adopting practices foreign to YHWH's explicit commands is clear. The 'Word of Wisdom' also connects to the broader issue of the Book of Mormon's historical claims. The claim of ancient Hebrews in the Americas, the "Lamanites," is central to LDS theology. However, archaeological and genetic evidence consistently refutes this. Michael Coe, in "Mormons & Archaeology: An Outside View," highlighted the lack of archaeological support for Book of Mormon claims of pre-Columbian horses, steel, and wheat in Mesoamerica. John Sorenson's apologetic "An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon" attempted to counter this, but his arguments have been widely critiqued by scholars like Brent Metcalfe and Dan Vogel. More definitively, Simon Southerton's "Losing a Lost Tribe" demonstrates through mtDNA analysis that indigenous American populations derive from Asian, not Semitic, origins, directly refuting the "Lamanite as Hebrew" claim. This systematic undermining of foundational historical claims further weakens the credibility of subsequent LDS doctrines, including the 'Word of Wisdom.' The Hebraic-Messianic understanding posits that true spiritual strength and purity come from a transformed heart, obedient to the eternal Torah of YHWH, and empowered by the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), not from adherence to arbitrary dietary codes invented centuries after the apostolic era.

Adversary Teardown: lds.org

The official website, lds.org, and related LDS publications, present the 'Word of Wisdom' as a divinely inspired health code, a "commandment from prophets" that promotes physical and spiritual well-being. They defend it as a means to "protect from addiction and foster reliance on the Lord." This defense, however, meticulously avoids addressing the profound inconsistencies and extra-biblical nature of the doctrine itself. The 'Word of Wisdom' originated with Joseph Smith Jr. in 1833, roughly three years after the publication of the Book of Mormon in 1830. While Smith died in 1844, it was under Brigham Young, who led the LDS Church to Utah in 1847, that many doctrines, including the 'Word of Wisdom,' began to solidify into more rigid requirements. Young himself introduced the Adam-God doctrine in 1852 and sanctioned polygamy, which was only officially curtailed by the 1890 Manifesto under federal pressure. The 'Word of Wisdom' evolved from a "word of counsel" (Doctrine and Covenants 89:2) to a strict commandment, particularly under later presidents like Heber J. Grant in the early 20th century. This lineage demonstrates a clear break from the 1st-century Hebraic faith, which had no such dietary prohibitions beyond those in the Torah, and certainly none that evolved over centuries through subsequent "prophets." The core fault line is that the 'Word of Wisdom' creates a legalistic system where "a minor infraction (like drinking coffee) can disqualify one from ultimate salvation," as modern critics observe. This directly contradicts the Brit Chadashah's emphasis on salvation through faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. The LDS teaching implies that adherence to this specific, man-made code is essential for "temple worthiness" and entry into the "Celestial Kingdom," effectively making human rules a prerequisite for eternal life, a concept entirely foreign to the Messianic Jewish understanding of grace. A secondary adversary, the Book of Mormon, further complicates the LDS position. While it purports to be an ancient record of God's dealings with inhabitants of the Americas, its historical and scientific claims have been systematically debunked. For instance, the Book of Mormon describes horses, chariots, steel swords, wheat, barley, and silk in pre-Columbian America. Michael Coe, in "Mormons & Archaeology: An Outside View" (Dialogue, 1973), meticulously documented the archaeological absence of these items. While John Sorenson attempted an apologetic defense in "An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon" (1985), his arguments have been thoroughly refuted by scholars like Brent Metcalfe and Dan Vogel, who point to the lack of credible evidence. Furthermore, Simon Southerton's research in "Losing a Lost Tribe" (2004) uses DNA evidence to show that the genetic markers of indigenous Americans point to Asian, not Semitic, origins, directly invalidating the Book of Mormon's central narrative of "Lamanites" as descendants of ancient Hebrews. These profound anachronisms and scientific refutations undermine the very foundation upon which subsequent LDS doctrines, like the 'Word of Wisdom,' are built, exposing them as products of 19th-century American religious innovation rather than ancient divine revelation.

Counter-Arguments Anticipated

Objection 1: The 'Word of Wisdom' is a modern revelation from God, given for our health and spiritual benefit in these latter days.

This argument fails to recognize the principle of canonical closure and the consistency of Elohim's character. The Tanakh closes with Malachi, and the Brit Chadashah confirms the sufficiency of the revelation given through Yeshua and His apostles. Deuteronomy 4:2 explicitly warns against adding to or subtracting from God's commandments. While YHWH certainly cares for our health, the 'Word of Wisdom' introduces arbitrary prohibitions (e.g., green tea but not highly caffeinated sodas) that lack biblical precedent and have evolved significantly over time. True spiritual benefit comes from obedience to the eternal Torah and faith in Yeshua, not from adherence to extra-biblical dietary codes that contradict the spirit of Matthew 15:11 and Romans 14:17.

Objection 2: Early Church leaders, including Joseph Smith, consumed alcohol because the 'Word of Wisdom' was initially only counsel, not a commandment. It became stricter as God's people became more prepared.

This explanation highlights the very problem: a shifting, evolving "divine" mandate. If a "word of wisdom" from God can change from counsel to commandment, and its interpretation can be altered over time (e.g., using water instead of wine for sacrament, despite the Book of Mormon's description), it undermines the immutability and reliability of divine truth. The original Hebraic faith emphasizes the eternal nature of YHWH's commands. This historical evolution reveals a human-driven process of codification rather than a consistent, unchanging divine standard. It also creates a system where adherence to these evolving rules becomes a "test of loyalty" to human leaders, rather than genuine obedience to Elohim.

Objection 3: Abstaining from green tea and other substances shows discipline and reliance on the Lord, fostering spiritual growth.

While self-discipline is commendable, when it becomes a prerequisite for salvation or "celestial kingdom" entry, it devolves into works-based righteousness. The Brit Chadashah teaches that spiritual strength and growth are gifts received through faith in Yeshua and the indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh, not a result of adhering to specific dietary rules (Romans 14:17). Framing adherence to the 'Word of Wisdom' as the path to reliance on the Lord can lead to spiritual pride for those who comply and despair for those who struggle, missing the true source of divine strength found in Messiah Yeshua.

Position Lock

Position Lock: The LDS 'Word of Wisdom,' prohibiting green tea and other "hot drinks," is an extra-biblical doctrine that deviates from the Torah-observant faith of Yeshua and the apostles, imposing arbitrary human traditions as conditions for salvation, contrary to the clear biblical emphasis on inward purity and grace through faith.