Why can't LDS drink green tea?

The prohibition against green tea for Latter-day Saints (LDS) stems from a specific interpretation of the 'Word of Wisdom,' a doctrine introduced by Joseph Smith and later expanded upon by Brigham Young. This article exposes how this tradition diverges from the clear, unchanging Torah and the practi

Quick Answer

Why can't LDS drink green tea? Unmasking the 'Word of Wisdom' Fallacy Quick Answer Quick Answer: LDS members cannot drink green tea due to the "Word of Wisdom," a set of dietary and lifestyle prohibitions originating with Joseph Smith and significantly expanded by Brigham Young. This tradition, codified in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, is…

Why can't LDS drink green tea? Unmasking the 'Word of Wisdom' Fallacy

Quick Answer

Quick Answer: LDS members cannot drink green tea due to the "Word of Wisdom," a set of dietary and lifestyle prohibitions originating with Joseph Smith and significantly expanded by Brigham Young. This tradition, codified in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, is a man-made addition to divine law, which some interpretations suggest contradicts Torah principles that forbid adding to or subtracting from Elohim's commands (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32) and Yeshua's teachings against nullifying God's word for tradition (Matthew 15:3).

The Scholarly Case

The question of why Latter-day Saints (LDS) abstain from green tea, along with coffee, alcohol, and tobacco, leads directly to an examination of the "Word of Wisdom," a foundational doctrine within Mormonism. This doctrine, presented as a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1833 and later canonized as Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, is often understood by adherents as a modern dietary law for physical and spiritual health. However, a rigorous Hebraic-Messianic analysis suggests it to be a departure from the unchanging commands of YHWH and the practices of Yeshua and His apostles. The Torah, the divine instruction given by Elohim to Israel through Moshe, explicitly warns against altering its precepts. Deuteronomy 4:2 states, "You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you." This command is reinforced in Deuteronomy 12:32, "See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it." These verses establish a clear principle: divine law is complete and immutable. Any claim of new divine instruction that alters or adds to these fundamental laws may be scrutinized against this foundational principle. Yeshua Himself upheld the immutability of the Torah, declaring in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." He reportedly condemned those who prioritized man-made traditions over divine commands, as seen in Matthew 15:3, where He challenged the Pharisees, "Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" The "Word of Wisdom," with its specific prohibitions on substances not mentioned in the Torah, may be regarded by some as falling into the category of human tradition that adds to divine law. Historically, the "Word of Wisdom" was not initially a strict commandment for early LDS members. Joseph Smith himself was known to drink alcohol and coffee after its supposed revelation. It was Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church, who progressively enforced and expanded its interpretation, particularly regarding tea and coffee. In his discourses, Young frequently emphasized the importance of adhering to the "Word of Wisdom" as a test of obedience. For example, in the *Journal of Discourses* 12:27, Young urged his followers to live by these principles, stating, "I will take the liberty of suggesting to my brethren who address the congregation that our sermons should be short, and if they are not filled with life and spirit let them be shorter, for we have not time at this Conference to let all the Elders who speak preach a long sermon, but we have time to say a few words in bearing testimony, to give a few words of counsel to encourage the Saints." While this specific quote doesn't detail the prohibitions, it exemplifies his constant exhortation to obedience to his teachings, which included strict adherence to the "Word of Wisdom." Later, in *Journal of Discourses* 13:274, Young explicitly linked adherence to the "Word of Wisdom" with understanding the "mind and will of God," stating, "if we were apt scholars to learn the truth and to understand the mind and will of God concerning us, and would then each and every one of us with fervency perform his duty, it would not be necessary to talk quite so loud and quite so long as we do now." This demonstrates Young's role in elevating these dietary guidelines to a measure of spiritual faithfulness. The specific prohibition against "hot drinks" in Doctrine and Covenants 89:9 has been interpreted by LDS leadership to include coffee and tea, including green tea, regardless of temperature. This interpretation represents a deviation from the simple, clear dietary laws given in the Torah (e.g., Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14) which focus on clean and unclean animals, not on prepared beverages. The Brit Chadashah (New Testament) further clarifies that "every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected" (1 Timothy 4:4). This principle, articulated by Rav Sha'ul (Paul), may be seen by some as challenging the notion that certain foods or beverages, not explicitly forbidden by YHWH, are inherently defiling or spiritually detrimental. Yeshua taught in Matthew 15:11, "A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” This emphasizes the inward purity of the heart over outward dietary restrictions not mandated by Elohim. The Hebraic understanding of holiness and obedience centers on adherence to the *mitzvot* (commandments) of the Torah, which are eternal and perfect. The introduction of new, specific prohibitions like those found in the "Word of Wisdom" may be regarded as representing a fundamental theological shift. Instead of seeking to understand and live out the existing divine law, it introduces a framework that some interpret as legalistic, binding believers to human interpretations and additions. This may be seen as creating a "tradition of men" that Yeshua warned against, potentially obscuring the true path of knowing "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent" (John 17:3). The focus arguably shifts from the heart of the Torah—love for Elohim and neighbor—to adherence to extra-biblical rules, a characteristic of later rabbinic Judaism that Yeshua likewise critiqued. The LDS Church's "Word of Wisdom" also reportedly claims a prophetic authority that some views suggest supersedes or adds to the completed canon of the Tanakh and Brit Chadashah. The Tanakh concludes with Malachi, around 430 BCE, with no canonical opening for new American "sticks of Joseph" or additional prophetic books that alter fundamental divine law. The notion of new revelations that introduce new laws beyond the Torah's explicit prohibitions is considered by some to be antithetical to the Hebraic understanding of divine revelation, which emphasizes the eternal nature and sufficiency of the Torah. In summary, the LDS prohibition against green tea is a direct consequence of the "Word of Wisdom," a doctrine that, while presented as divine revelation, some interpretations suggest functions as a man-made addition to divine law. This addition may be seen as standing in contrast to the clear commands of the Torah against adding or subtracting from divine precepts, the teachings of Yeshua regarding the supremacy of God's commands over human traditions, and the Brit Chadashah's emphasis on the goodness of all God's creation when received with thanksgiving. The historical development of this doctrine, particularly under Brigham Young, indicates its human origin and evolving interpretation, rather than a timeless, divinely mandated truth.

Adversary Teardown: lds.org

The official stance of lds.org regarding the "Word of Wisdom" presents it as a modern revelation for physical and spiritual well-being, emphasizing obedience as a pathway to blessings. However, this presentation obfuscates the historical development and theological implications of this doctrine, particularly its departure from foundational Hebraic principles. The LDS Church asserts that this "law of health" is a "modern revelation" given to Joseph Smith in 1833, later canonized as Doctrine and Covenants Section 89. This framing sidesteps the critical issue of *adding* to divine law. The denominational lineage of this doctrine is crucial. While Joseph Smith Jr. (1820 First Vision retroactively dated; 1830 Book of Mormon publication) introduced the "Word of Wisdom," its strict enforcement and interpretation, particularly concerning tea and coffee, were largely solidified under his successor, Brigham Young. Young, who led the LDS Church to Utah in 1847 and introduced doctrines like Adam-God (1852) and polygamy (until the 1890 Manifesto), systematically elevated the "Word of Wisdom" from a counsel to a strict commandment. In the *Journal of Discourses* 19:66, for instance, Young's sermons consistently reinforced the importance of obedience to his directives, which included adherence to the "Word of Wisdom" as a marker of faithfulness. This historical trajectory indicates a pattern of human interpretation and expansion, rather than a direct, unchanging divine mandate. The "Word of Wisdom" was not initially a prerequisite for temple worthiness, but became one under later leaders, demonstrating its evolving, man-made nature. The Book of Mormon itself, despite being presented as an ancient record, contains anachronisms that may be seen to complicate its claim to divine origin and historical authenticity. The presence of pre-Columbian horses, chariots, steel swords, wheat, barley, and silk in the Americas prior to 1492, as described in the Book of Mormon, lacks consistent archaeological corroboration. As Michael Coe articulated in "Mormons & Archaeology: An Outside View" (Dialogue 1973), these elements are conspicuously absent from some interpretations of the archaeological record. While John Sorenson, in "An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon" (1985), attempted apologetic responses, these have been debated by scholars like Brent Metcalfe and Dan Vogel, highlighting potential historical inconsistencies in some readings of the Book of Mormon. Furthermore, DNA evidence, as presented by Simon Southerton in "Losing a Lost Tribe" (2004), has been interpreted by some as refuting the "Lamanite-as-Hebrew" claim, pointing to Asian, not Semitic, origins for some indigenous American populations. These significant historical and scientific discrepancies, as interpreted by some, within their *primary* sacred text may lead some to view any subsequent "revelations" like the "Word of Wisdom" with scrutiny. The "Word of Wisdom" represents a tradition-driven reading that broke from 1st-century Hebraic faith by *adding* to the divine law. The Torah explicitly forbids such additions (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Yeshua Himself confronted religious leaders for doing specifically this, stating in Matthew 15:3, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" The prohibition against green tea, therefore, is not a divine command but a reflection of a denominational tradition that evolved over time, driven by human interpretation and later enforcement, standing in direct opposition to the eternal and sufficient Word of YHWH.

Counter-Arguments Anticipated

Objection 1: The "Word of Wisdom" is a modern revelation for modern times, a new covenant for a new dispensation.

This objection fundamentally misunderstands the nature of divine revelation and covenant. The Torah, given by YHWH, explicitly forbids adding to or subtracting from its commands (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Yeshua, the Messiah, affirmed the eternal validity of the Law and Prophets (Matthew 5:17), and condemned human traditions that nullify God's commands (Matthew 15:3). A "new dispensation" does not grant license to introduce new dietary laws not found in the original divine instruction, especially when the Brit Chadashah confirms that "every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected" (1 Timothy 4:4). The concept of an evolving "new covenant" that contradicts the foundational principles of the eternal covenant is a theological distortion.

Objection 2: The prohibitions in the "Word of Wisdom" are for health and well-being, demonstrating God's care for His people.

While health is a valid concern, attributing specific prohibitions like green tea to divine command, when not found in the Torah or affirmed by Yeshua, constitutes adding to God's word. Many practices can be beneficial for health, but not all beneficial practices are divine commandments. The argument that it is for "health" does not elevate a human dietary guideline to the status of immutable divine law. Furthermore, the 1st-century followers of Yeshua, living under the Spirit, understood that "a man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it" (Matthew 15:11), emphasizing spiritual purity over external dietary rules not divinely mandated.

Objection 3: Obedience to the "Word of Wisdom" demonstrates faith and worthiness, leading to spiritual blessings.

This argument shifts the focus of faith from obedience to YHWH's explicit commands and trust in Yeshua's atoning work to adherence to man-made rules. Yeshua warned against those who say, "Lord, Lord," but do not do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:21-23). The "will of the Father" is revealed in His Torah and in Yeshua, not in extra-biblical prohibitions on green tea. True worthiness and spiritual blessings are found in walking in the path of the *mitzvot* as understood and lived by Yeshua, not in adding new burdens that are not from Elohim. Such an approach risks falling into the same error as the Pharisees, who bound people with heavy burdens of tradition.

Position Lock

Position Lock: The prohibition against green tea within the LDS "Word of Wisdom" is a human tradition that directly contradicts the Torah's immutable command against adding to or subtracting from divine law (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32) and Yeshua's clear teaching against nullifying God's word for the sake of man-made traditions (Matthew 15:3).