Why Don't Mormons Drink Coffee?

My son just started a new summer job working at Subway Sandwiches and was recently asked about some of his beliefs. It gave him an opportunity to share his own thoughts with his new friends and to realize that there are many people not of our faith who may have that same question.

So, I thought I'd address that same question here:

Why Don't Mormons Drink Coffee or Smoke?

That is a very good question and in the early days of the church they did.  But, one day, after having cleaned out the room where some of the church brothers had met in counsel, and having scraped off the spitting tobacco from the floors and aired out the room of smoke, the wife of the Prophet wondered about the mess. 

I won't put all the details on here but...her husband inquired of the Lord and received a revelation which we now call 'The Word of Wisdom'.  It was instruction to these early members of how the Lord would like to bless and help His children. 

Since we learn line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept the Lord teaches us step by step.  This was a new truth to help them and they were promised that if they would follow it's counsel and keep their bodies more clean, then they would be more receptive to the Spirit of the Lord and better able to receive His further light and guidance.  

This same blessing has been promised to the rest of us as well.  We've received further understanding with passing years of the wisdom of that early counsel.  Nowdays we know more about addicting substances and how they can contribute to ill health both physically and spiritually.

The Lord wants to bless His children.  He has provided wisdom in the scriptures to help us know how to receive those blessings.  Later on I'll talk more about revelation and it's on-going need but here I'll just share my gratitude that the Heavens have NOT been closed and that the Lord loves us now just as he did in ancient times when he gave counsel for the pressing issues of their day; i.e. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Children of Israel, Joseph in Egypt, Daniel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ruth and Naomi, Esther, the early Apostles etc.  They each needed direction for their concerns and the Lord gave it.  He will help us as well.  I know that for myself. 

Clean Habits, Thoughts, Actions

The Word of Wisdom is a set of guidelines, from the Lord, to keep us as healthy and strong as possible so that we can be better servants in the Kingdom.  It includes adequate rest, proper nutrition, and refraining from harmful elements.

A modern-day Prophet (yes, we need those because our challenges are unique to our time and, just like all things, we need unique answers for those challenges) taught that "The Word of Wisdom leads to clean habits, thoughts, and actions. It will make you more receptive to the Spirit of God which cannot dwell in an unclean tabernacle.....(the gospel plan)...provides for solid work, clean entertainment, and activity to promote growth of stature."  Benson,  So Shall Ye Reap

FRESH AIR and SUNSHINE; FREE Gifts from God

It seems to me that the most often the greatest blessings in life are offered to all and are available globally.  These include things like Fresh Air and Sunshine.

Granted, not all places offer these things all the time.  Perhaps, as man, we have messed things up a bit with our careless behavior as to the consequences of our choices and our use of stewardship.  But, for the most part, these are still available for those who seek them.

A friend who was feeling down last week sought these gifts to uplift her.  I told her to 'go out and sit in the sun and ....breathe deeply'.  For her, at that time, it was the right thing to do and boosted her enough to have a new perspective.

I know that simple things are not always a fix-all.  But, they have been provided for us for a reason.  They might be worth much more than we often realize.