Word of Wisdom

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Questions

== Critics claim that Joseph Smith and other early Latter-day Saints didn't follow the Word of Wisdom. They point to accounts in the Church's own printed history where Joseph drank wine and beer, and Brigham Young admitted drinking coffee regularly.

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]

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Answer

== The Word of Wisdom is "a principle with promise," initially given "not by commandment or constraint" (D&C 89:2–3). Today's Latter-day Saints are required to observe it more rigorously than those who came before them.

Church response

The only official interpretation of “hot drinks” (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early Church leaders that the term “hot drinks” means tea and coffee. Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. Nor should members use harmful or habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician.
—Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Handbook 2: Administering the Church—2010 (Intellectual Reserve, 2010). Selected Church Policies and Guidelines 21.3.11

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Topics

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History and implementation of the Word of Wisdom

Summary: Observance of the Word of Wisdom has changed over time, due to on-going revelation from modern-day prophets, who put greater emphasis on certain elements of the revelation originally given to Joseph Smith. Early Latter-day Saints were not under the same requirements as today's Saints are.

Joseph Smith used tea

Summary: Critics charge that Joseph Smith drank tea, used tobacco, or encouraged others to do so, thus violating the Word of Wisdom as we practice it today.

Almon Babbitt followed Joseph in violating the Word of Wisdom

Summary: Critics charge that Joseph Smith violated the Word of Wisdom, and that another member (Almon W. Babbitt) followed his example.

Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo

Summary: Critics charge that Joseph Smith sold liquor in Nauvoo, and this is evidence that he either didn't believe the Word of Wisdom was from God, or was hypocritical about it.

Brigham Young and tobacco

Summary: Critics charge that Brigham Young used snuff, tobacco, and tea, thus violating the Word of Wisdom.

Brigham Young's whiskey distillery

Summary: Critics note that Brigham had a whiskey distillery in Utah, thus encouraging others to violate the Word of Wisdom and showing his hypocrisy.

Growing tobacco in Utah

Summary: Critics charge that Brigham Young instructed members of the Church to grow tobacco in Utah, thus violating the Word of Wisdom.

Consumption of tea may bar someone from the Celestial Kingdom?

Summary: Critics quote Joseph Fielding Smith as saying that the consumption of tea may bar someone from the celestial kingdom.

Are we violating the Word of Wisdom if we do not eat meat sparingly?

Summary: Critics charge that Latter-day Saints do not keep the Word of Wisdom by eating meat "sparingly."

Cola drinks and caffeine

Summary: Are cola drinks (e.g. Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper) and other drinks containing caffeine forbidden to members of the Church?

Tea morally wrong?

Summary: Because of the Word of Wisdom, do members of the Church really believe that drinking tea (or alcohol, etc.) is "morally wrong"?

What are "hot drinks?"

Summary: Why are "hot drinks" forbidden by the Word of Wisdom? Why do members now restrict these instructions to coffee and tea?

Wine for the stomach?

Summary: Since the Word of Wisdom teaches us to abstain from alcohol, why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink wine for the stomach?

Accusations of hypocrisy in Church practices related to the Word of Wisdom

Summary: Critics claim that the Church, as a corporate entity, controls business properties that are not consistent with its stated purposes. Examples include claims that the Church owns controlling stock in the Coca-Cola company, stock in tobacco companies and stock in alcohol companies.

Water instead of wine for the Sacrament

Summary: Why does the LDS Church use water instead of wine for its sacrament services? The Doctrine and Covenants even allows for wine to be used, despite the Word of Wisdom's prohibitions on alcohol.