The Word of Wisdom

An old member of the LDS church once told me that he could remember when it was okay for Mormons to drink coffee. He was born in the early 1900s, and said drinking coffee and tea weren’t sins back in those days.

Brigham Young taught “If a person is weary, worn out, cast down, fainting, or dying, a brandy sling, a little wine, or a cup of tea is good to revive them. Do not throw these things away, and say they must never be used; they are good to be used with judgment, prudence, and discretion. Ask our Bishops if they drink tea every day, and in most cases they will tell you they do if they can get it.” JD 12:403

For those who need a refresher, here’s a reenactment of D&C 89:

Brigham Young also advised tobacco chewers “Many of the brethren chew tobacco, and I have advised them to be modest about it. Do not take out a whole plug of tobacco in meeting before the eyes of the congregation, and cut off a long slice and put it in your mouth…” JD 8:362