▣ Answers from the Scriptures

You asked · Latter-day Saint

Why can't Mormons drink coffee or tea?

Reflection

The guidance concerning what we partake of is offered as a pathway to greater physical and spiritual well-being. It is understood that by abstaining from certain things, we invite blessings of strength, wisdom, and protection. This principle is not about restriction for its own sake, but rather about a conscious choice to nourish the body and spirit in ways that align with divine counsel, thereby drawing closer to the divine.

This counsel is often received in the context of a broader commitment to live a life of greater holiness and dedication. It speaks to a desire to be more attuned to the promptings of the Spirit, and to be better instruments in furthering the Lord's work. The promise is that by choosing to follow these simple commands, we can experience enhanced spiritual vitality and a deeper connection to the Lord's love and guidance.

Passages

"And again, inasmuch as they shall receive the counsel of the elders of the church, and they shall be ordained unto them by the conferences of the church, to teach the principles of the gospel from the beginning, and from generation to generation." — Doctrine and Covenants 42:13 · Doctrine and Covenants

"But, behold, it is not wisdom that he should minister unto the people in the manner that the brother of Jared did, for he was mighty even unto the like of God." — Ether 12:25 · Book of Mormon

"And it was from the beginning, that the father of all men knew not where to obtain a knowledge of him, except by the holy scriptures." — Abraham 1:4 · Pearl of Great Price

A Question for You

In what ways do you feel mindful choices about what you consume can influence your spirit?