In the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) we're taught what's called the Word
of Wisdom (D&C
89) founded by Joseph Smith through revelation he received from God.
"A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests,
assembled in Kirkland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion" (D&C
89:1) In it we're taught to not drink Coffee, alcohol or take of addictive
substances, use
tobacco, drugs, smoke or
anything really that would be harmful to our bodies. "...showing forth the
order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last
days" (D&C
89:2)
Though we are told the things we should stay away from, He also goes
along the lines of what is good for us:
"And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs
God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man. Every herb in
the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used
with prudence and thanksgiving." (D&C
89:10-11) ( Read below to see how this includes caffeine)
“And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings,
walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel
and marrow to their bones. And shall find wisdom and great treasures of
knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall
walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the
destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay
them. Amen." (D&C
89:18-21)
For the most part we do good with keeping this commandment. We don't drink coffee or alcohol or do drugs. But there are certain things that are not followed by exact obedience. For example, caffeine. Though this may be a sensitive or strange subject for many, it is important to recognize that this is not me telling you to stop, but God.
For the most part we do good with keeping this commandment. We don't drink coffee or alcohol or do drugs. But there are certain things that are not followed by exact obedience. For example, caffeine. Though this may be a sensitive or strange subject for many, it is important to recognize that this is not me telling you to stop, but God.
"We should notice the word wholesome and
always consider the things that we take into our body as to whether they are
wholesome or not. The
scripture continues, “All these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. (D&C 89:11.) Consider the word prudence. Would eating a
whole apple pie or a cake or watermelon at one sitting be prudent… Two of the tests we can employ as we question the use of
any food or beverage are: Is it wholesome?
Is it prudent? ….. We
know that cola drinks contain the drug caffeine. We know caffeine is not wholesome nor prudent for the use of our bodies. It is only
sound judgment to conclude that cola drinks and any others that contain caffeine or other harmful ingredients should not
be used.” (Peterson,
H. Burke. 1975 Oct. Is it Against Church Standards to Drink Cola
Beverages or any other beverage containing caffeine? Retrieved here
lds.org) https://www.lds.org/new-era/1975/10/q-and-a-questions-and-answers/is-it-against-church-standards-to-drink-cola-beverages-or-any-other-beverage-containing-caffeine?lang=eng#
Mormon.org expresses
that, “God
also counsels us in this law to avoid a handful of harmful and addictive
substances.” They continue on with saying how by following the word of
wisdom we’re promised to be blessed physically and spiritually. In fact, there
is scientific proof that this is true. To read the scientific proof, click here. (Mormon.org,
2017, Sept 18. “Do Mormons drink Coffee?”
Retrieved from here)
Doctor Thomas J.
Boud expressed his concern on caffeine, “…caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can lead to addiction.
Both as a doctor and as a member of the Church, I recognize the physical, mental, and spiritual dangers
of any addictive substance. Any
addictive behavior, whatever the source, can lead to a loss of spiritual health and
freedom. I have treated a number of caffeine-related
medical conditions in young people and in adults. These conditions include jitteriness, agitation, insomnia,
difficulty concentrating, dehydration, weight gain, depression, high blood
pressure, and rapid heart rate. There have even been reports of deaths as a direct result of caffeine overdose.3” Why would you want to intake something that would be
harmful to your body whether drastically or minimally? Why take the risk of in
taking a substance that could be addictive? To read more of Dr. Boud’s article
click here (Boud, Thomas J. 2008, Dec. The Energy
Drink Addiction. Retrieved here) (https://www.lds.org/new-era/2008/12/energy-drinks-the-lift-that-lets-you-down/the-energy-drink-addiction?lang=eng)
Russel M.
Nelson discussed agency and the ability to make choices for ourselves,
"The choice is yours, but so are the consequences. It is a matter of
individual choice and commitment....Agency, or the power to choose, was ours as
spirit children of our Creator before the world was (see Alma 13:3; Moses 4:4). It is a gift from God,
nearly as precious as life itself. Often, however, agency is misunderstood.
While we are free to choose, once we have made those choices, we are tied to
the consequences of those choices....Once we choose to use a habit-forming
drug, we are bound to the consequences of that choice. Addiction surrenders
later freedom to choose. Through chemical means, one can literally become
disconnected from his or her own will! (Nelson, Russel M 1989 Sept. Addiction
or Freedom. Retrieved from here
lds.org) Mormon.org shared how, "Mormons believe that by following
the Word of Wisdom they will be blessed both physically and spiritually. And
the physical benefits of heeding the counsel in the Word of Wisdom are
something science has been able to prove as well." To see the scientific
facts, visit here
(Mormon.org 2017, Sept 18. Do Mormons Drink Coffee? )
This reminds me of
an analogy I was told many years ago. There was a young man who was an incredible
swimmer. He went to the beach one day excited to go swimming in the waves. When
he arrived he noticed some signs warning of a whirlpool, advising not to enter
the ocean. Thinking he was a good enough swimmer, he decided to ignore the
warnings and entered the waters. Sooner or later he got swept up into the
swirls of the whirlpool, unable to get out. We all have the ability to choose
(agency) – which is a gift we’re given from God. Though we have the ability to
choose, we always have a consequence to our actions. Just as the man had the
choice whether or not to heed the warnings given, we have the choice to heed
the warnings given in our lives. As soon as he entered the waters his agency
was taken away from him. He no longer had the ability to choose whether or not
he would stay in or out of the waters. A couple weeks back I heard this saying
in church, “Satan frees us to bind us. God binds us to free us.” Satan makes
the ocean seem so desirable and makes you feel like you’re capable of anything
no matter the circumstance. Once he gets you to believe the lie he grasps you
in his whirlpool of destruction. Whether it’s an addiction, death or another destructive
consequence. God on the other hand gives us guidance and standards and laws to
live by (which many may see as binding or restrictive) only to allow us to be
free in being able to choose what we do and to be strong in health. No
addictions binding us. We won’t drown in the whirlpool for we’ll be on dry land
feeling the rays of the warm sun. As Winnifred Jardine expressed, “The
application of the Word of Wisdom is a matter of personal discipline and
restraint.” (Jardine, Winnifred. 1971 Feb, With all the knowledge we have of perhaps harmful additives in much of
the food we buy today and our knowledge of caffeine in soft drinks and
chocolate and lots of other unhealthful substances I food products, how does
one live the word of wisdom in 1971? Can one really live it fully? Retrieved
here) I couldn’t have said it better myself.
It is YOUR choice. And your choice will lead to YOUR consequences whether good
or bad.
“To a 150-pound adult, “a cup of instant
coffee or a can of cola beverage could give about 1 mg caffeine per kilogram of
body weight. In a very young child, a cup of chocolate or a candy bar would
give the same proportion of stimulant to body weight. When this child drinks a
can of cola, … caffeine intake is comparable to an adult drinking four cups of
instant coffee. … Restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, and nervousness
are some of the symptoms.” (Bunker and McWilliams, 1979, page 30),” Clifford J. Stratton explained. “With
reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially take an position on
this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do no
specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming
drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any
beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided. The
Word of Wisdom is true to its name – it wisely instructs us against drinks that
are harmful to our bodies.” (Stratton, Clifford J. 1990, March. Caffeine- Retrieved here)
In conclusion
Russel M. Nelson gives what he calls his “Spiritual
Prescription.” 1 – Choose to be Alive. 2 – Choose to believe. 3 – Choose to
Change. 4 – Choose to be different. 5 – Choose to exercise. 6 – Choose to be
free. He goes into detail on each of these. I would highly recommend reading
this spiritual prescription as it will lead to more freedom and happiness.
I have lived by
this and have seen many blessings. I don't HAVE to have my dr. pepper or mtn
dew or coffee. I get the rest I need so I don't need caffeine
to keep me awake; but, on the nights that I do need to stay awake I don't
revert to caffeine - but I stand up, walk around a little bit and do some
exercises that help the brain to function (Such as this: click
here). I challenge you to study this out in your mind, heart and Spirit with prayer
and fasting. This is of course revelation you can get for yourself. Don't take my word for it. Pray or even fast about it. Study the word of wisdom in D&C 89. If you go to God with an open heart and ready to act on the answer you're given (real intent) , I promise you that the Spirit of God will direct you to nothing but the truth.
Heal
your Spirit, mind and body - link to help addictions
Picture from here
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