Hot Drinks – Petersen

There are many hot drinks. It is admitted that continuous taking of excessively hot substances into the mouth and stomach is harmful to health. It is well, therefore, to avoid such practices. . . .

But is there some reason why we should avoid the use of tea and coffee, other than that they are served hot? We are reminded of course that many people take them as iced drinks in warm weather. Should we avoid tea and coffee as such, whether served hot or cold? Are they in violation of the Word of Wisdom in either case?

The Church teaches that the use of tea and coffee, whether hot or cold, is in violation of the Word of Wisdom, because of the fact that these drinks contain harmful and habit-forming substances. The caffeine in tea and coffee has a detrimental effect upon the health, and is therefore “not good for man,” to use the language of the revelation. [A Word of Wisdom (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1956), p. 13.]  Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve, 1956.