LionHeart

Thank you Maureen for the info on the tannic acid. I do know that iced tea is also taught as being against the w.o.w. so there must be something in tea and coffee other than them being hot drinks. However I heard somewhere that the reason the w.o.w. was given in the first place is because some people were judging other people because of their eating habits so thus a standard was given. But even up to the time of his death, Joseph Smith still enjoyed a cup of coffee from time to time. So I agree with what was mentioned before: "Eat sparingly, with thanksgiving and moderation in all things." I believe this to be the higher standard.

Actually I believe that the reason coffee and tea are considered strong drink is because they contain a substance called tanic acid. That is the reason; not the fact that they have caffiene. So even decaf would be against the W.o.W. However, the most improtant part of the word of wisdom is not the things it says to eat or not eat, it is all summed up in verse 18: "All saints who remeber to keep and do these sayings, 'Walking In Obedience To The Commandments', shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones." So in other words it doesn't do anyone a bit of good if they don't also live God's commandments.