Descriptions:
You’ll notice that Doctrine and Covenants Section 89 does not specifically mention the words “tea,” or “coffee.” Instead, the revelation uses the phrase, “hot drinks.” Many people understandably wonder why Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as “Mormons”) view this as a reference to tea and coffee, but not also a reference to hot chocolate, hot apple cider, etc. That’s the question that David Snell digs into in this episode.
Video transcript and additional notes: https://bit.ly/3RidXI5
— Doctrine and Covenants Section 89: https://bit.ly/3wrBU6o
— “Revelations in Context: The Word of Wisdom,” by Jed Woodworth: https://bit.ly/3MGQdv6
— “Word of Wisdom” via the Encyclopedia of Mormonism: https://bit.ly/3wHsgyd
— “Word of Wisdom” via the Church’s website: https://bit.ly/3afiFpq
— “Why did Brigham Young build a whiskey distillery in Utah?” via FAIR: https://bit.ly/3Pv9m4M
— “Did Joseph Smith Obey the Word of Wisdom?” via Steven C. Harper: https://bit.ly/3G9mmJe
— “The history and implementation of the Word of Wisdom” via FAIR: https://bit.ly/3PAgIUz
— “A Historical Analysis of the Word of Wisdom,” thesis by Paul H. Peterson, 1972: https://bit.ly/3yJwc2w
— “The Word of Wisdom: Development and Practice,” via the Church’s website: https://bit.ly/3PlA3sJ
— “Scripture Roundtable: D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 22, ‘The Word of Wisdom’” via Interpreter Foundation: https://bit.ly/3yJiEEn
Notes:
— Similar to his 1871 discourse, Brigham Young also mentioned in an 1867 discourse, “Many try to excuse themselves because tea and coffee are not mentioned, arguing that it refers to hot drinks only. What did we drink hot when that Word of Wisdom was given? Tea and coffee. It definitely refers to that which we drink with our food.” Source: https://bit.ly/3LvKQxp
— During the temperance movement going on in the broader culture at the time (in the 1830s), tea and coffee were often used as substitutes for alcohol. Many temperance reformers thus looked upon tea and coffee favorably, while D&C 89 did not. For more, see “Revelations in Context: Word of Wisdom.”
— While I was researching this subject I was curious about how the wider culture in the 1830s was using the term “hot drinks.” So I did a few Google Book searches, and found that when specific examples of “hot drinks” are given, far and away the most common examples that I saw were coffee and tea. For example (links embedded on website):
“Hot drinks, as tea and coffee” 1831
“Avoid likewise the excessive use of hot drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and tea” 1833
“Coffee, tea, and other hot drinks…” 1838
“Hot drinks, especially tea and coffee…” 1838
“What is here said of hot drinks will apply with equal force, to strong tea, coffee, and spirituous liquors…” 1839
“Hot drinks, especially coffee and tea…” 1836
“Very much opposed to giving children hot drinks of any kind. If they are to drink substances which are injurious, as tea or coffee, let them be cool.” 1839
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