Word of Wisdom Commentary

“Tea in Joseph Smith’s day was black tea. Now that the Church is world-wide in scope and the Word of Wisdom is an eternal principle of ‘obedience’, I would assume each culture would literally have its ‘tea’ or ‘Temple Recommend’ worthy point. As I learned this morning, in Japan it is clearly understood to be green tea, oolong, chai and coffee. If you have any more understanding on the South American Saints and their ‘Yerba’, it would be helpful in my research.” (Brenda)

Thanks for writing, Brenda.

Actually, tea in Joseph Smith’s time is exactly what tea is in our time, drinks made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea is not defined by the LDS Church; its definition has been around for hundreds of years. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea

The Word of Wisdom is not an eternal principle. It was never practiced in the Book of Mormon or the Bible peoples, and when it was issued in 1833, it was not issued as a commandment.

Considering that yerba maté is not alcoholic and does not come from tobacco, coffee, or the tea plant, I do not see why it would be considered in violation of the Word of Wisdom, or any strict interpretation of it. Based on my understanding of the drink, I do not see how it would be any different than peppermint or chamomile tea.

I hope this addresses your questions.

“I’ve been offered a job at a MLM company that makes vitamin supplement-type drinks especially for people in Japan.  My concern was that I noticed that in one of the products, they have coffee extracts and green tea extract.  Do you know if the extracts are bad like normal tea and coffee?” (Richard)

The only statement I have seen is that hot drinks refers to tea and coffee. I have not read anywhere whether they have to be in drink form or not.

“You mentioned that tea might only be in drink form, that we need to avoid the tea plant. If one takes green tea in pill form they are not only getting the exact same thing into the body but also the caffeine, which is ‘addictive’.” (Lindsay)

As I said before, the Lord has not revealed that any one substance in teas is the reason for the prohibition.

One interpretation of “hot drinks” is that “drinks” is literal and refers only to those substances when one drinks them. That may be an incorrect interpretation, but it is one possible interpretation.

“It is to my understanding from other answered questions on your site, that green tea is a form of tea unacceptable to the word of wisdom. Even though it is from the common tea plant, it is not fermented, or blackened. Would this make a difference?” (Christina)

I am not aware of any statement that specifies whether the type of processing used in making tea affects whether it is against the Word of Wisdom. The only statements I have seen say “hot drinks” refer simply to coffee and tree. I assume by this that it is an all-encompassing definition.

“I am an active YSA, 22 years of age having being diagnosed with a PCOS for 5 years now, and it affects my weight and fertility. A nutritionist recommended I drink green tea. I have asked several church representatives and have been given several answers, so am slightly confused as to if it is ok or no.” (Tamara)

Generally speaking, green tea — as is any tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant — is against the word of wisdom. Whether you drink it or not for a medical condition is a personal decision, in my opinion, for you to make. If you make a decision to drink it, you should consult your leaders to make sure it would not jeapordise your temple recommend.

It is highly likely you won’t need any specific product. My wife, for example, has had PCOS for over 20 years. She managed to lose over 100 lbs without a single product and we have three children (over 12 years mind you). All she used was nutrition and exercise.

“There is a new dietary supplement out called the CoffeeBerry. It is made out of the whole fruit, I believe including the coffee bean. What is your take on that?” (Rhett)

The Word of Wisdom specifically mentions hot drinks, or coffee and tea. It does not list specific ingredients in those drinks. A literal interpretation of the Word of Wisdom would include a drink made from coffee beans. Anything beyond that would require a looser interpretation.

“You mentioned oolong tea as a “bad” tea. This type of tea is fast becomming known for its many medicinal qualities, containing high amounts of anti-oxidants and helping maintain healthy insulin levels in the blood. Is oolong tea really a “bad” tea, or just an oversight?” (Scott)

I don’t believe the Word of Wisdom states oolong tea (or tea in general) is bad, or rather unhealthy. In fact, all it does say regarding the matter is that “hot drinks are not for the body or belly”. Some may interpret that to mean tea is bad or unhealthy, but that is simply one interpretation.

All the Lord said was that it is not for our body or belly. He wasn’t more elaborate than that. He has simply told us not to put it in our body or belly, not the reason why we are not to.

Oolong tea may very well be healthy, but that’s irrelevant given that the Lord doesn’t seem to have said the reason to avoid it was because it was unhealthy.

“I have always been told that green tea is herbal and not against the word of wisdom. I have told people this is not the type of tea that is meant in the Word of Wisdom. I was questioned a few times from some member friends that weren’t sure I was informed correctly so I began to do research on the internet. Please tell me what you know and from what source.” (Rob)

As I mentioned, President Young stated the following:

“I have heard it argued that tea and coffee are not mentioned therein;
that is very true; but what were the people in the habit of taking as
hot drinks when that revelation was given? Tea and coffee. We were not
in the habit of drinking water very hot, but tea and coffee—the
beverages in common use” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 182).

Tea as it is was consumed in the days of the early Saints, as it is
today, was an infusion of the leaves, buds and internodes of the tea
plant (Camellia sinensis). Teas derived from this plant include black
tea, green tea, oolong tea, congou tea, pekoe tea, orange pekoe tea
and souchong tea. They are available under numerous brand and product
names.

There is no other tea Brigham Young could have been referring to. See
here for more information on what is meant by tea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea