The short answer: Why can’t Mormons drink coffee? It comes down to the Word of Wisdom, a health code in their scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 89) that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follow as a matter of faith. Church leaders have long clarified that “hot drinks” in that revelation means coffee and tea. It’s a matter of faith and obedience — not caffeine, which the Church has said isn’t banned. As with any faith, individual practice varies.
What Is the Word of Wisdom?
The Word of Wisdom is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89, dating to 1833. It counsels members on food and drink: eat wholesome foods, and avoid alcohol, tobacco, and “hot drinks.” Over the years, prophets and apostles have clarified that “hot drinks” refers to coffee and tea — drinks made from coffee beans and tea leaves.
For practicing members, following it is part of living their faith. It’s even one of the questions asked in temple recommend interviews, which are required for temple worship. So this isn’t a casual preference — it’s a genuine religious commitment.
Why Coffee, but Hot Chocolate Is Fine?
This trips up a lot of people, and fair enough — both are hot and comforting. But the distinction was never about temperature. It’s about the specific drinks the revelation addresses, as clarified by Church leaders: coffee and tea.
Hot chocolate comes from cocoa, not coffee beans or tea leaves, so it’s never been included. That’s why you’ll find plenty of Latter-day Saints happily drinking cocoa, especially in the colder months.
What About Tea?
Traditional tea — black, green, white, oolong — comes from tea leaves, so it sits in the same category as coffee: discouraged. Herbal teas are a different story. They’re made from herbs, flowers, or fruit rather than tea leaves, so most members drink them without a second thought. And iced tea brewed from actual tea leaves is still tea, just served cold.
Is It About Caffeine?
No — and this is the most common misunderstanding. The Church has clarified that it does not prohibit caffeine itself. That’s why caffeinated sodas like Coke are a matter of personal judgment rather than a rule: plenty of members drink them, some choose not to, and neither choice violates anything.
Coffee is avoided because it’s coffee — one of the specific drinks named in the Word of Wisdom — not because of what’s in it.
What About Decaf or Iced Coffee?
Still coffee. Decaf comes from coffee beans, and iced coffee is just coffee served cold, so observant members avoid both. The guidance covers the drink itself, not its temperature or caffeine level.
What About Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks didn’t exist when the Word of Wisdom was written, so there’s no specific rule covering them. The Church counsels members to be wise and moderate and to use their own judgment. Some members skip them over the high caffeine and sugar; others don’t see a problem. It’s genuinely a personal call.
What Do Members Drink Instead?
Plenty of things: water (plain, flavored, or sparkling), fruit juices and smoothies, milk and plant-based milks, hot chocolate and cocoa, and herbal teas. Nobody’s going thirsty.
Do All Members Follow This?
Most practicing members do — it’s a well-known part of the faith, tied to church participation and temple worship. But like any religion, individual observance varies. Some people raised in the faith are less active and make their own choices. The respectful move is to take each person’s practice at face value instead of assuming.
Quick Comparison
| Drink | Generally avoided? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee (hot, iced, or decaf) | Yes | Named in the Word of Wisdom (“hot drinks”) |
| Black / green / white tea | Yes | Made from tea leaves — same category |
| Herbal tea | No | No tea leaves involved |
| Hot chocolate / cocoa | No | Made from cocoa, not coffee or tea |
| Caffeinated soda | Personal choice | Caffeine itself isn’t banned |
| Energy drinks | Personal choice | No specific rule; moderation counseled |
| Alcohol | Yes | Explicitly discouraged in the Word of Wisdom |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Word of Wisdom actually say about coffee?
It counsels against “hot drinks” (Doctrine and Covenants 89), which Church leaders have clarified means coffee and tea. Members generally describe following it as a matter of faith and obedience rather than a health claim about coffee itself.
Is the rule about caffeine?
No. The Church has stated it doesn’t prohibit caffeine. That’s exactly why the rule covers coffee and tea specifically while caffeinated sodas are left to personal judgment.
Can Mormons drink green tea?
Green tea comes from tea leaves, so practicing members avoid it along with black, white, and oolong tea. Herbal teas like peppermint, chamomile, or fruit infusions are fine — they contain no tea leaves.
Can Mormons drink decaf coffee?
Decaf is still coffee — it’s made from coffee beans — so observant members avoid it too. The guidance covers the drink itself, not its caffeine content.
Why can Mormons drink Coke but not coffee?
Because the restriction was never about caffeine. “Hot drinks” in the Word of Wisdom has been interpreted as coffee and tea specifically. Soda falls in neither category, so it’s a personal choice.
Do Mormons avoid coffee for health reasons?
Health is part of the broader Word of Wisdom, but members themselves usually frame avoiding coffee as faith and obedience — a way of living their beliefs — rather than a verdict on coffee’s health effects.
The Bottom Line
People asking “why can’t Mormons drink coffee?” are usually expecting a health lecture. The real answer is simpler and more personal: it’s a religious commitment. The Word of Wisdom names coffee (and tea) as drinks to avoid, and for practicing Latter-day Saints, honoring that guidance is part of honoring their faith. Once you see it that way, the whole thing is a lot less mysterious — and a lot easier to respect.
Related guides: The 15 Most Popular Coffee Drinks in the World · The Complete Guide to Types of Coffee Drinks · What Religions Do Not Drink Coffee?
