Mormons and chocolate

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Matrix_Refugee

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No, this is not a gag question.

My mother and I were having a discussion about Mormon dietary rules: ie. no coffee or tea, unless it’s decaffeinated. So of course, being the chocolate lover that I am, I asked, “Okay, what about chocolate? That’s got caffeine in it.” She wasn’t sure about that one, so I thought I’d ask if any of our Mormon brethren on here could enlighten us??
 
As I understand the prohibition is against “hot drinks”…at least according to the Word of Wisdom, Sec 89 D&C…it has been interpreted to include coffee and tea…
 
I know I could never be Mormon if it outlawed chocolate! I love my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!
 
Matrix_Refugee said:
No, this is not a gag question.

My mother and I were having a discussion about Mormon dietary rules: ie. no coffee or tea, unless it’s decaffeinated. So of course, being the chocolate lover that I am, I asked, “Okay, what about chocolate? That’s got caffeine in it.” She wasn’t sure about that one, so I thought I’d ask if any of our Mormon brethren on here could enlighten us??
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It has nothing to do with whether or not caffeine is present. The Word of Wisdom uses the term “hot drinks” which their leadership defines as coffee and tea (but not herbal teas)

Some Mormons to take it a step further and wont drink caffeineated colas etc, but drinking them wont keep you from getting a temple recommend

Drinking coffee and/or tea however, will.
 
When I was LDS, I was told we could not drink coke and other caffeine drinks. Chocolate was never outlawed.

Funny thing, alcohol was forbidden, but Joseph Smith’s Inn sold alcohol…go figure
 
Great answer, probably better than I would have put it overall.
Ys, scripture states “hot drinks” - but has been further clarified that this means only teas and coffees, although herbal infusions are acceptable. We also teach against allowing ourselves to become enslaved to any substance - whether it be tea or coffee, caffeine, nicoteine, heroin, alcohol etc.etc.etc. Any of these things reduce our ability to make clear reasoned choices. So while there is no specific teaching against Cola, Pepsi, energy drinks etc., a member who feels they cannot function correctly without it (and I do know some) would still really be breaking the Word of Wisdom.
I personally avoid cola, Pepsi and energy drinks because of the high caffeine content; and particularly the ease with which large amounts can be consumed. I have had close experience (a non-LDS ex-girlfriend) of the dangers of overuse of caffeine, even when it has not taken hold as a dependence.
Both with caffeine and with alcohol, I am particularly glad that the doctrines meant I abstained from these substances while I was an immature youth (as opposed to the immature adult I am now :D), because had I started I fear I would have had great difficulty in stopping and would likely have caused myself severe harm. I am las it gave me the reason not to begin, so that now i can make the choice, regardless of the doctrine, to continue abstaining of my own free will, seeing the dangers it would pose for me.
 
TexanKnight said:
When I was LDS, I was told we could not drink coke and other caffeine drinks. Chocolate was never outlawed.

Funny thing, alcohol was forbidden, but Joseph Smith’s Inn sold alcohol…go figure
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And wasn’t he drinking alcohol the night he was murdered?
 
Am I the only one that finds it rather ironic that LDS are totally obsessed with the notion that nothing should ever interfere with any man’s ‘free agency’, yet they have absolutely no qualms about following a list of foods and drinks that they must completely avoid, or they’ll lose their ‘temple recommend’?

It reminds me of the Jewish dietary restrictions, cleanliness laws and other practices that Jesus upbraided the Jews for following so vehemently, when they were complaining about Him and His Disciples breaking some of those laws (healing on the Sabbath, picking corn to eat on the Sabbath, not washing their hands to eat, etc.). "[Matthew 15:11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. "
 
Wow, lots of really great responses: thanks for all the information! This really helped!
 
RebeccaJ said:
Barring indiviual health issues that would cause avoiding caffeine to be a prudent decision…what is harmful about it? And why not avoid chocolate if you are avoiding caffeine? BTW, caffeine doesn’t effect the ability to make reasoned choices. Why do you think it does?

foodinsight.org/Resources/Detail.aspx?topic=Fact_Sheet_Caffeine_and_Performance
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While the initial effects may be those stated in the article , it is far too easy to overuse and almost impossible to tell at what point overuse may occur for any particular individual. I used to do lots of hours at work: generally between 60-80 a week, and still retaining Sundays off for worship. My girlfriend at the time worked in the sane holiday park, and seemed to take my long hours as some sort of personal challenge to outdo me. She started using a mixture of coffee, high caffeine energy drinks and caffeine tablets in her attempt not to feel fatigued during long hours. Because the caffeine is very effective at masking the signs of tiredness, she managed a lot of hours for a couple of weeks; but because all the caffeine does is mask the effects, not deal with the cause, her body eventually gave up and she collapsed in the kitchen with exhaustion and had to be signed off work for a couple of weeks.
On top of the above, caffeine is addictive and therefore it makes us dependent on it; many people feel like they cannot function correctly without a tea, coffee, cola etc. and I know many non-LDS who agree this is true. Thus the drug has affected our ability to choose as we feel that we cannot choose not to have it.
 
I personally do not drink alcohol or caffeine (sans rare chocolate) as I used to abuse the two substances. I can see why Mormon’s choose not to use either. My friends say I’m a hyper guy off of caffeine and couldn’t imagine me back on it. lol. I can tell you guys from experience that life without caffeine is soooo much better (also without alcohol, sans Eucharist).
 
Is there a definitive rule? I ask because I will have some LDS guests soon and I do not want to serve something that would make them uncomfortable. Some LDS colleagues I had in the past drank colas. Is it awkward to offer those? I also keep wrapped chocolate candy pieces in a bowl in the family room. It’s hard to see how that would be an issue. The reading I have done only mentions hot drinks.
 
Georgia said:
Is there a definitive rule? I ask because I will have some LDS guests soon and I do not want to serve something that would make them uncomfortable. Some LDS colleagues I had in the past drank colas. Is it awkward to offer those? I also keep wrapped chocolate candy pieces in a bowl in the family room. It’s hard to see how that would be an issue. The reading I have done only mentions hot drinks.
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I don’t think it’s a rule, per se to have a soda here or there. I just think that abusing caffeine and such is.
 
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