|
DIRECTORY
Home
General LDS Information
Basic LDS Beliefs
LDS Videos
Critics' Questions
Submitted Questions
Scriptures/LDS Literature
Genealogy/Family
LDS Temples
Missionary
Music and Arts
LDS Online Stores
Priesthood, Humor, Miscel.
Site Map
Suggest a Site
Now accepting banner ads!
|
|
JOHN - Any scripture verse or a Prophets talk about not drinking Nestea Ice Tea or Energy Drinks?
JOEL -
A lot of things related to our health code, called the "Word of Wisdom"(D&C 89), are left to the judgment of the individual. In order to remain in good standing with the church and be allowed access to our temples, we have been specifically told that we should avoid alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, hot coffee, and hot black tea; the harmful ingredient in coffee and tea being the caffeine(among a few other things), as well as the addictive nature of these things. Other than these, judgment is left to us as to what else we might abstain from.
We have been advised by our leaders to not drink anything containing harmful drugs, in a way that would result in a habitual use of the drug (1972 letter from First Presidency). Church members follow this advice according to their own conscience and personal level of obedience. The overall principle to keep in mind is to remember that our bodies are the temples for our spirits and that no unclean thing should enter.(1 Cor 3:16-17)
No Prophets have specifically declared ice tea or energy drinks as being against the Word of Wisdom in any addresses that I know of. However, in my opinion ice tea is the same as regular tea, except that it's cold instead of hot so I don't drink it. and one can become addicted to energy drinks, so I don't drink them either. See these links,
Energy Drinks: The Lift That Lets You Down
The Energy Drink Epidemic
The prophets do warn us of the addictive nature of these things:
President James E. Faust:
“Some addictions can control us to the point where they take away our God-given agency. One of Satan’s great tools is to find ways to control us. Consequently, we should abstain from anything that would keep us from fulfilling the Lord’s purposes for us, whereby the blessings of eternity may hang in jeopardy. … Any kind of addiction inflicts a terrible price in pain and suffering, and it can even affect us spiritually.” (James E. Faust, “The Power to Change,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 123–24).
President Boyd K. Packer said:
“The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ (D&C 89:3). … A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. … We teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation. … Obedience to counsel will keep you on the safe side of life” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 17–18).
So with things like ice tea and energy drinks (or any other caffeinated drinks) we have to recognize whether or not we are addicted to them to if know we are not in line with the Word of Wisdom. But by the time we figure that out it is often too late. To be safe I don't drink any of them. But that's my choice.
|
|
|
