A number of medical studies, including those in the last few years, show that coffee—when consumed in moderation—can be healthy for a person in the long term. Such an idea is contrary to the teachings of Mormonism.
One recent study presented at the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) reported in The New York Times has not yet been peer-reviewed or published but it
“included a large number of women who were followed for many years. It also adds a large body of evidence linking coffee to longer lives and various health advantages, including lower risks of certain chronic diseases” (The Salt Lake Tribune, “That cup of coffee may have a long-term perk,” June 4, 2025, A3).
The result of the study of 47,000 women that started in the 1970s did not surprise one professor of nutritional epidemiology at Tufts University. Fang Fang Zhang explained, “The data is quite consistent that coffee consumption is actually beneficial.” Like anything else, moderation is important, as the research shows that the health benefits plateau or even dip when more than 3-4 cups of coffee are imbibed each day.
According to the article,
“many other studies have linked drinking coffee regularly to a lower risk of early death. In a study of more than 46,000 U.S. adults published in May, Zhang and her colleagues found that those who consumed one to three cups of coffee per day were about 15% less likely to die within the next nine to 11 years than those who didn’t drink coffee. . . . Research has also suggested that people who drink coffee regularly have lower risks of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, osteoporosis and some types of cancer.”
Why coffee is healthy in this way is a “mystery” to the experts. It would seem on the surface that anything with caffeine ought to be avoided–something that Smith and the other leaders falsely assumed. Yet, according to research,
“Studies of mice have found that caffeine may improve memory and protect brain cells from damage. And human studies have found links between regular (not decaffeinated) coffee and a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease.”
An article titled “9 Reasons Why (the Right Amount of) Coffee is Good for You” from Johns Hopkins Medicine explains nine benefits of drinking coffee:
- You could live longer
- Your body may process glucose (or sugar) better
- You’re less likely to develop heart failure
- You are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease
- Your liver will thank you
- Your DNA will be stronger
- Your odds of getting colon cancer will go way down
- You may decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease
- You’re not as likely to suffer a stroke
Many other research studies done over the past years confirm these findings.
What about the Word of Wisdom?
With all of this said, we must wonder about a divine revelation that Joseph Smith said he received on February 27, 1833 in Doctrine and Covenants section 89. The so-called “Word of Wisdom” was called “a principle with a promise” (verse 3) and, famously in verse 9, reads, “And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”
While hot coffee is not, per se, directly mentioned in the command supposedly given by God, it has been interpreted to be a reference to coffee and tea by many LDS leaders. As explained by second President Brigham Young,
“The Word of Wisdom—This Word of Wisdom prohibits the use of hot drinks and tobacco. 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. JOD 13:277” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young: Second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arranged by John A. Widtsoe, 1978, 182. A copy of this book was given by the First Presidency to their church employees in 1992. Italics in original).
One’s standing in the church depends on whether or not a person drinks these hot beverages. Joseph F. Smith, the sixth president, stated,
“But says one, ‘If I am offered a cup of tea or a cup of coffee I cannot refuse it.’ Then, according to the word of the Lord, you are too weak to be a Latter-day Saint” (Joseph F. Smith, Conference Reports, April 1880, 36).
Doing so has caused people to apostatize, according to seventh President Heber J. Grant:
“THE ROAD TO APOSTASY. I have seen men in high places start in by drinking tea and coffee, saying, ‘That doesn’t amount to anything,’ then next using liquor, then next finding fault with the authorities of the Church, and the first think I knew they left the Church. But I have never known a person, man or woman, who attended his meetings, and partook of the spirit and inspiration that are present in the meetings of true, faithful Latter-day Saints, who has ever apostatized.—CS, April 10, 1937:1” (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Heber J. Grant, compiled by Dr. G. Homer Durham, 1943, 42. In 1994, a special copy of the book was given by the First Presidency as a Christmas gift to employees of the church. Caps in original).
Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith claimed one’s salvation in the celestial kingdom could be at stake by even drinking even one cup:
“SALVATION AND A CUP OF TEA. You cannot neglect little things. ‘Oh, a cup of tea is such a little thing. It is so little; surely it doesn’t amount to much; surely the Lord will forgive me if I drink a cup of tea.’ Yes, he will forgive you, because he is going to forgive every man who repents; but, my brethren, if you drink coffee or tea, or take tobacco, are you letting a cup of tea or a little tobacco stand in the road and bar you from the celestial kingdom of God, where you might otherwise have received a fulness of glory?” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1955, 2:16. Caps in original).
For supposedly being a prophetic organization being led by Almighty God, the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are simply not telling people the truth, as reported in a church manual:
“Church leaders have said that this means coffee and tea, which contain harmful substances. We should avoid all drinks that contain harmful substances” (Gospel Principles, 2009, 169).
Conclusion
While many Latter-day Saints may want to feel assured that their church’s founder and succeeding leaders are divinely inspired to prohibit hot drinks, the medical evidence proves to the contrary. When coffee is consumed moderately (3-4 cups per day), it is healthier to imbibethan not to drink it at all. If Joseph Smith did not get this revelation from D&C 89 correct, supposedly given to him by God, what else could he have missed?
Tell you what, go get a refill of that cup of Joe (ironically named!) and stay healthy.