Is green tea against the word of wisdom?
It seems people here are trying to decide whether drinking green tea violates the WOW or not based on the definitions of the words used in the scriptures or later explanations by prophets and apostles. I believe that when the sophistication of the Lords people concerning a matter is rudimentary he spells things out explicitly i.e. Law of Moses and the WOW. He then gradually expects people to make their decisions based on principles as their knowledge and sophistication in their culture or era evolves. When ambiguity arises the prophet asks the Lord and if the ambiguity could lead people to sin or halt spiritual progression clarification is revealed. When an ambiguity has little or no such risk to the church as a whole it is left uncommented on by the Lord. I suggest that to come to a conclusion on this question anyone should consider at least the following: 1. The WOW as it is written is still in effect and rises to the level of importance as to be a temple attendance discriminator. 2.
There isn’t agreement about green tea and the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom forbids tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. However, there is much debate over what is included in “tea”. Obviously black tea is against the Word of Wisdom, but many Mormons (myself included) drink herbal teas. Iced tea contains leaves from the same plant as black tea, so it’s normally frowned upon. Green tea is also from the same plant, so many Mormons avoid it as well. If you honestly need an answer, seek advice from your bishop.
As glenn has pointed out there is nothing in the word of wisdom or other accepted revelations indicating caffiene as the cause of absination from tea and coffee – it is important to note when considering green tea that “tea” is a particular type of plant – not a type of drink. both green and black tea are made from various forms of the tea plant – the reason herbal teas are not prohibited is because they are not made from the tea plant but from other types of plants. Chammomille tea for instance is made from a flower and not from tea at all. Any drink made from any form of the tea plant would be considered “hot drink” as specified in the word of wisdom. it has never been necessary for the leaders of the church to specify “green” tea as being against the revelation because it is still tea – i.e. a drink made from one of the various forms of tea plant.
