LORNA - In the January 5, 2003 issue of The Seattle Times is a very interesting study about coffee drinking. The most dramatic conclusion was that for women, especially, drinking four or more cups a day definitely improved memory, so that by age 80, females with a sturdy history of drinking coffee outperformed ALL OTHERS in ll out of l2 memory tests. There is also evidence caffeine protects against gallstones, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. So while pregnant women should definitely AVOID coffee, the study shows it is of considerable benefit in protecting against Alzheimer's, only for women.
So the question is: given that the law concerning 'hot drinks' was given a very long time ago, why would the church ignore scientific findings about the benefits of not only coffee drinking, but some of the teas, as well?

JOEL - The church does not ignore scientific findings. They are simply following the counsel and command of God which will always take precedence over the wisdom of man. If we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom God promises us, "(they) shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. (D&C 89:18-20)

With a promise like this why would we need to take chances drinking coffee and tea to improve our health? Haven't you noticed how the scientific community seems to change their minds about how things affect our health over the years? A few years from now they could find that drinking coffee increases the risk of Alzheimers in some people. And there are other scientific findings that suggest detrimental effects to our health (indigestion, liver and kidney dammage, high blood pressure, decreased levels of calcium and iron leading to energy loss, etc.).
Our scriptures tell us:
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.(D&C 130:21)
And:
"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10)
The bottom line is that God is obligated to bless us when we obey His laws.

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