Reddit mentions of Inka Instant Grain Coffee Drink (200g)

I joined the church decades ago when 20 years old. This involved quitting smoking, drinking, coffee, tea, sex, etc. Later served a mission, married in the temple, served as a bishop, etc. - and have had all the same questions. Here's my $.02

Word of Wisdom (no coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, harmful drugs)
This is not a moral imperative. Drinking iced tea does not make you a bad person. While there are positive health effects for abstaining from these, that's not the point. The Word of Wisdom was given to Joseph Smith, "not by commandment or constraint", but was formally adopted by the church as a standard for worthiness at a time in its early Utah history when it was trying to differentiate its members from the influence of others flocking West during the Gold Rush. To me, the real reason for it is two-fold.

1) Heavenly Father has given you the gift of a body, and its the only one you'll have in this life. The code recorded in Section 89 of the D&C is advice from Him to His children on how to care for their bodies. Generally, the long-term deleterious impacts of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cocaine, Pot, and to some degree coffee and tea are far more pronounced than the enjoyment they provide, so you're better off without them. I don't think anyone who is being honest would argue otherwise. The leadership of the church decided to make it a token of a member in good standing and hasn't seen fit to change that, so there we go. Personally, I've seen entire families destroyed by drugs and alcohol, and can't help but think how much misery and pain people have been spared by not taking that first drink, due to their obedience. So on that front I call it a good idea - much as I miss a shot of brandy in my mulled cider at Christmas.

2) Obedience. I loved tea. My mom was from England and I grew up drinking hot tea with everything. I loved iced tea. I miss it. I've never heard of tea harming anyone. I'm pretty sure drinking tea does not jeopardize your immortal soul. However, when I was baptized, I entered into a covenant with the Lord that I would obey His commandments, which include the standards set forth by His living prophet, which currently includes a prohobition on tea, so in the spirit of obedience, I haven't had tea in 30 years. I like to think we will have tea, coffee and other great stuff in the Celestial Kingdom and it will be just fine. But that's just me - not doctrine.

You are not a terrible person. You just miss a few wonderful things that you were required to sacrifice upon the altar of obedience, in answer to the Lord's call "Come follow me." And between you and me, if President Nelson came out and said there's nothing wrong with having a beer once in a while, I'd be having one tonight.

Now, I really miss coffee, because once you get a taste for it, there's really nothing else that compliments a piece of cheesecake quite like it. However, there are a couple options that are 100% Word of Wisdom compatible and come pretty close. Inka and Pero. (linked below)

Inka Instant Grain 'Coffee' Drink
Pero Instant Natural Beverage

My wife who is a lifetime member thinks they both smell and taste awful, but she'd never acquired a taste for coffee. I however keep both in my pantry and enjoy them immensely - both as a hot drink and as an iced beverage (think faux frappuchino). Try them out.

One more thing - the Word of Wisdom doesn't stop at the things to avoid, but has some wise words that tend to get ignored by a lot of members, who would do well to observe:

>And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

>Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

>Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

>And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

>All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

>And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

>All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

Based on this, if I were of a mind to, I'd assert that the Lord here is strongly encouraging a vegetarian diet, except only "in times of winter, or of cold, or famine." Saying, "It is pleasing unto me that they should not be used."

Truly, if a Latter Day Saint were to fully honor the Word of Wisdom, they would rarely eat meat, be careful about their weight, and exercise to take care of their body - so they might "run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint".

So - Congratulations on your new membership. I can testify to you that it is a good decision, that will help you make the very most of your life - if you do your best to magnify it. However, I also empathize with you on some of the things you've been obliged to give up. It is a sacrifice for sure. However, because it is a hard thing, it is an especial sacrifice that you make to the Lord - that you are willing to deny yourself something you've loved, only because His servants have asked it. And I think that matters most of all.

Best wishes.