Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know whether food insecurity was an influence here. Food security is actually recent and not even widespread. Western society, developed nations, have resources unknown through history and still unknown in many parts of the world. We have a wide assortment of plant foods that are imported, and even provided out of season. We have nutritional knowledge giving us information on how to use plant foods to help us gain nutrition (especially proteins) that are naturally provided by meat, eggs, and milk. Unless you live in a temperate place with a wide variety of crops all year (California?) imported plant foods and knowledge are actually necessary to be a well-nourished vegetarian, and some who try vegetarianism are still unable to make it a success, even with these advantages. We can take comfort in the fact that it will be the way of life for all during the millennial reign of Christ.

We drink herbal tea, Beth. I hope you are doing well health-wise now. Have you heard of the Word of Wisdom? It may help you out. Would you like to receive a copy of The Book of Mormon?

No, it is not true. Mormons participate in modern medicine and will receive transplants if necessary.

The revelation given from God to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and “hot drinks” was given because of “conspiring men in the last days.” I’m sure you can appreciate that due to unscrupulous businesses and businessmen, we are sold all sorts of products that are harmful to us. In like manner, the Lord told the Israelites through Moses that they should not buy wine from their enemies. The Lord is the same, yesterday, today, and always. He gives pertinent counsel through His prophets to fill the immediate needs of His children.

We don’t drink black or green teas, but herbal teas, like mint, lemon grass, and chamomile are OK. When Joseph Smith received the revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 89) called “The Word of Wisdom,” the Lord told us not to drink “hot drinks,” which was defined later as coffee and tea. Nothing about caffeine was known at the time, and we still don’t know if that’s the one substance in these drinks that the Lord objects to. So, a few Mormons will drink decaffeinated coffee (we follow our own conscience on the matter), but most don’t. We avoid substances that are habit-forming to guarantee the health of our bodies and freedom from being bound to addictions. This includes recreational drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs, as well as alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea. Thanks for asking.

Nope. Marijuana is destructive and addictive. It doesn’t fall into the category of a “wholesome herb.”