The LDS WOW: Not by Commandment To Commandment

The Word of Wisdom was first given not by commandment or restraint. It was given by Wisdom. Men are asked to align their hearts with Wisdom. It is only when Knowledge is exercised with wisdom that the gospel may be exercised properly. Wisdom always invites not by restraint or commandment. As D&C 121 verse 41 says,

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

No influence. No Power. The priesthood cannot be used to bring influence or power upon others. Influence must come by the only tools available which are first Persuasion. If someone is not persuaded than long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, love, and finally using pure knowledge. If a person does use their power or virtue of the priesthood contrary to any of this or as a reason they should be followed, amen to the authority of that man.

The Lord works by invitations or persusasion. He gentle leads us along. That is why the WoW was given not by commandment or restraint. He merely gave pure knowledge and allowed us to be persuaded if we are willing.


LDS WOW:
The LDS WoW as it stands today is interesting.

The church really had no basis for banning coffee other than the prophet said so. It is issues like this that I think make people wonder about FTP (follow the prophet) when they stop to think about it.

A few points:

• Coffee was part of the rations of the handcart pioneers along with Wine.
• Most conference talks in the mid-1800s dealt with temperature and also warned against hot soups, coffee was not singled out. 
• Area Presidencies in Europe and even some in the US have been telling members for decades they can drink coffee and pass a temple recommend interview as long as it is decaf (still the official position). 
• Church announced it has no position on caffeinated beverages (The whole Dieter Coke issue)
• Monster drinks and five-hour energy okay
• Hot drinks means coffee and tea but hot chocolate is fine
• Green tea okay (but to others its bad), black tea bad, herbal tea okay, sweet tea bad, British tea bad, iced tea bad, so how do you know what tea is okay and what is not? As a missionary some even taugh it was ONLY black tea because that was the only tea around during Josephs day. (May or may not be true)
• Research shows coffee may be good for you, but really hot drinks (temperature) are bad
• Research shows a cup of wine may be good for you, but things like energy drinks are not good at all.
• If the members church wanted to, members in Europe could take their decaf coffee and mix it with 5-hour energy and be good. 
• No alcohol yet the Lord prescribed wine for the sacrament as a symbol of the bitter cup he partook.

Obedience to more modern prophets is the only reason for this policy, it fails all tests of logic of man. As those who went before were not required to follow the same standards of salvation.