I wrote this post to help a roommate better understand a priesthood-worthiness conundrum regarding the Word of Wisdom ( D&C 89:4-21 ). He felt the Church's position on abstaining from drinking coffee was hypocritical when sugary sodas and "energy" drinks are just as unhealthy, yet permitted by the Church. It was especially confusing for him to hear that, back in the day, plenty of faithful Latter-Day Saints "got away" with drinking a little alcohol, coffee, and/or tea and were still deemed worthy to hold the higher priesthood and temple recommends. Many problems which members encounter often stem from the mistaken belief that what they have been told my someone in the Church is somehow the Church position, expectation, or official stance. In fact, the error may be in what others have presumed to be the Church's official position. On many issues, the Church has no official position. So regarding specific applications of teachings found within the Chur...
Self growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no higher investment.