Great Great Grandpa Joel had a powerful testimony of the meaning of the Word of Wisdom. I have read his testimony many times. In it he tells how he was present when the Word of Wisdom was given. And he expresses his Testimony of the Word\'s meaning. Granpa Joel said that Coffee and Tea were \"unwholesome herbs\", and he said many other things. 
 
Perhaps I misremember. I clearly remember the quote \"Tea and coffee are what the Lord meant when He said “hot drinks\". I don\'t remember that he ever said those were Joseph\'s words.  
 
Great Great Grandpa Joel was always very careful in quoting Joseph Smith. For example, here is a quote from his diary: 
 
\"I attended the conference held in the town of Orange in Ohio in the month of October where I first beheld the face of the Prophet and Seer, Joseph Smith. When I was introduced to him, he laid his hands upon my shoulder and said unto me, \"I suppose you think that I am a great, green, lubberly fellow.\" \" 
 
Notice, Joel carefully makes clear who was speaking and to whom. I don\'t remember any similar quotation of Joseph\'s words in Joel\'s Testimony of the Word Of Wisdom. However, my last reading of his Testimony was 18 months ago. Perhaps, I missed it.  
 
Forgive me if this upsets you. My thrust and wish is that you not rely upon my Great Great Grandfather\'s testimony, but develop your own.  
 
Too often we use our personal interpretations of the Word of Wisdom to exclude the interest of our brothers and sisters. The calling is to invite, to teach, and to lead. We have no calling to scorn, nor judge. 
 
And not frequently enough have people, even members, bothered to read and investigate the Word for themselves. Sadly, many know only their neighbor\'s, or father\'s, or mother\'s beliefs of the meaning of the Word, and fail to develop their own. In truth, often their neighbor, father, or mother themselves did not read and develop an understanding of the Word themselves, but blindly accepted still another person\'s views. 
 
For all of you who have questions about the Word of Wisdom, I invite you to read it for yourselves. Study it. Think about it. Discuss it. And when you believe you have reached a conclusion, pray about it and ask for guidance. If you have done your part to investigate the Word of Wisdom and its meaining yourself, I promise you will have an answer. 
 
I believe that the words \"hot drinks\" were used intentionally. And I believe the vagueness of the language is to reinforce the principle of the Iron Rod.  
 
For the curious, the iron rod is a feature in a dream that bears a valuable lesson on life. You can read about it in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi chapter 8, and again in chapter\'s 11 and 13. The chapters are short. It is a good story. And, as I said, it carries a valuable and lesson in clear language. 
 
The Word of Wisdom is adapted to the capacity of the weakest. But from the disagreement here, even among members and non-members alike, I am confident it is clear to all that there is no intention to command in all the details of the Word.  
 
And I am confident that when you determine to investigate the Word of Wisdom for yourselves, with an open heart, truly wanting to know the answer, whatever answer you may find, that you will learn several valuable lessons. And in the investigation, from the discord over interpretation, I hope you will discover tolerance and forgiveness, respect for those further on the path than you, and gentle, non-judgemental but firm disagreement for those who journey behind you.