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Gospel Living

Need to say “no thanks”?

4 Jul 2022 | 1 min read
Tea Cup
Here’s how you can follow Kate’s example.

Have you ever been offered tea or coffee and needed to say “no”?

Twelve-year-old Kate had this experience at school. Her class was learning about a historical event involving tea. So their teacher threw a tea party.

“My stomach dropped,” Kate said. “When they put a cup on my desk, I froze. Everyone started drinking their tea while I sat and thought.”

What would you do? The Word of Wisdom tells us to avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, and black or green teas. (Other herbal teas are OK.)

Kate was brave and got rid of the tea!

“I knew I would’ve been disappointed in myself if I drank it,” she said. “I know Heavenly Father is proud of me too.”

Here are a handful of polite ways to turn down a drink:

  • “Can I please have some water instead?”
  • “I don’t drink coffee. But if you have some hot chocolate, I’d love some of that!”
  • “Sure, I’d love to come to your tea party! Is it OK if I bring some herbal tea that I like to drink?”
  • “No thanks. I don’t drink.”

What other ideas can you come up with for saying “no” with kindness?

Try a Role Play

Try a “role play” where someone offers you a drink and you say no. Then switch roles. The more you practice, the easier it’ll be when it happens in real life!

Note: For more about the Word of Wisdom, check out this Gospel Topics essay.

4 Jul 2022 | 1 min read

Comments

2
Tiffany J.
13 Apr 2023
Very appreciative of this message as this EXACT SAME SITUATION happened to my 4th grader this week. It's especially hard when teachers get so excited for the event and you feel like you throw a curve ball at them. It's hard enough being a teacher, and nobody wants to be a "high maintenance student" or "impossible parent"; however, I used this as an opportunity to share my religious identity with my student's teacher and help the teacher understand our commitments to our faith. I feel all teachers value commitment by a student to be the unique person they choose to be. The conversation went well, and I encourage families to pray for courage and guidance as they navigate the little trials of mortality.
Denis r.
5 Jul 2022
I can Imagine how Kate must feel, Being placed in a situation which feels uncomfortable for her. The Doctrine & Covenants advises against such Hot drinks, I wonder the blessings someone might miss out on from such Hot drinks. I believe that could effect temple worthiness along with other circumstances for consideration. I know lately I’ve found myself with a taste for strawberries, and the strawberry lemonade seemed quite appealing. Maybe I’m off Topic here but a member of my family went to Sonic recently and I was interested in a watermelon slush. She returned with a Mango Slush instead. Turns out they were fresh out of Watermelon. In Hindsight the Mango was a much better option. I’m making effort in my life to better myself each day. Whether that’s avoiding something the Lord has been Kind enough to Warn me Against, or clinching my hands together, humbling myself before the Lord, maybe while kneeling in prayer requesting help. Consider the Iron Rod, that straight and narrow path which leads to the Tree of Life. Even a slight deviation can throw someone off course, and what might seem as just a tasteful treat could lead to forbidden paths. I’m filled with gratitude unto the Lord for His mercy and frequent reminders of the seriousness of something even as simple as tea.

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