Honor Code

Abstain From Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Substance Abuse

"The Word of Wisdom is a covenant, conformity to which assures both strength of body and a special spiritual endowment" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 167). President Stephen L. Richards, a counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, noted that: "The Word of Wisdom is spiritual. It is true that it prohibits the use of deleterious substances and makes provision for the health of the body. But the largest measure of good derived from its observance is in increased faith and the development of more spiritual power and wisdom. Likewise, the most regrettable and damaging effects of its infractions are spiritual. Injury to the body may be comparatively trivial to the damage to the soul in the destruction of faith and the retardation of spiritual growth" (Conference Report, April 1949, p. 141).

Abstain From Alcoholic Beverages

• Any consumption of alcohol, in any form, is a breach of the Honor Code. The following are examples of serious noncompliant behavior related to alcohol use:
  • Being present where alcohol is being consumed by others
  • Personal consumption of alcohol socially or as a consequence of alcoholism
  • Furnishing alcohol to others
  • Having alcohol in one's apartment
• Honor Code Office courses of action are influenced by the level of use or involvement, the extent to which the behavior is known by others, and the willingness of the students to change.

Substance Abuse

• Board policy requires dismissal on the first offense of drug use, except when the only contact with a drug is limited and where the student confesses and initiates repentance before disciplinary action is begun.
• Abusing substances other than illicit drugs is likewise not permitted at BYU. We want to avoid anything like a drug culture in our campus environment.

Abstain From Tea, Coffee, and Tobacco

Personal interpretations which go beyond this mark are not part of this policy.