[John Taylor]
You state in your letter of the 24th that you understand from the teaching of the brethren of the apostles, that such as do not fully keep the Word of Wisdom, should not be recommended for ordinances to the temple; and you ask whether such persons shall be excluded from the House of the Lord. ... no rule has been formulated, nor law proclaimed, nor counsel given since that time which makes its strict observance, necessary to receive ordinances of life and salvation in the temples. There are many cases where people may violate the strict letter of the Word of Wisdom, and yet be following its spirit in doing so. To say that aged people who have been accustomed to the use of tea and coffee in early life, and who feel that in their old age they need beverages of this character, shall not receive the blessings of the House of the Lord, is going beyond that which we think proper. ... No person who flagrantly violates that word should ask for a recommend[.]
[John Taylor to John D. T. McAllister and David H. Cannon, Nov. 30, 1886, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
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