Why don't Mormons smoke or drink?

The prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from God known as the Word of Wisdom. It was basically some guidelines for keeping our bodies healthy. What happens when your lifestyle involves smoking and eating junk food all day? You not only put yourself at higher risk for lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious medical issues, but you also won't function at your best from day to day. You're more likely to be crabby and ill-disposed to pray or make other good choices. And how about that hangover? I'm pretty sure it's hard to look and feel your best during a hangover.

The Word of Wisdom is just what it implies: a revelation containing some sensible guidelines for our health. 

It teaches that we should exercise, eat healthy foods, and go to bed and wake up early. It also warns us that we shouldn't use or consume harmful substances, specifically coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol. (We can still use alcohol and tobacco for cuts and bruises or other skin injuries though.)

God promises us that if we live by the Word of Wisdom, we will find "treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures" and that we will "run and not be weary, walk and not faint." 

Interpretation issues:

Caffeine

There is nothing about caffeine in the Word of Wisdom. People may consume it if they wish to. Some people have supposed that the reason why coffee and tea are discouraged is because of caffeine, but that's just a matter of opinion. Yes, caffeine can be an addictive substance and therefore probably isn't very good for you. It would probably be wiser not to give yourself the chance to get addicted to it. But it would also be good to never try chocolate for that reason. I guess you just have to choose your battles.

Meat

The Word of Wisdom says to "eat meat sparingly." Most Mormons nowadays eat meat all the time, maybe because the revelation was received at a time when refrigeration was really poor and people got sick all the time from eating meat, but who knows. Some Mormons have taken a vegetarian or vegan interpretation of the revelation. When it comes down to it, the way you interpret and apply it to your life should be between you and the Lord. You should decide for yourself what you think it means and then ask God if your interpretation is correct. 

Mormons tend to have big families because...

Who is Thomas S. Monson?

Mormons believe that Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today. He is the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One fundamental Mormon belief is that God still talks to us today through living prophets. These are the last days that the Bible talks about, and God wants to give us all the help he can to live through them joyfully and to get ready for when he comes again. A modern-day prophet can give us counsel on specific modern topics, such as how to use technology wisely, that might be more difficult to glean from the scriptures. That's why God has given us modern-day prophets.

Joseph Smith was the first modern prophet, and Thomas S. Monson makes the 16th. You can read President Monson's biography and some of his talks at his official website, http://www.thomassmonson.org/.
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Obedience Brings Blessings - Thomas S. Monson - April 2013 General Conference

This is one of the talks President Monson gave at the last General Conference of the Church.

Mormon Terminology, Pt. 3: Acronyms

Mormons use these acronyms a lot! Here's what they mean. (Definitions coming soon.)
* Commonly spoken. In some cases, the acronym is always used in place of the full term.

BoM or BOM  (the Book of Mormon)
BYC* ( Bishop's Youth Council or Committee)
BYU* (Brigham Young University)
BYU-Hawaii*
BYU-I*  (Brigham Young University - Idaho)

CES* (Church Educational System)

D&C* (Doctrine and Covenants)

EFY* (Especially for Youth)

EQP (Elder's Quorum President)

FHE* (Family Home Evening)
LDS* (Latter-day Saint)

PPI (Personal Priesthood Interview)

RS (Relief Society)

YSA (Young Single Adult)

YM (Young Men)

YW (Young Women)

See also Mormon Terminology, Pt. 1 and Mormon Terminology, Pt. 2.

A Correct Understanding of the Godhead

The First Vision (J. Smith - Hist., vv.14-20)

          The First Article of Faith says, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." (Articles of Faith.) This fundamental truth not only establishes that we believe that there is a god, but also that Mormons are Christians. We Mormons believe that it's important to have a correct understanding of the similarities and differences to roles and natures of  each member of the Godhead.

         Mormons believe that God the Father is our literal father, and we are his spirit children. Jesus Christ is also Heavenly Father's son and our brother, but unlike us he is Heavenly Father's only begotten in the flesh, which is probably why he and his father look so alike. Both of them have physical, glorified bodies. Together they, with the Holy Ghost, are united in purpose and love.

         The Holy Ghost does not have a body, but is a spirit. He knows all things, and one of his key roles is to give us testimonies of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and of truth. Communication from the Holy Ghost feels something like warmth, fire, and purity in your chest that fills you with joy. Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost is a beautiful, sacred thing, and it is available to everyone who wants to know God and actively looks for the truth. (A good way to begin to invite the Spirit into your life and into your home would be to invite the missionaries over, or to start reading the Book of Mormon, or to sincerely ask God if something is true. Those are perfect opportunities for the Spirit to bear witness to you of the truth of the matter in question.)

        God the Father is the one who's in charge. He is the one to whom we direct our prayers. Jesus always does whatever Heavenly Father asks him to do. Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and directs the affairs of God's church. He also came to earth to show us how to live by being an example, and he and the Holy Ghost are our greatest teachers.

This video from the April 2013 General Conference of the Church is of a member of the Quorum of the 70 explaining the doctrine of the Godhead a little further.

        One of the most important things for us to know is that Jesus is our Savior. Heavenly Father designed for us a plan whereby we could become like him, but the plan would require a savior for us. Jesus is that savior - he made our redemption possible, and we are indebted to him for that and for several other reasons. See What did Jesus Christ do for us, and what do we need to do about it? for more info about Jesus Christ, or go to http://mormon.org/jesus-christ. 

Mormon Terminology, Pt. 2

Get educated! Know what your Mormon friends are talking about when they use these words and phrases.
Also see Mormon Terminology, Pt. 1 and Mormon Terminology, Pt. 3: Acronyms.

• covenant - (v). To make a promise or agreement with God. When we partake of the Sacrament, we covenant that we will always remember God. If we keep that covenant, we will always have God's spirit to be with us.
• fullness of the Gospel - (n). All the essential teachings of Jesus Christ that we must know and live to be saved, nothing lacking. The LDS Church is the only church on earth that contains the fullness of the Gospel. 
• General Conference - (n). A semi-annual worldwide broadcast during the first weekend of April and October. The five, 2-hour-long sessions consist of several 15-minute talks given by selected Church leaders and most notably by the President of the Church (the prophet). The talks from the October 2012 General Conference were especially comforting to me as I was going through a really hard trial at the time. I can feel God's love for me when I hear the messages. 
• keep the commandments - (v). To obey God's laws. If we keep the commandments, God will bless us and we will be happy.
• latter days - (n). The period in time in the earth's history that comes right before the Savior's Second Coming. Jesus came in the meridian of time, but we live in the latter days. The Gospel will not be taken from the earth during the latter days, but it will go forth to all nations and peoples to build the kingdom of God in preparation for His coming.
• Primary - (n). The auxiliary or Sunday School class for children 12 and under. Mommy, we sang my favorite song in Primary today!
• saint - (n). A member of God's church, hence the name the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints try to follow God's teachings and repent when they make mistakes. 
• temple - (n). A beautiful, holy building where the saints worship God and perform many important, sacred ordinances. The Church has at least 140 temples worldwide. 
• trial - (n). A long-lasting challenge. God allows us to suffer many trials so that we can learn from them and become better people. 

See also Mormon Terminology, Pt. 1 and Mormon Terminology, Pt. 3: Acronyms.

We Believe in Being Chaste - David Bednar, Apostle

General Conference was April 6th and 7th. Here is one of the 15-minute talks from one of the five 2-hour-long sessions.

There's a right way to live

Mormons believe that there is a right way to live. The purpose of life is to live in such a way that we prepare ourselves to live again with God someday. Jesus has said that "no man comes unto the Father except by me."   Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Therefore, we must look to Christ and follow him. Go to mormon.org to learn more about Jesus Christ and his teachings, to request a free Book of Mormon or Bible, to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormon Church), or to request to meet with the missionaries.

Choose the Right Way
by Clara McMaster

There's a right way to live and be happy.
It is choosing the right every day.
I am learning the teachings of Jesus.
They will help me and show me the way.

Choose the right way, and be happy.
I must always choose the right.
   ("Choose the Right Way," McMaster, Clara. Children's Songbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-  day Saints, 2000. 160-161.)