SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormons are free to down a Coke or Pepsi.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has clarified its position on caffeinated soft drinks, noting the news media often incorrectly states that its members are forbidden to drink caffeine.
On Wednesday, the church posted a statement on its website saying it "does not prohibit the use of caffeine," The Salt Lake Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/O7qcBy ).
A day later, the website wording was changed, saying only that "the church revelation spelling out health practices ... does not mention the use of caffeine."
Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the clarification was made to provide context to last week's NBC News hour-long special on Mormonism that stated Mormons don't drink caffeine.
But church leaders say that doesn't mean they view caffeinated drinks as healthy. They just don't bar members from drinking them.
Even LDS presidential nominee Mitt Romney has been seen drinking an occasional soft drink, and Mormon missionaries in France routinely drink them, too.
Several earlier LDS leaders considered drinking caffeinated soft drinks as a violation of the "spirit" of the Word of Wisdom.
It was dictated in 1833 by Mormon founder Joseph Smith, and bars consumption of wine, strong drinks with alcohol, tobacco and "hot drinks," which have been defined by church authorities as tea and coffee.
The church's Website posting Wednesday reaffirmed that the faith's health-code reference to hot drinks "does not go beyond" tea and coffee.
The clarification on caffeine "is long overdue," said Matthew Jorgensen, a Mormon and longtime Mountain Dew drinker.
Jorgensen, who is doing a two-year research fellowship in Germany, said he grew up in "a devout Mormon household, in a small, devout Mormon town," where his neighbors and church leaders viewed "drinking Coca-Cola as so close to drinking coffee that it made your worthiness ... questionable."
In the end, he said, it's up to individual church members to decide what to drink.
"I can understand why the church is cautious," he wrote by email. "Saying that caffeine is OK might sound like saying that caffeine is healthy, maybe even an endorsement of caffeine.
"Plus, I think members need opportunities to work through questions of right and wrong for themselves. (Caffeine) is the perfect, low-risk testing ground for members to make decisions for themselves," Jorgensen added.
Engaged Voter posted at 5:56 pm on Wed, Sep 5, 2012.
I absolutely LOVE it when these superstitious cults get caught up in their own lies.
Mark of Cain, caffeine...no wonder they love Romney, they think "flip-flopping" is a virtue.
"Alien from the planet Kolob bless America" <---sounds silly, doesn't it? ;)
JW Simms posted at 5:33 pm on Wed, Sep 5, 2012.
Mormon's ok'd coke after they bought into the soft drink industry, just like they declared the Black's were no longer an animal, as long as they had money to donate to the Church. J.W. Simms.[wink]
Bluepoet posted at 10:54 am on Wed, Sep 5, 2012.
, Really?!! As a Coke-a-holic, now I can return to the fold?!
Hah! Sorry, but, just like the whole Mark of Cain thing, it's about 30years to late...
Nice try, though...you Mormons are getting more and more like real Christians every day...(Catholics suddenly finding it ok to not speak in Latin, etc...)
DataMan posted at 12:47 pm on Sun, Sep 2, 2012.
Is this like how the Mormons "clarified" that they didn't think African Americans were Satan on earth just about 20 years ago? And isn't Hot Chocolate a "hot" drink?
downtownresident posted at 7:36 am on Sun, Sep 2, 2012.
Of all the FLAMING hypocritical lies pumped out by this CULT, this tops the list!!!
I'll spit in the eye of the next person who tries to tell me that the Mormon CULT does not enter into politics.
This is blatant pandering on the part of cult member Romney to try to help get him elected president.
Lying hypocrites!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You Mormons make me sick, sick, sick.
Has Olivia Cortez joined Mitten's team yet, as a strategist???????
ringtone posted at 5:55 am on Sun, Sep 2, 2012.
I thought that the church had a large position in Coke as a company?
asuaguila posted at 10:27 pm on Sat, Sep 1, 2012.
What's with all the stories about Mormons-free campaigning for a certain candidate?
Is this a newspaper or a SuperPac?
tededitedit posted at 4:58 pm on Sat, Sep 1, 2012.
I was born in Salt Lake City into a non-Mormon family. We were always berated by Mormons for drinking caffeine so we believed that was their doctrine. It's either progressive or wishy-washy that they've "clarified the policy" at this time - I hope they can clarify that. Wow, maybe now they'll make it okay for any person to go into any room in their church buildings!
mesateacher posted at 3:10 pm on Sat, Sep 1, 2012.
There's something wrong here. Many years ago when I was in the fold, I went to the bishop looking to get a temple recommend. After asking if I masturbated, he then wanted to know if I had taken in any drinks like coffee, tea
, coke.
one of the last posted at 2:43 pm on Sat, Sep 1, 2012.
I guess I will have to let the Mormons I know who think that the church forbids it that it does not.