 | Hi Gramps, Ever since joining the church five years ago, I have wondered about the issue of drinking caffeinated pop. The missionaries that taught us, said we should drink 7up, sprite, etc . . . without the caffeine. Upon joining, we gave up all cola's. Within a few months, I noticed many members use Cola drinks frequently. When my daughter went on a youth trip and rode with the Bishop she came home and told us he drank Coke all the way there and back. Shortly after that my family gradually began using cola's again. I have to admit, I felt better and more spiritually in tune while abstaining from caffeine. But, I wonder what is the church's standard on this issue? Thanks, Sherry Chiles, aol.com |
Dear Sherry,
Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, known as the Word of Wisdom, was received on 27
February, 1833 at a meeting of the School of the Prophets in the upper room of the Whitney
store in Kirtland, Ohio. It was published on a broad sheet in Dec. 1833, and included as
Section 80 in the 1835 edition of the Doctrine & Covenants.
Although the Word of Wisdom was given by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith "not by
commandment or constraint" but "given for a principle with promise," it is
nevertheless a binding document on the members of the Church. To quote from the Millennial
Star, 1 Feb. 1852, p. 35, "The Word of Wisdom became a binding document on the
members of the Church at the general conference on 9 Sept. 1851. President Brigham Young
proposed to the general conference that all saints formally covenant to abstain from tea,
coffee, tobacco and whiskey and 'all things mentioned in the Word of Wisdom.' The motion
was accepted unanimously and became binding as a commandment for all members
thereafter."
Supporting the point that Section 89 was binding on the members of the Church, Brigham
Young said on April 7, 1869, "I know that some say the revelations upon these points
are not given by way of commandment. Very well, but we are commanded to observe every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Discourses of Brigham Young, pp. 182-83).
Although the Word of Wisdom, as a formal document, is binding on the members of the
Church, other harmful substances are not under the same official proscription. However,
the Brethren have counseled against taking into the body any harmful substances.
Concerning the use of Cola drinks, the following counsel is given in the Priesthood
Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 4. "Are Cola Drinks Forbidden by the Word of Wisdom? What
about soft drinks containing habit-forming drugs or caffeine, such as cola drinks?
Although soft drinks are not mentioned specifically in the Word of Wisdom, an official
statement by the Church's leaders reads: 'With reference to cola drinks, the Church has
never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have
advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing
harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit.
Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.'"
There are some who would like to walk as close to the line of disobedience as they are
allowed, and participate in the pleasures of the world to the extent that their standing
in the Church would permit. It is a much safer practice to walk as far away from the line
of disobedience as possible. It may be exciting, for instance, to walk along the edge of a
cliff and get the thrill of looking over the edge. However, one false step--tripping over
a twig or stepping on a loose stone--and one is in severe danger of falling over the cliff
and being wounded on the rocks below. How much more sensible it is to take the path along
the top of the ridge where any little accident would mean nothing more that brushing
oneself off and continuing on the way.
One of the purposes of this life is to become the masters of ourselves, controlling what
we say, do and think. If we become addicted to any habit
forming drug, to that extent we are enslaved rather than being in control.
Gramps