![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(→Source(s) of criticism: Modified) |
m |
||
Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
:On October 15, 1924, representatives of the Coca-Cola Company called on President Grant to complain that non-Mormon Dr. T. B. Beatty, state Health Director, was using the church organization to assist in an attack on Coca-Cola. They asked President Grant to stop him, but he refused at first, saying that he himself had advised Mormons not to drink the beverage. Beatty, however, had been claiming that there was four to five times as much caffeine in Coke as in coffee, when in fact, as the representatives showed, there were approximately 1.7 grains in a cup of coffee and approximately .43 grains or about a fourth as much in a equivalent amount of Coke. After a second meeting, President Grant said that he was "sure I have not the slightest desire to recommend that the people leave Coca-Cola alone if this amount is absolutely harmless, which they claim it is." Beatty, however, insisted that he would still recommend against its use by children. The question was left unresolved, and evidence indicates that while the First Presidency has taken no official stand on the use of cola drinks, some members urge abstinence.{{ref|grant1}} | :On October 15, 1924, representatives of the Coca-Cola Company called on President Grant to complain that non-Mormon Dr. T. B. Beatty, state Health Director, was using the church organization to assist in an attack on Coca-Cola. They asked President Grant to stop him, but he refused at first, saying that he himself had advised Mormons not to drink the beverage. Beatty, however, had been claiming that there was four to five times as much caffeine in Coke as in coffee, when in fact, as the representatives showed, there were approximately 1.7 grains in a cup of coffee and approximately .43 grains or about a fourth as much in a equivalent amount of Coke. After a second meeting, President Grant said that he was "sure I have not the slightest desire to recommend that the people leave Coca-Cola alone if this amount is absolutely harmless, which they claim it is." Beatty, however, insisted that he would still recommend against its use by children. The question was left unresolved, and evidence indicates that while the First Presidency has taken no official stand on the use of cola drinks, some members urge abstinence.{{ref|grant1}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | The ''Ensign'' included a wise caution in Dec 2008: | ||
+ | |||
+ | :...the Word of Wisdom does not specifically prohibit caffeine. However, I believe that if we follow the spirit of the Word of Wisdom we will be very careful about what we consume, particularly any substance that can have a negative impact on our bodies. This is true regarding any drug, substance, or even food that may be damaging to one's health. This includes caffeine.{{ref|ensign1}} | ||
An official statement of policy from the First Presidency is available: | An official statement of policy from the First Presidency is available: | ||
Line 34: | Line 38: | ||
#{{note|brm1}} {{MD|article=Word of Wisdom|start=845|end=846}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?book_doc_id=210556}} | #{{note|brm1}} {{MD|article=Word of Wisdom|start=845|end=846}}{{GL1|url=http://gospelink.com/library/doc?book_doc_id=210556}} | ||
#{{note|grant1}} {{Dialogue|author=Thomas G. Alexander|article=The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement|date=Autumn 1981|num=3|vol=14|start=84|end=85}}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=6654&CISOSHOW=6589}} | #{{note|grant1}} {{Dialogue|author=Thomas G. Alexander|article=The Word of Wisdom: From Principle to Requirement|date=Autumn 1981|num=3|vol=14|start=84|end=85}}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cgi-bin/docviewer.exe?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=6654&CISOSHOW=6589}} | ||
+ | #{{note|ensign1}} {{Ensign|author=Thomas J. Boud, MD|article=The Energy Drink Epidemic|date=December 2008|start=48|end=52}} {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=30952f9318fcd110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1}} | ||
#{{note|1stpres}} {{Dialogue1|author=Lester E. Bush, Jr., ed.|article=Mormon Medical Ethical Guidelines|date=Fall 1979|num=3|vol=12|start=103|}}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=1947&REC=5}} | #{{note|1stpres}} {{Dialogue1|author=Lester E. Bush, Jr., ed.|article=Mormon Medical Ethical Guidelines|date=Fall 1979|num=3|vol=12|start=103|}}{{link|url=http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=1947&REC=5}} | ||
This page is based on an answer to a question submitted to the FAIR web site, or a frequently asked question.
Is it true that cola drinks (e.g. Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper) are forbidden to members of the Church?
Spencer W. Kimball made his own and the Church's view of cola drinks clear:
Bruce R. McConkie observed:
President Heber J. Grant was encouraged to forbid cola drinks officially, but declined to do so:
The Ensign included a wise caution in Dec 2008:
An official statement of policy from the First Presidency is available:
Many members of the Church abstain from cola drinks as part of their personal application of the Word of Wisdom. But, use of cola products does not result in a restriction of Church privileges, while the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs certainly would.
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now