Rock Center Special and Caffeine

First of all, news organizations reporting about the church are so weird. The Huffington Post just published this article entitled:"Mormon Caffeine Policy Clarified, Coke And Pepsi Officially OK For Latter-Day Saints." This is what they wrote:

'On Wednesday (Aug. 29), the LDS church posted a statement on its website saying that "the church does not prohibit the use of caffeine" and that the faith's health-code reference to "hot drinks" "does not go beyond (tea and coffee)." A day later, the website wording was slightly softened, saying only that "the church revelation spelling out health practices ... does not mention the use of caffeine."'

I looked at the Newsroom web site and found that they did post in their "Mormonism in the News: Getting it Right" blog the following in response to the Brian Williams Rock Center special on Mormons:

"Finally, another small correction: Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine.  The Church’s health guidelines prohibit alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and “hot drinks” — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee."

So the Huffington Post thinks that is an official statement clarifying doctrine! I hope no one else thinks that! My opinion on the matter is aligned with this statement my Elder Packer:

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“There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the [Word of Wisdom].  “Everything harmful is not specifically listed; arsenic, for instance—certainly bad, but not habit-forming! He who must be commanded in all things, the Lord said, ‘is a slothful and not a wise servant’ (D&C 58:26).” - President Boyd K. Packer, “The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 17.

Yes, it doesn't specifically say, but that is what we have to do for many commandments, be guided by the spirit in how we interpret them. I think its fine to have a caffeinated soda every once and a while; even chocolate has some caffeine in it. But I do know many people who really do have to have their soda every day and they are using it as a pick-me-up. I just don't think we should be drinking caffeinated beverages if we are using them as a stimulus or aid. We should alter our lifestyles instead of relying on a pill or a drink. Also, why would the Church Office Building, BYU, and all church owned schools and institutions not have caffeinated drinks available for purchase?

In a Q & A in the New Era Bishop H. Burke Peterson answered this question:

“Is it against Church standards to drink cola beverages or any other beverage containing caffeine?”

"We know that cola drinks contain the drug caffeine. We know caffeine is not wholesome nor prudent for the use of our bodies. It is only sound judgment to conclude that cola drinks and any others that contain caffeine or other harmful ingredients should not be used."

A Priesthood Bulletin from Feb 1972 states:
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“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 is no current Church policy that would preclude a bishop issuing a temple recommend to a person who consumes cola beverages. However, Cola beverages contain caffeine in amounts that are approximately one-half to one-fourth the amount in a cup of coffee, depending upon the size of the bottle. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that certainly tends to become addictive in its use, with the attendant side effects of nervous-system stimulants. Frequent use of cola beverages can lead to an addictive pattern similar to that observed in coffee drinkers."