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. [The Priesthood Bulletin, Feb. 1972, p. 4; also in “The Word of Wisdom,” The Doctrine and Covenants: Student Manual (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1981), p. 209.]

I was over in England a while back and a bishop asked me, “What is the Church’s stand on cola drinks?” I said, “Well, I can’t remember the exact wording of the bulletin, but I remember seeing the bulletin when …

Cola Drinks – Vaughn J. Featherstone Read more »

Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; and it is pleasing unto me that they should …

The Word of Wisdom, 27 February 1833 Read more »

There are many ways in which we may break the Word of Wisdom. We break it when we eat more than is needful, even of wholesome foods. We have been commanded to do all things in moderation, “with judgment, not …

Moderation – Joseph Fielding Smith, 1950s Read more »

Dried peas and beans such as pigeon peas, navy beans, and soybeans contain moderate to high quality protein as well as some iron, so these may be used as meat alternates. [“The Do’s in the Word of Wisdom,” Ensign, vol. …

Meat Alternates – Lora Beth Larson, 1977 Read more »

I was definitely informed by a chemist that the cola drinks are just as harmful as tea or coffee, and his advice was to leave all such substances alone. [“Use of Cola Drinks and Playing Games of Chance,” Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 5 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1966), p. 75.]

Some people avoid caffeine by switching to decaffeinated coffee. However, several medical investigations over the last decade have shown that between 40 and 50 percent of decaffeinated coffee drinkers have gastrointestinal difficulties, such as ulcers, colitis, or diarrhea. (Goulart, 1984.) …

Caffeine & Coffee – Clifford J. Stratton Read more »