All About Mormons: Why don't they drink Coke?

"Why don't Mormons drink Coke?"

Although this question is a bit faulty, I have heard it a lot.  The rumor gets around that the LDS church doesn't let their members drink a certain carbonated soft drink.  Now I personally have never heard any official statement from the church telling us not to drink it, but I think I understand where this notion comes from.

In 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation commonly known as "The Word of Wisdom" (D&C 89).  It is a law of health received from God.  The principles taught in The Word of Wisdom outline the things we should and shouldn't take into our bodies.  In it, the Lord tells us that "hot drinks are not for the body or belly" (v. 9).  Through modern revelation we learn that the term "hot drinks" refers to coffee and tea.  Now, these substances are definitely against the Word of Wisdom and must be avoided to follow the counsel of God and His prophets.  Other than alcohol, no other drink is prohibited in the Word of Wisdom.

But, many believe we are told to abstain from coffee & tea because of the high amounts of caffeine found therein.  In addition to this many sources in and out of the LDS church have found caffeine to be a harmful and addictive substance (for examples see here & here).  But, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has never, to my knowledge, made an official statement advising us not to drink caffeinated beverages.

In short, Latter-Day saints are a health-conscious people.  Some don't drink caffeinated drinks or soda because it's simply not good for you.

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Articles of Faith #7

"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth"

 After baptism, members of Christ's church receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 19: 2-6).  With the gift of the Holy Ghost comes many blessings. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul taught of these gifts:

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 study the whole chapter for further understanding)

In the days of the early apostles these gifts were known and commonly accepted.  With the modern restoration of God's priesthood, these gifts are as readily available as they have ever been.  Just like our talents and abilities, not everyone has the same gifts.  God speaks today and He works miracles among His children!  The Book of Mormon prophet Moroni teaches us that "these gifts ... never will be done away".  The only thing that could accomplish that is "the unbelief of the children of men" (Moroni 10: 19).  

I know that God lives and that "he is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Moroni 10: 19).  I know that Jesus Christ is His son.  I know that the spirit can truly perform miracles in our lives and the lives of others.  I pray that we can all follow Christ's example and seek after these spiritual gifts.