Brigham Young University ends ban on caffeinated soda sales

ABC News ^ | 9-21-2017

[Snickering Hound]

Mormon church-owned Brigham Young University ended a six-decade ban Thursday on the sale of caffeinated soft drinks on campus, surprising students by posting a picture of a can of Coca-Cola on Twitter and just two words: "It's happening."

The move sparked social media celebrations from current and former students, with many recalling how they had hauled their own 2-liter bottles of caffeinated sodas in their backpacks to keep awake for long study sessions.

"I drank a lot of caffeinated beverages while I was here but none of them was purchased on campus," said Christopher Jones, 34, a visiting BYU history professor and former student. "I never thought I would see the day so it's exciting."

Jones said he didn't know whether to believe it when he saw the announcement on his phone so he walked to a student center and saw the first bottles being stocked in vending machines and refrigerators. He was one of the first people to buy one.

"Did I just buy the first-ever caffeinated Coke Zero Sugar sold in #BYU's Wilkinson Student Center?" he tweeted. 'Yes, yes I did."

Sales of highly caffeinated energy drinks are still banned.

The university decided in the mid-1950s that no caffeinated beverages would be sold on campus and didn't budge on its policy — even when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2012 clarified that church health practices do not prevent members from drinking caffeinated soft drinks.

The university said then that it was sticking to the policy because there was little demand for the drinks on campus. But the school of 33,000 students in Provo, Utah, said Thursday that increasing demand had prompted the change.

Caffeinated soft drinks will also be sold at sporting events that draw tens of thousands of fans.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Apparent Inconsistency does not necessarily mean hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is outwardly claiming a virtue that you don't have --- or even aspire to.

[SkyDancer]

Before it was good, then it was bad now it’s good again.

[SkyDancer]

I have a Mormon friend who drinks Mountain Dew like all day long.

[captain_dave]

No coffee!? No tea!? That’s a double strike against them! ....at least they’re not vegetarians.

[daniel1212]

In my opinion, if you are offered a can of beer and a can of Coke, take the beer. What happens one hour after drinking a can of Coke. You can Google more information.

You mean, What happens less than 5 secs after clinking on click-bait. That should have no place here, sorry.

[daniel1212]

This is based on the Mormonic (pseudo) "Word of Wisdom" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom)

The "Word of Wisdom" is the common name of a section of the Doctrine and Covenants,[1] a book considered by many churches within the Latter Day Saint movement to consist of revelations from God. It is also the name of a health code based on this scripture, practiced most strictly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and Mormon fundamentalists, and to a lesser extent, some other Latter Day Saint denominations. In the LDS Church, compliance with the Word of Wisdom is currently a prerequisite for baptism, service in full-time missionary work, attendance at church schools, and entry into the church's temples; however, violation of the code is not considered to be grounds for excommunication or other disciplinary action.[2]

The text discourages "strong drink" and wine (in some cases this includes sacramental wine which has been replaced with sacramental water in some sects), the non-medicinal use of tobacco, "hot drinks", and meat used more than "sparingly". ..The LDS Church interprets "hot drinks" to mean coffee and tea.[3]

According to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, the Word of Wisdom was received in 1833 as a revelation from God. After Smith's death, Brigham Young stated that the revelation was given in response to problems encountered while conducting meetings in the Smith family home:

When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet [Joseph Smith] entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry.[4]

The Word of Wisdom was first published as a stand-alone broadsheet in December 1833. In 1835, it was included as section 89 in the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Word of Wisdom revelation also suggests proper uses for some prohibited substances. While "strong drinks" are not to be ingested, they are appropriate when used "for the washing of your bodies";[13] likewise, while human ingestion of tobacco is forbidden, tobacco is said to be "an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill."[11]

Originally, abiding by the recommendations and prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom was not considered mandatory: it explicitly declares itself to be "not by commandment or constraint".[20] In February 1834, however, Joseph Smith proposed a resolution before the high council of the church that stated, "No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office after having the word of wisdom properly taught him; and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with and obey it."[21] This resolution was accepted unanimously by the council.[21]

In 1842, Smith's brother Hyrum, who was the Assistant President of the Church and its presiding patriarch, provided an interpretation of the Word of Wisdom's proscription of "hot drinks": And again "hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;" there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee.[22] According to a book written by LDS missionary and hymnographer Joel H. Johnson in 1881, Joseph Smith shared Hyrum's interpretation: I understand that some of the people are excusing themselves in using tea and coffee, because the Lord only said "hot drinks" in the revelation of the Word of Wisdom .... Tea and coffee ... are what the Lord meant when He said "hot drinks".[23]

The charge of "not observing the Word of Wisdom" was one of five leveled against David Whitmer on April 13, 1838, which led to his excommunication.[24] Nevertheless, contemporary records indicate that Joseph Smith was not, himself, a strict observer. Smith is recorded at various times as drinking tea,[25] beer,[26] and wine.[27] There is a report he also smoked tobacco: according to Amasa Lyman, a member of the First Presidency under Smith, Smith once finished preaching a sermon on the Word of Wisdom and immediately afterward rode through the streets smoking a cigar.[28]...

On August 19, 1835, Almon W. Babbitt was brought before the church's high council on three charges. On the charge of "not keeping the Word of Wisdom", Babbitt stated "that he had taken the liberty to break the Word of Wisdom, from the example of President Joseph Smith, Jun., and others, but acknowledged that it was wrong."[30] In 1838, Smith was operating a hotel/tavern in Far West, Missouri. In June 1838, the high council of Far West felt compelled to remind Smith's family that there was a ban on the sale and consumption of "ardent spirits in the place".[31]...

The church's official statement on the interpretation of the Word of Wisdom is short: it reaffirms the long-standing meaning of "hot drinks" and extends the substances covered by prohibition: The only official interpretation of "hot drinks" (D&C 89:9) in the Word of Wisdom is the statement made by early Church leaders that the term "hot drinks" means tea and coffee. Members should not use any substance that contains illegal drugs. Nor should members use harmful or habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician.[56] Although avoiding the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom is a requirement for admission to LDS Church temples,[55] violation of the Word of Wisdom no longer results in church discipline, as it once did;[40] the church instructs its leaders that church discipline "should not be [used] to discipline or threaten members who do not comply with the Word of Wisdom."[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Wisdom

. Joseph Fielding Smith claimed that the habit of drinking tea can "bar" a person from the "celestial kingdom of God":

SALVATION AND A CUP OF TEA.... my brethren, if you drink coffee or tea, or take tobacco are you letting a cup of tea or a little tobacco stand in the road and bar you from the celestial kingdom of God, where you might otherwise have received a fulness of glory? ... There is not anything that is little in this world in the aggregate. One cup of tea, then it is another cup of tea and another cup of tea, and when you get them all together, they are not so little (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2, p. 16).

As we have already shown, Mormon leaders have made three important changes concerning the Word of Wisdom in Joseph Smith's History of the Church.

In one instance, Joseph Smith asked "Brother Markam" to get "a pipe and some tobacco" for Apostle Willard Richards. These words have been replaced with the word "medicine" in recent printings of the History of the Church.

At another time Joseph Smith related that he gave some of the "brethren" a "couple of dollars, with directions to replenish" their supply of "whisky." In modern editions of the History of the Church, twenty-three words have been deleted from this reference to cover up the fact that Joseph Smith encouraged the "brethren" to disobey the Word of Wisdom.

In the third instance, Joseph Smith frankly admitted that he "drank a glass of beer at Moessers." These words have been omitted in recent printings of the History of the Church. [See page 32 of Changing World]

The reader may remember that there were two interesting entries in Joseph Smith's diary that were omitted when the History of the Church was compiled. In the first instance (March 11, 1843) Joseph Smith told of having "tea with his breakfast." When his wife asked him how he liked it, he replied that "if it was a little stronger he should like it better." In the second reference "Joseph prophesied in the name of the Lord that he would drink wine" with Orson Hyde "in the east" (Joseph Smith Diary, January 20, 1843)....

All of the early Mormon apostles seem to have used alcoholic beverages after the Word of Wisdom was given. This account of an incident in 1840 is found in Joseph Smith's History of the Church, (vol. 4, p. 120): "April 17.— This day the twelve blessed and drank a bottle of wine at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon forty years before." Under the date of July 1, 1845, Hosea Stout recorded in his diary: "This day there was a grand concert ... we had also the 12 and other authorities with us, and was also provided with as much beer, wine, cakes &c as we could eat and drink" (On The Mormon Frontier, The Diary Of Hosea Stout, vol. 1, p. 50).

Since Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders did not observe the Word of Wisdom, members of the church became confused over the matter. George A. Smith related:"... a certain family, ... arrived in Kirtland, and the Prophet asked them to stop with him ... Sister Emma, in the mean time, asked the old lady if she would have a cup of tea ... or a cup of coffee. This whole family apostatized because they were invited to take a cup of tea or coffee, after the Word of Wisdom was given" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 214).

 

Brigham Young's Distillery

Brigham Young spoke a great deal about the Word of Wisdom, but he seemed to have a difficult struggle applying it to his own life. According to Hosea Stout's diary (On The Mormon Frontier, vol. 1, p. 75). Brigham Young declared on September 27, 1845: "... I am and ever intend to be the Master of my passions ... some may say that I am in the habits of taking snuff and tea yet I am no slave to these passions and can leave these off if they make my brother affronted...." In 1854 Brigham Young drank coffee on a regular basis (see Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? p. 408). On April 7, 1867, Brigham Young acknowledged in the Tabernacle that he had chewed tobacco for many years: "... it is not my privilege to drink liquor, neither is it my privilege to eat tobacco. Well, bro. Brigham, have you not done it? Yes, for many years, but I ceased its habitual practice. I used it for toothache; now I am free from that pain, and my mouth is never stained with tobacco" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 12, p. 404).

On the way to Utah, Brigham Young counseled the Mormons to "make beer as a drink" (John D. Lee, p. 116). Historian Hurbert Howe Bancroft says that "the first bar-room in S.L. City, and the only one for years, was in the Salt Lake House, owned by President Young and Feramorz Little" (History of Utah, p. 540, footnote 44).

Stanley P. Hirshon writes:

In Utah the church dominated the liquor trade. In 1856 Caleb Green freighted six tons of tobacco, rum, whiskey, brandy, tea, and coffee across the plains for Young, and two years later The New York Times reported that the "principal drinking-saloon and gambling-room are in Salt Lake House, a building under the control of the Church and the immediate superintendency of Heber C. Kimball." ...Young tried his best to rid himself of rival brewers (The Lion of the Lord, p. 285).

On June 7, 1863, Brigham Young acknowledged publicly that he had built a distillery:...

"When there was no whisky to be had here, and we needed it for rational purposes, I built a house to make it in. When the distillery was almost completed and in good working order, an army was heard of in our vicinity and I shut up the works; I did not make a gallon of whisky at my works, because it came here in great quantities, more than was needed" (Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, p. 206).

Hubert Howe Bancroft records: "Peter K. Dotson,... came to Salt Lake City in 1851, and was first employed by Brigham as manager of a distillery, afterwards becoming express and mail agent" (History of Utah, p. 573, footnote 2). Josiah F. Gibbs provided further information concerning Brigham Young's distillery:

During forty years the Mormon prophets absolutely controlled the city council and police force of Salt Lake....

Instead, however, of bringing their unappealable dictum to bear on the side of temperance and decent morals, the Prophet Brigham became a distiller of whiskey and other intoxicants, and high priests were the wholesale and retail distributors....

More .

Joseph Fielding Smith: "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground." Doctrines of Salvation, Page 188. http://www.whatismormonism.com/

Below is where I found the empirical evidence that essentially led to the gutting of my belief in Mormonism--published in Jerald and Sandra Tanner's book, "The Changing World of Mormonism: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Changes in Mormon Doctrine and Practice" (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1981], pp. 534-547). A copy of the book's contents can be found at: http://www.utlm.org/onlinebooks/changech22b.htm#

http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon550.htm

[daniel1212]

I work with a Mormon man who must drink at least two liters of Mountain Dew per day; he carries around a Big Gulp cup everywhere he goes, all day long. But he self-righteously will not drink coffee, tea, or cola. The hypocrisy makes no sense but I suppose it’s none of my business.

Gordon B. Hinckley confirmed to Mike Wallace on public television that Mormons don’t drink caffeinated drinks. Within Mormon culture, some simply take it as a “higher law.” It doesn’t have to be “official” — much of spirituality and theology in Mormonism goes beyond the “official” script. Just as much as there is “unofficial” doctrine, there is “unofficial” evidence of not being TBM (true blue Mormon).

LDS Living magazine admits,

“It’s been a long and heated debate among members on whether or not caffeine is against the Word of Wisdom… This is a touchy topic – many Mormons will stick to their belief of no caffeine, while others might take this as a blessing to drink Mountain Dew. ..

the LDS Church softened their recent LDS Newsroom statement from this:

Despite what was reported, the Church does not prohibit the use of caffeine...

to this:

Despite what was reported, the Church revelation spelling out health practices (Doctrine and Covenants 89) does not mention the use of caffeine....

While this might seem like a trivial change, it is not. Andrew over at the New Order Mormon blog WheatAndTares.org observes:

The old version, as you can see above, differs from the new version in two relevant ways — it explicitly states that the church does not prohibit the use of caffeine, and then it explicitly states that the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom do not go beyond alcoholic beverages, smoking or chewing tobacco, and “hot drinks” (which refer specifically to tea and coffee).

Those who find caffeinated soda not OK can look at the new statement and see a statement that also validates them — for even if Doctrine and Covenants 89 does not mention the use of caffeine, that’s not the same as the Church (a far wider body of doctrine) explicitly not prohibiting it.

… the church can remain relatively silent — so that when one group or another either speaks in favor of caffeinated sodas or against, it can modulate its reaction appropriately. The church, in other words, has plausible deniability as a result of ambiguous policy statements.

So there you have it: The lighthouse beacon of doctrinal clarity is actually a fog machine. And if you don’t believe me, consider the poll over at LDS Living:

“Before this announcement, did you think caffeine was okay to drink?”
Of 14,458 votes, 38% responded: “No”

“After this announcement, do you think it’s okay to drink caffeine?”
Of 14,102 votes, 33% responded: “No” http://blog.mrm.org/2012/09/mormonisms-caffeine-debacle-and-why-it-matters/

Caffeine Content Of Popular Drinks

Soft drinks (12-ounce)	caffeine (mg)		Coffee and tea (8-ounce)	caffeine (mg)
Red Bull (8.2 oz)	80.0		Coffee, Drip	115-175
Jolt	71.2		Coffee, Brewed	80-135
Pepsi One	55.5		Coffee, Espresso (2 ounces)	100
Mountain Dew	55.0		Ben & Jerry's Coffee Fudge Frozen Yogurt(8oz)	85
Mountain Dew Code Red	55.0		Coffee, Instant	65-100
Diet Mountain Dew	55.0		Tea, iced	47
Kick Citrus	54.0		Tea, brewed, imported brands (avg.)	60
Mellow Yellow	52.8		Tea, brewed, U.S. brands (avg.)	40
Surge	51.0		Tea, instant	30
Tab	46.8		Tea, green	15
Diet Coke	45.6		Hot cocoa	14
Shasta Cola	44.4		Coffee, Decaf, brewed	3-4
Shasta Cherry Cola	44.4		Coffee, Decaf, instant	2-3
Shasta Diet Cola	44.4		Dark chocolate (1 oz)	20 mg
RC Cola	43.0
Diet RC	43.0
Dr. Pepper	41.0
Diet Dr. Pepper	41.0
Diet Sunkist Orange	41.0
Mr. Pibb	40.0
Sugar-Free Mr. Pibb	40.0
Red Flash	40.0
Sunkist Orange	40.0
Slim-Fast Cappuccino Delight Shake	40.0
Ruby Red	39.0
Storm	38.0
Big Red	38.0
Pepsi-Cola	37.5
Pepsi Twist	37.5
Diet Pepsi Jazz	37.5
Diet Pepsi	36.0
Wild Cherry Pepsi	38.0
Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi	36.0
Diet Pepsi Twist	36.0
Aspen	36.0
Coca-Cola Classic	34.0
Cherry Coke	34.0
Lemon Coke	34.0
Vanilla Coke	34.0
Diet Cherry Coke	34.0
Snapple Flavored Teas (Reg. or Diet)	31.5
Canada Dry Cola	30.0
A&W Creme Soda	29.0
Nestea Sweet Iced Tea	26.5
Nestea Unsweetened Iced Tea	26.0
Barq's Root Beer	23.0
A&W Diet Creme Soda	22.0
Slim-Fast Chocolate Flavors	20.0
Snapple Sweet Tea	12.0
Lipton Brisk, All Varieties	9
Canada Dry Diet Cola	1.2
Diet Rite Cola	0
Sprite	0
7-Up	0
Mug Root Beer	0
Diet Barq's Root Beer	0
Sundrop Orange	0
Minute Maid Orange	0
A&W Root Beer	0
Slice	0
Sierra Mist	0
Fresca	0

SOURCES: National Soft Drink Association, US Food and Drug Administration, Bunker and McWilliams, Pepsi, Slim-Fast. - https://www.math.utah.edu/~yplee/fun/caffeine.html

More: Caffeine Chart | Center for Science in the Public Interest

[Elsie]

Well; things like this will happen when a True Mormon actually READS what his Scriptures say!

MormonISMs foundation:

Does anyone lack wisdom?

And here is the WORD of Wisdom:

 

THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

SECTION 89

 

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327–329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.

 

1–9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

 

  1 A ^aWord OF Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

  2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the ^aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and ^bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

  3 Given for a principle with ^apromise, adapted to the capacity of the ^bweak and the weakest of all ^csaints, who are or can be called saints.

  4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of ^aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of ^bconspiring men in the last days, I have ^cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

  5 That inasmuch as any man ^adrinketh ^bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

  6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, ^apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

  7 And, again, ^astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

  8 And again, tobacco is not for the ^abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

  9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

  10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome ^aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

  11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with ^aprudence and ^bthanksgiving.

  12 Yea, ^aflesh also of ^bbeasts 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 ^csparingly;

  13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be ^aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or ^bfamine.

  14 All ^agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

  15 And ^athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

  16 All grain is good for the ^afood of man; as also the ^bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

  17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

  18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ^ashall receive ^bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;

  19 And shall ^afind ^bwisdom and great ^ctreasures of ^dknowledge, even hidden treasures;

  20 And shall ^arun and not be ^bweary, and shall walk and not faint.

  21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the ^adestroying angel shall ^bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

---

The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Rights and use information. Privacy policy.

[bert]

Ahhh....... back in the saddle again

[Elsie]

The SkyRoom tossed out verse 13 LONG ago; as have most ALL Mormons!

[Elsie]

A Mormon friend told me that the religious prohibition was specifically against coffee and tea, not caffeine per se. He was quite observant yet drank Coke regularly.

N o; there is NO 'religious' prohibition!

That is something MAN-MADE!!

Read the WOW and see if you can find coffee or tea mentioned.

---

Observant??

Of WHAT??

Surely not the 'scripture'!

[Elsie]

The hypocrisy makes no sense but I suppose it’s none of my business.

It's not hypocrisy if you do NOT know what your Holy Books say.

He is relying on what he has been TAUGHT; NOT on what he researched for himself.

(Just like Catholics)

Bereans are few and far between these days.

[Elsie]

Coffee time!

[RegulatorCountry]

That sounds like silly legalistic hair-splitting to me. What do coffee and tea have in common that might lead some to think it would be “bad?”

Caffeine.

Don’t get me wrong, I drink sodas probably to excess myself. But, I’m not Mormon. I’m under no such constraint. I do, however, recognize the benefit of clean living such as the Mormons attempt to enforce. Wrongly, in my opinion, but it’s difficult to deny that there are also positives.

[Elsie]

There ya go.

The fella is DELUDED.

[Elsie]

Before it was good, then it was bad now it’s good again.

I'd bet that LOTS of Mormons are just waiting for POLYGAMY to become 'good' again!

The fella (for whom this university is named) had a word or two about it:

"Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned;

and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given,

and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned.

  - JoD 3:266 (July 14, 1855)

[Elsie]

Don't know much about history...
 

666 posted on Saturday, September 23, 2017 7:35:28 AM by --Mormon_Dude (I may not understand everything MORMON, but, by golly, I sure BELIEVE it!)

[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 666 | View Replies | Report Abuse]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

Below is where I found the empirical evidence that essentially led to the gutting of my belief in Mormonism....

AAAARRRGH!!

Damned ANTI-MORMONS!!!!!

---

I must FLEE to the safety of LDS scripture!!

---

 

 

What's for dinner?

 

D&C 49:18-19  18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God; 19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.

D&C 89:12-13  12 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; 13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

 

 

 

It must be tough; being a Mormon.   Having to face Scripture that state two opposing ideas and somehow managing to believe BOTH of them!  It's no WONDER that Utah leads in Prozac usage!

 

 

 

[Elsie]

It doesn’t have to be “official” —

A fella (or gal) just can NOT go wrong by following what the Living Prophet® says!!

---

---

---

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

Ezra Taft Benson

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)     http://www.lds.org/liahona/1981/06/fourteen-fundamentals-in-following-the-prophet?lang=eng

[Elsie]

It doesn’t have to be “official” —

Oh??

---

Where can we find an 'OFFICIAL MORMON' teaching website??

Official sites are sites supported by LDS officials unless said official sites are considered unofficial by said officials.

 

At that point such sites are unofficial unless officially referenced for official purposes by officials who can do so officially.

 

This should not be misconstrued as an indication that official sites can be unofficially recognized as official nor should it be implied that unofficial sites cannot contain official information, but are not officially allowed to be offical despite their official contents due the their unofficialness.

 

Official sites will be official and recognized as official by officials of the LDS unless there is an official reason to mark them as unofficial either temporally or permanently, which would make the official content officially unofficial.

 

This is also not to imply that recognized sites, often used on FR by haters and bigots cannot contain official information, it just means that content, despite its official status, is no longer official and should be consider unofficial despite the same information being official on an official site elsewhere.

 

Even then the officialness my be amended due to the use of the unofficial information which may determine the officialness of anything be it official or unofficial depending on how and where it is used officially or unofficially.

I hope this clear things up for the lurkers out there.

The haters tend to make things complicated and confusing when it is all really quite crystal clear.

--Ejonesie22