Mormon church confirms its members are allowed to drink coke and Pepsi.. but tea is still banned

Well it is now 100 percent official - Mormon's are allowed to drink coke and more specifically caffeine, just not tea or coffee.



In a statement issued this week the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cleared up what had become a contentious and misrepresented fact.



Posted online, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based church said 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 or coffee.

Scroll Down for Video



Mitt Romney with Rick Santorum (left) in 2008: Mitt Romney can officially enjoy a coke or Pepsi or Mountain Dew if he wanted after the LDS declared that Mormons can drink caffeine - just not tea or coffee

The statement clarifies over a hundred years of confusion and clears the way for Mitt Romney to down his often enjoyed campaign trail Diet Coke safe in the knowledge that he is in no way rebeling against the Mormon's book, the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom which the Mormon faith believes was a revelation from God to Joseph Smith Jr. states plainly that the only strict interpretation of 'hot drinks' refers directly to tea and coffee.

Mormon Temple on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah: The LDS have issued an official edict that drinking caffeine is allowed for those of the Mormon faith

The landmark and public clarification that caffeinated drinks bar tea and coffee are fine was prompted by an NBC 'Rock Center' report which claimed as fact that LDS members were prohibited from drinking coffee.



Word of Wisdom: Prohibited and restricted by the LDS Alcohol: Excluding sacremental wine

Hot Drinks: According to LDS leadership this means tea and coffee

Tobacco: All smoking for recreation is not allowed

Meat: Mormons are encouraged to eat meat sparingly and to concentrate on a grain, fruit and vegetable diet

The church wrote in response: '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 prohibits alcoholic drinks, smoking or chewing of tobacco, and 'hot drinks' — taught by Church leaders to refer specifically to tea and coffee.'



However while some Mormons have said that they are pleased by the official announcement, most grew up believing that Coca-Cola and Pepsi were equal to tea and coffee.

'For me it's more of I don't want to get addicted to it. I don't want to be like, 'I need my caffeine today,' said David Rollins to Fox 13 in Salt Lake City as he carried a caffeine-free Diet Coke.



'In fact, I baptized a guy who worked for Coke and he was thinking, 'I might have to get a different job.'

Public perceptions of Mormons are high on the agenda following the acceptance of the Republican Party's nomination to run for President by Mitt Romney, a devout follower of the faith.

Most are aware that alcohol, tabacco, recreational drugs and tea and coffee are prohibited, but the caffeine announcement will surely clear up misconceptions held by the majority.

Portrait of Joseph Smith (left), Prophet of the Mormon faith in a hand painted print in around 1835 and right a cup of coffee which his Word of Wisdom health guidelines outlaws

The students of BRigham Young University a Mormon funded college are served caffeine free coke as most Mormons and the public have assumed that caffeine is not allowed

Part of the confusion has stemmed from the LDS owned Brigham Young University which does not sell or serve caffeinated drinks.



However, a BYU spokesman, Carri Jenkins explained it is 'not a university of church decision, but made by dining services, based on what our customers want.'



'We are constantly evaluating what those needs and desires are.'