The first version on Wednesday was worded assertively: “…the church does not prohibit the use of caffeine.” The next day, it was watered down to say that the Word of Wisdom “does not mention the use of caffeine.”

Here’s the full statement after the edit: “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.”

It’s a rather odd construction, as it refers to health “guidelines” which “prohibit” hot drinks. A prohibition sounds more like a law than a guideline. Maybe there’s no difference.

One might also observe that while caffeine is not mentioned in LDS scripture, neither are tea and coffee. Yet abstinence from them has become modern doctrine based on the words of church leaders. (CLICK “CONTINUE READING”)

Confusion in the media is understandable because the principle has never been clearly stated.

The traditional LDS syllogism runs something like this: Hot drinks are prohibited. Hot drinks are defined as tea and coffee. Tea and coffee contain caffeine. Church leaders have frequently taught that caffeine is addictive. Therefore, the Word of Wisdom must be interpreted as prohibiting caffeine. This is why you can buy caffeine-free Coke on church-owned BYU campus, but not regular Coke.

But then what about Mitt Romney’s penchant for coffee ice cream? Doesn’t that put him outside conventional church boundaries? Perhaps Mitt is OK because his coffee is not hot, and ice cream is not a drink.

But then what about a smooth iced latte, which is a coffee drink but isn’t hot? And what about hot chocolate, which also contains some caffeine?

I’m just saying.

If coffee is “prohibited,” but only as a “hot drink” — not because of caffeine, per the official church statement — a whole array of justifiable coffee consumption by Mormons could ensue.

Hot on the order of the McDonald’s coffee that resulted in a lawsuit a few years ago would clearly not be healthy. Pretty much the whole world would agree that no drink should be as hot as molten rock.

After that, however, it’s all a muddle.