This is a bit of silliness. Google is working on an indexing and infrastructure update it has named “Caffeine Update.” A forum discussion on the tool included this comment:

“So Google is developing an updated search tool called ‘Caffeine’

“I’m not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka Mormon Church) but I do respect other religions. Since the Mormon religion disallows caffeine, please consider changing the name. It’s kind of like marketing Google Bacon to Jewish or Muslim folks, or Google Brisket to Hindus.”

I don’t know if the commenter was serious or if he/she meant this as a joke, but it certainly has people laughing. It seems that all — Mormons and non-Mormons alike — agree that the idea is utterly ridiculous.

A few follow-on comments to the plea for religious sensitivity make an effort to inform people about the Word of Wisdom (i.e., that it does not actually prohibit caffeine). One or two (found at Search Engine Roundtable) express appreciation for the thoughtfulness and respect shown by the original commenter. Most say that naming a search engine update “Caffeine” is about as inconsequential as it gets.

One Mormon, however, wrote the following:

“As a Mormon, I am also prohibited from using Java or javascript, as well as any WINE-based software. “

Not to worry. The Word of Wisdom says “every…fruit in the season thereof [is] to be used with prudence and thanksgiving” (D&C 89:11). For Latter-day Saints who want to keep their temple recommends, there is an alternative to Google. Mormons can now use Microsoft’s new search engine derived from cherries, “Bing”, with complete freedom.