The statement posted on the church's Web site earlier this week makes no mention of the industry's push to abolish private club membership fees people must pay before they can buy a drink. But it does acknowledges that a proposed liquor-law reform measure is likely to come before the 2009 Legislature and it suggests that reasonable dialogue is possible.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that Utahns, including those who work in the hospitality industry, can come together as citizens, regardless of religion or politics, to support laws and regulations that allow individual freedom of choice while preserving Utah's proven positive health and safety record on limiting the tragic consequences of overconsumption of alcohol," the statement says.
"I see this statement as a positive sign," said Bobbie Coray, a nondrinking member of the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which is drafting proposed legislation to do away with membership requirements. "Church leaders are showing that they are willing to discuss all options."
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s office also read the statement as a positive sign.
"It's encouraging to realize all the stakeholders are willing to engage in this process as we discuss potential ways to improve our law," Huntsman's spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said.
Earlier this year, Huntsman said he would like to see changes to Utah liquor laws that would eliminate private clubs that require patrons to become members and pay fees before they can buy mixed drinks.
The law is seen by many in the state's hospitality industry as a hindrance to tourism.
"The LDS Church statements is saying that we can all sit down and discuss this," said Lisa Marcy, attorney for the Utah Hospitality Association. "It's encouraging because none of us will pretend that the LDS Church does not have a significant influence on legislative decisions. There is a deep connection between the LDS Church and the Legislature, and nobody believes otherwise."
Many credit the LDS Church with the state's regulation against selling flavored malt beverages in grocery and convenience stores. That ban goes into effect Oct. 1.
Marcy said she agrees with the LDS Church's call for regulations to limit overconsumption, reduce drunken driving and eliminate underage drinking. She objected, however, to the statement's contention that "consumption of alcohol is a significant contributor to death and disease in the United States."
"It is overconsumption, not consumption that produces these tragic results," she said.
LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter didn't add any further comment to the statement.
The leadership of the LDS Church has not said one way or the other how they stand on abolishing private membership requirements - which would be the biggest change in Utah liquor laws in nearly 40 years. In May, however, church leaders said in a statement that they are withholding comment until a final proposal is produced.
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control had been drafting a bill to abolish private club membership requirements, which lawmakers are expected to take up when they convene again in January. But commissioners put the proposed legislation on hold until after the November elections.
dawn@sltrib.com
