The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cares deeply about the quality of life in Utah, home to nearly two million of its members — 13 percent of total membership — and the Church’s worldwide headquarters. The Church's concern, however, is not to promote the health code we embrace as Church members, but to support legislation that advances the safety and well-being of all state residents, particularly minors, and to avoid the societal costs and harms that often result from alcohol excess consumption and abuse, underage drinking and DUIs. The Church also believes strongly that alcohol policy in Utah is closely tied to the moral climate of the state and legislation should not enable, promote or contribute to an “alcohol culture.” Nevertheless, the Church does not contest the fact that alcohol is socially acceptable in our society and should be available to those who want it.

...In broad terms, Utah’s alcohol laws and regulations are based on well-reasoned and sound public policy considerations adopted by Utah’s legislature, not on the Church’s religious doctrine regarding the use of alcohol. Utah’s policies regarding alcohol control have served the state well and should be retained. The Church is opposed to any legislation that will weaken Utah’s alcohol laws and regulations, including (1) privatization of the alcoholic beverage control system; (2) increases in alcohol license quotas; (3) permitting sales of heavy beer, wine and distilled spirits in grocery and convenience stores or allowing direct distribution of these products outside the state control system; and (4) any other proposals that would promote increased sales or consumption of alcoholic products in Utah.

The Church also strongly supports maintaining the important distinctions between restaurants and bars. This includes retaining the current provisions that require the separation in restaurants of alcoholic beverage storage and dispensing functions from dining areas and patrons, the requirement of “intent to dine,” the 70%/30% food to alcohol ratio requirements for restaurants, and different hours of operations for restaurants and bars.

News stories on the issue of alcohol control and regulation often focus only on the issues some Utah restaurant, club and hotel owners face in dealing with Utah alcohol laws. While their concerns as citizens should be heard, the evidence of Utah’s better than national average metrics in matters of public safety and lower costs to society for individuals, families and society as a whole greatly outweighs those concerns. News media, particularly Utah-based media, need to think more broadly when telling these stories. Explaining the uniqueness of Utah's laws without acknowledging that each state has its own unique set of alcohol laws and regulations and without examining data establishing the significant societal benefits resulting from Utah’s well-reasoned and longstanding public alcohol control policies creates inaccurate public perceptions and makes for uninformed public debate.