I’ll never forget the first time I went to Utah as an adult. This was before I was a Church member, and when I used to occasionally go to bars. So, I went to a bar in Trolley Square. I had to pay a $1 “membership fee” and fill out a card with my name and address before I could order a drink. Quaint.
Apparently, Utah may be ending this practice soon. Take a look at this Wall Street Journal article here.
Now that I am a Church member, I am of two minds about this law.
The first is that, of course, such a law is out-dated, doesn’t prevent drinking, is judgmental, a Prohibition-era stipulation that embarrasses the entire state. This is probably what about 90 percent of the people who hang around and comment in the Bloggernacle are likely to think. And it’s difficult to disagree with them.
But another part of me likes the idea that Utah is different than the rest of the country. I like hearing comments from people like, “can you believe I went to Utah and had to pay a membership fee to get a drink?” It sets us apart and reminds people that we are a bit different, that we take our religion seriously. You can still get a drink, but it’s a bit tougher than elsewhere. I have to admit I kind of like that.
It will be interesting to see what happens to this law as it wends its way through the legislative process. Will the Church make a public pronouncement on it? I’ll guess we’ll find out. Meanwhile, I’m going to go get a drink…of water.