The Utah Hospitality Association asked the US District Court in Salt Lake City last week to ignore all statements by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding Utah's liquor laws. Ken Wynn, a member of UHA's board, said, "The LDS Church carries a big foot in this state and influences legislation. We are suggesting the LDS Church butt out of legislation regarding liquor. I doubt that will even happen, but at least we are bringing that to the attention of the people" ("Liquor suit seeks to silence LDS Church", Deseret News, Wednesday 2 November 2011, A7). What! Make the Church stop speaking its own views, when the Constitution says all have freedom of speech?! The Mormon Eagle proffers the only reason the Utah Hospitality Association want the LDS Church to shut its mouth: "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center" (1 Nephi 16:2). UHA won't say that this is the reason, however; every right-thinking, Constitution-upholding American will agree with The Mormon Eagle, because under that Divine sheet, all have a right to be heard, no matter what. It is clear the UHA does not understand law at all. They have no right to attempt to quash any religion from speaking its mind, for the LDS Church has the same right as the UHA to do so.
This issue the UHA has against the LDS Church can be settled by an appeal to the scriptures, as to what they have to say about law, and what the UHA cannot do. The Lord has said that the Consitution is a "constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles" (D&C 101:77). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "No government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience" (D&C 134:2). If the Utah Hospitality Association feels to complain more so of the LDS Church, then let them; they are only fighting against the God of Heaven and Earth, and will perish. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
This issue the UHA has against the LDS Church can be settled by an appeal to the scriptures, as to what they have to say about law, and what the UHA cannot do. The Lord has said that the Consitution is a "constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles" (D&C 101:77). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "No government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience" (D&C 134:2). If the Utah Hospitality Association feels to complain more so of the LDS Church, then let them; they are only fighting against the God of Heaven and Earth, and will perish. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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