[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I called at the State Capitol and told Governor Henry G. Blood that I would not feel to condemn him if he saw fit to sign the bill allowing beer to be manufactured in Utah to be exported outside of Utah. Neither would I condemn him if he signed the other bill. I did not tell him I hoped he would veto the cigaret (sic) bill but I certainly do. I am harassed with doubts as to whether or not he should sign the other. If he doesn't sign the bill permitting the manufacture of beer for exportation it means ruin for Mr. Becker, who has been absolutely fair since the time of the Eighteenth Amendment, and I do not think has manufacutred (sic) a drop of alcoholic liquors to sell. He cannot hope to sell Becco and other soft drinks if beer is permissible. He read me a couple of letters from Richard R. Lyman that annoyed me very much, because they intimated that Brother Blood would be untrue to his religion and everything else if he did not sign these bill
s. (1)
-- Jun 22, 1933
First Presidency and apostles decide that "the Church as an organization could not take part in the campaign for the repeal of the 18th Amendment since this [is] a partisan political question. It [is] hoped however that all L.D.S. would vote against repeal [of national Prohibition]." Thirty-five years later, LDS hierarchy reverses this decision and participates actively in campaign against liquor-by-the-drink in Utah as "moral issue." (2)
-- 1933. July 27
(James E. Talmage) : Died at seventy-one of a throat infection complicated by overwork into acute myocarditis. He had stayed in his office at 47 East South Temple overnight July 23, suffering from a slightly irritated throat which was not relieved by his favorite drink, root beer. He remained in his office on the 24th, but on the 25th was so ill he required help getting home. (3)
-- Dec 9,1933
[Utah] Church News article "Mormonism in The New Germany," enthusiastically emphasizes parallels "between the LDS Church and some of the ideas and policies of the National Socialists." First, Nazis have introduced "Fast Sunday." Second, "it is a very well known fact that Hitler observes a form of living which Mormons term the Word of Wisdom. Finally, due to the importance given to the racial question by Nazis and the almost necessity of proving that one's grandmother was not a Jewess, there no longer is resistance against genealogical research by German Mormons who now have received letters of encouragement complimenting them for their patriotism." (4)
-- December 30, 1933
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I had a talk with President Ivins and told him I was in favor of all of the General Authorities resigning as directors of the Utah Hotel, because I felt they would simply have to sell beer and it would be better for us to be out of it. He did not agree with me. We decided to call a directors meeting, however, for Tuesday to decide just what to do with regard to selling legalized beer. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
