The prevailing thought in Utah is that the byzantine "private club" laws, which require drinkers to jump through many hoops (such as signing up for a "membership") to get a drink in a bar, would never be changed unless the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it was OK.

A statement issued Monday by LDS leaders could signal that the church is not opposed to such a change, according to people interviewed by the Deseret News' Lisa Riley Roche.

Here's the key part of the statement that Gov. Jon Huntsman's office called "encouraging" and Sam Granato, head of the state's liquor commission, called "a healthy step":

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.

"This is huge. This is what everyone was waiting for," said Lisa Marcy McGarry, representing the Utah Hospitality Association. "A large majority of our Legislature is going to listen to the words of advice given by the LDS Church."

Don't start pouring yet, though. Any bill still has to go through the Utah Legislature - for whom "byzantine" is standard operating procedure - early next year.

Labels: alcohol laws, LDS