Next door in Utah, a libertarian streak crosses with Mormon values -- with just a touch of Tea Party flavor -- to lead to a new law that makes gold legal tender:
Utah has a strong conservative streak, but there are other reasons why it was first to pass such a law. For many of its supporters, the new law represents an extension of the notion of preparedness that is nurtured by Utah’s powerful founding institution, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of the law’s supporters believe policies like stimulus spending, the bank bailout and national health care will soon bankrupt the government, sending inflation soaring. Owning gold and silver, they say, will help protect people. “It’s kind of written into our theology that we’re supposed to be prepared for any eventuality,” said Mr. Nelson, who was involved in early meetings with state lawmakers about the law.
