I'm going to try out a new type of post, that I'll call 'Book Notes,' which consists of things I come across in my reading that I think are worth mentioning. Rather than attempting to give lots of background and analysis, either on the topic or the book, I will simply convey what the particular author has written. If it's convenient, I may add some additional outside information. [I have since decided to put all book posts under the book notes category.]
From Mormonism in Transition, by Thomas G. Alexander (p. 195):
Early in the twentieth century the idea of mandatory smallpox vaccination was controversial in Utah. Mainstream medicine was growing in favor among the Saints, but there were many who shunned it. [In fairness, mainstream medicine was only beginning to be trustworthy.] Millenialism and belief that righteous living and the power of the priesthood would protect them, led some to oppose mandatory vaccination.
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As editor of the Deseret News Charles W. Penrose opposed manditory vaccination on the grounds of personal liberty. Although it seems he represented the minority of church leaders, many took Penrose's position as representative of church leadership. The Utah legislature overrode Governor Heber M. Wells's veto to pass a bill prohibiting compulsory vaccination, thus "subjecting Utah children to disease for many years." Twenty years later the First Presidency and the Twelve would finally support compulsory vaccination.
The controversy illustrates two tensions in Mormon society. First, many valued individual libery over the general non-church welfare and would invoke the doctrine of free agency to avoid compulsion. Second, in an apparent effort to make Church leaders at least appear unified and harmonious, the First Presidency and Twelve generally avoided public debate. General Authorities generally did not publically speak out against the position of other General Authorities, thus the first position to reach the public, whether through publication or rumor, was viewed by many as having Church support (something that also played an important role in Utah politics, as is discussed elsewhere in the book).
Here is an excerpt from a speech given by Joseph F. Smith (Improvement Era, August 1910):When I was on missions I was called to administer to the sick, who were ill with almost every kind of disease. It was not uncommon that we were called to administer to those who were sick with small pox. For myself I dared not turn away from the call of the sick, and I administered to some of them, when, owing to their appearance, it was almost impossible to tell that they were human beings, for they had the disease in its worst form. My guardians had taken the precaution, in my youth, to have me vaccinated. I took the disease, but had it in mild form, so that it did not leave even a mark upon my body. I am as satisfied as I can be that had it not been for vaccination, I would have had the disease in very bad form. I believe that our elders ought to be vaccinated. Now, I know that this will not be in accordance with some people's views. We receive word that many of our elders, who have failed to attend to this matter, are exposed to the disease and become affected with it; and recently a number of them have had to be taken to the pest-houses to be cared for.
Of course, smallpox has since been eradicated through vaccination. Since the risk of adverse effects of vaccination now outweigh the risk of getting the disease, the public is no longer vaccinated.
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