 Although only a small minority of church leaders were opposed to vaccination, one of them, Charles W. Penrose, used his position as editor of the "Deseret News" to promote the view that the authorities had no right to mandate vaccination.The school board voted to allow the unvaccinated children into school in defiance of the health board, lawsuits ensued, and Cooper was put in the position of needing to decide which orders his employees should obey.After the board denied his request to address them about his concerns, he objected he "never again" wanted to be on a board where he was not allowed to speak and was told he "might not have the opportunity".