From Deseret News archives:
LDS Church supports gay-marriage bans
Official stand does not back specific amendments
The statement issued by the church's governing First Presidency reads: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints favors a constitutional amendment preserving marriage as the lawful union of a man and a woman."
While the statement said the church isn't endorsing a specific amendment, spokesman Michael Otterson said it shows support of all proposed constitutional amendments banning gay marriages.
The church statement comes just days before Monday's scheduled debate in the U.S. Senate on the Federal Marriage Amendment (SJR 30), which would constitutionally define marriage as "the union of a man and a woman."
The proposed Musgrave-Allard amendment would federally ban gay marriage and would not allow states to be required to recognize other domestic unions. It would need two-thirds of the votes in each the House and Senate before going to the states for ratification.
Church sources said the timing of the statement indicates LDS leadership wanted to express its general support for traditional marriage, without endorsing a specific amendment. The sources said the church wanted to avoid the political debate and not get involved in the semantics of specific legislation.
While the church's statement clearly backs both proposed constitutional amendments, Scott McCoy, head of the Don't Amend Alliance, which is opposed to the state Amendment Three, said it's telling that the LDS statement did not endorse any specific amendment.
"I don't think this is a setback for our campaign," McCoy said. "Our campaign has said all along that this isn't about the traditional definition of marriage."
He said in addition to banning same-sex marriages, the state amendment would prevent same-sex couples from rights such as inheritance, adoption and health insurance.
Recent comments
Really? They feel it's a moral issue? The issue isn't about morality,...
Myles Anderson | Oct. 8, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.
- Americans' net worth inches higher 9:27 p.m.
- Utah Valley honors ex-CEO 9:27 p.m.
- IRS gets new, green bldg in Ogden 9:25 p.m.
- Yahoo expands 'tweet' search 9:22 p.m.
- Relief plan helps few borrowers 9:22 p.m.
- Nielsen dumps its trade journals 9:21 p.m.
- Everton in talks about Donovan 9:19 p.m.
- Bone drugs may help prevent cancer 9:19 p.m.
- U. scientist finds dino carnivore 9:14 p.m.
- Kobe leading All-Star voting 9:08 p.m.
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Few details on missing W.V. mom
- Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Defense witness goes on offensive
- BCS = power conference monopoly
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- I-15 expansion barreling south
- 5 officers lose their certification
- Y.'s Emery bruised, but rarely beaten
- Letters: Global warming a lie
256 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
193 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
163 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
149 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
142 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
124 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
119 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
There was a time when free shipping was rare. This holiday season, you...
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
My wife Lisa and I would prefer never to argue. But that's not going to...
Do you want them to look the other way when they come across a law being broken?
Mr Vincent, If you belive in your heart that you don't pay enough taxes......
Why shouldn't he get approval if the project is a good one? Should he be...
To: Re: Lame | 7:34 p.m. Dec. 10, 2009 He is a senior. I don't even know...
Isn't this the guy who got up and gave a speach declaring the war is...
I agree with Lowell and laugh at both of us, but I love The Muppet Christmas...
With the collective bargaining agreement possibly changing in the NFL, rumor...
In 2006, the parliament of France courageously rejected same-gender marriage...
I'm sorry but you must have never seen sports outside of Utah. Texas 1500...
Why would a junior with worse numbers get the award if the senior out did him...


