To Bishop Willie Dunn Jr. of the World Wide Gospel Church, marriage is the "moral fiber of society."

That's why he and 60 other religious leaders from around the state have decided to endorse Amendment 3, which would define marriage as the union of "a man and a woman" in the state constitution.

"We think we need to stand up and let the public know we are for traditional marriage," Dunn said. "One man, one woman. That's honored by God."

The mostly Evangelical leaders are the first to publicly endorse Amendment 3.

In their endorsement of the amendment, the pastors said they hoped the second part, which prevents any other "domestic union" than a marriage from being given the "same or substantially equivalent legal effect," would be interpreted narrowly by the courts.

Opponents to the proposed amendment have said that wording could prevent unmarried couples from basic legal protections from hospital visitation to inheritance, and prevent them from gaining any protections in the future.

Nancy Pomeroy, spokeswoman for Utahns for a Better Tomorrow, which supports the amendment, said there will be more religious endorsements coming for the measure, which she said won't impact any existing legal rights for anyone.

The Rev. Mike Gray, said he hoped the amendment wouldn't be misused to hurt anyone.

"Let's hold marriage in honor as what it is," said Gray, pastor of Southeast Baptist Church. "If I'm going to err, I'd rather err on the side of doing something."

The state's largest religion — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which accounts for about 66 percent of the state's population — has not specifically endorsed Amendment 3. It has issued a statement of support of "a constitutional amendment preserving marriage as the lawful union of a man and a woman."

The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City also hasn't taken a stand on the amendment.

Gray knows he's a religious minority in Utah and said he hopes the LDS church will "clearly" support Amendment 3.

Opponents to the measure have also sought religious support. Three churches are listed as alliance partners on the Web site of the Don't Amend Alliance campaign. Scott McCoy, Don't Amend campaign manager, said he's also gotten positive support from the Evangelical church and some Jewish leaders.

McCoy said it's telling that the religious leaders have acknowledged the same concerns of other opponents — that the amendment could be interpreted broadly and prevent more than same-sex marriage.

"I'm not surprised at all that the Evangelical churches are in favor of the amendment. . . . I'm pleasantly surprised they expressed hope that the second part wouldn't be abused," he said. "I hope that too, I'm not willing to take the risk."

---

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com