Mormon church clarifies intent of President Boyd K. Packer's talk

SALT LAKE CITY — The official text of the October general conference address by President Boyd K. Packer, president of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was posted online Friday afternoon with acknowledged amendments, but not the type or magnitude of revisions gay-rights activists have called for in protests and petitions since the talk was given Sunday.

"The Monday following every general conference, each speaker has the opportunity to make any edits necessary to clarify differences between what was written and what was delivered or to clarify the speaker's intent," said Scott Trotter, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "President Packer has simply clarified his intent."

The Human Rights Campaign — the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, which has partnered with similar local groups — had criticized President Packer's talk for characterizing same-sex marriage as immoral and calling for what they claimed were inaccurate statements regarding same-sex attraction.

Added Trotter: "As we have said repeatedly, the church's position on marriage and family is clear and consistent. It is based on respect and love for all of God's children."

— Scott Taylor