The couple also isn't too concerned about a recent LDS Church statement that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God," and urging members to "do all you can to support the proposed (California) constitutional amendment."

Bennett and Hunt seemed to agree, however, the statement is indicative of the need for the separation of church and state.

"I'm not going to tell people what they should and shouldn't believe," Bennett said. "In a perfect world, no one would try to tell me what I should or shouldn't believe."

When asked why they would go through so much trouble for a legal document that won't stand up in Utah, Hunt replied, "because it means more ... It's a good thing to do, even though it's not recognized in the state of Utah."

It's important enough to the couple that they've tried to marry before. They happened to be in San Francisco in 2004 when the mayor there authorized same-sex marriages. However, the couple was daunted by long lines at City Hall and an inability to gather information about things like residency requirements.

Then, the couple planned a trip to Portland, Ore., to wed, but by the time they got there, same-gender marriages had been halted. And, when the Massachusetts Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, the couple had discussed traveling there but never made the trip when they learned that only state residents could be married in that state.

"Each time we planned it around another activity," Hunt said. "I'm taking him to a concert for our honeymoon."

Bennett smiled confidently and gently held Hunt's hand as he said, "This time it's going to happen."

Still, both are aware of the reality their license likely won't change things. In the worst-case scenario, it will still be up to a hospital to decide whether or not to allow them to make medical decisions for each other.

They are hopeful the license will help with employers when obtaining domestic-partner benefits. And they plan to use the license as evidence of their relationship when they sign up for Salt Lake's new mutual commitment registry.

They're also hopeful that, eventually, things will change and their marriage will be retroactively recognized in the state they call home.

In the meantime, Hunt said the couple will continue to enjoy their lives together.

"We have a good life," he says. "We have a lot of fun."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com