The divine institution of marriage

IntroductionThe California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was

legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society,

the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a

coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a

November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California

state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a

woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can

be found at www.protectmarriage.com).On June 20, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church distributed a

letter about "Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening

Families," announcing the Church's participation with the coalition.

The letter, which was read in Latter-day Saints' church services in

California, asked that Church members "do all [they] can to support the

proposed constitutional amendment."Members of the

Church in Arizona and Florida will also be voting on constitutional

amendments regarding marriage in their states, where coalitions similar

to California's are now being formed.

The focus of

the Church's involvement is specifically same-sex marriage and its

consequences. The Church does not object to rights (already established

in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing

and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not

infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of

churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion

free from government interference.The Church has