Official Position of The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-Day Saints on Federal Marriage Amendment to the United States Constitution

See my political blog to find truth about McCain's vote AGAINST the Federal Marriage Amendment (http://politicaljunkyfood.blogspot.com/)

These quotes speak for themselves. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially supports and urges members to support the Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Church Leaders Urge Members to Contact Representatives in Support of Marriage
On May 25, the First Presidency sent a letter to priesthood leaders in the United States, reaffirming the Church's support of marriage between a man and a woman as the only acceptable marriage relationship, and urging members to “express themselves on this urgent matter to their elected representatives in the Senate.”
On June 6, 2006, the United States Senate will vote on a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution defining marriage as consisting “only of the union of a man and a woman” and that “marriage or the legal incidents thereof” should not be “conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and woman.”
In the May 25 letter, the First Presidency reiterated “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” stating: “In that proclamation we said: 'We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.' ”
The Church has previously issued three statements in support of a constitutional amendment on marriage: April 24, 2006 (www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,4044-1-23253,00.html), October 19, 2004 (www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,3881-1-20336-715,00.html), and July 7, 2004 www.lds.org/newsroom/showrelease/0,15503,4044-1-19733,00.html).
In April 2006, the Church added its voice to other religious bodies in the United States calling for a constitutional amendment designed to protect the traditional institution of marriage. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, representing the Church, added his signature to a letter signed by religious leaders across the nation that called for a constitutional amendment establishing the definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman. “We are convinced that this is the only measure that will adequately protect marriage from those who would circumvent the legislative process and force a redefinition of it on the whole of our society,” states the letter (http://www.religiouscoalitionformarriage.org/).
(http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,40-1-3442-12,00.html)

OFFICIAL PRONOUNCEMENT
"Religious Marriage Coalition
Salt Lake City, UT 24 April 2006 SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees with many other religious bodies and leaders that an amendment to the Constitution of the United States is necessary to protect and preserve the institution of marriage between a man and a woman. The Church has previously issued two statements in support of a constitutional amendment on marriage. As stated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

Because national campaigns on moral, social or political issues often become divisive, the Church urges those who participate in public debate — including its own members — to be respectful of each other. While disagreements on matters of principle may be deeply held, an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect is most conducive to the strength of a democratic society." (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/religious-marriage-coalition
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-leader-speaks-at-the-u-s-capitol-to-protect-marriage
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-leader-speaks-at-the-u-s-capitol-to-protect-marriage
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639320/posts)

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is supporting a [Federal] constitutional amendment to declare what marriage will be. And people say, “Why has the federal government made law on it?” Well, the federal government today is making law through life-tenured judges, not through popularly elected legislators. And what used to be a state question for legislative lawmaking is now a federal question for judge decision, and that’s why there’s support for a constitutional amendment.” (Dallin H Oaks, includes a detailed legal explanation of why the Church officially supports and asked members to ask their elected representatives to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/elder-oaks-interview-transcript-from-pbs-documentary)

“PUBLIC AFFAIRS: On the issue of a Constitutional amendment prohibiting same-gender marriage, there are some Latter-day Saints who are opposed to same-gender marriage, but who are not in favor of addressing this through a Constitutional amendment. Why did the Church feel that it had to step in that direction?
ELDER OAKS: Law has at least two roles: one is to define and regulate the limits of acceptable behavior. The other is to teach principles for individuals to make individual choices. The law declares unacceptable some things that are simply not enforceable, and there’s no prosecutor who tries to enforce them. We refer to that as the teaching function of the law. The time has come in our society when I see great wisdom and purpose in a United States Constitutional amendment declaring that marriage is between a man and a woman. There is nothing in that proposed amendment that requires a criminal prosecution or that directs the attorneys general to go out and round people up, but it declares a principle and it also creates a defensive barrier against those who would alter that traditional definition of marriage.
There are people who oppose a federal Constitutional amendment because they think that the law of family should be made by the states. I can see a legitimate argument there. I think it’s mistaken, however, because the federal government, through the decisions of life-tenured federal judges, has already taken over that area. This Constitutional amendment is a defensive measure against those who would ignore the will of the states appropriately expressed and require, as a matter of federal law, the recognition of same-gender marriages — or the invalidation of state laws that require that marriage be between a man and a woman. In summary, the First Presidency has come out for an amendment (which may or may not be adopted) in support of the teaching function of the law. Such an amendment would be a very important expression of public policy, which would feed into or should feed into the decisions of judges across the length and breadth of the land.” (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/same-gender-attraction)


CHURCH ENCOURAGES MEMBERS TO "PROMOTE" FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT TO THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
The following letter has been sent by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 26, 2006, to church leaders in the United States:

"We are informed that the United States Senate will on June 6, 2006, vote on an amendment to the federal Constitution designed to protect the traditional institution of marriage.

We, as the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, have repeatedly set forth our position that the marriage of a man and a woman is the only acceptable marriage relationship.

In 1995 we issued a Proclamation to the World on this matter, and have repeatedly reaffirmed that position. In that proclamation we said: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
We urge our members to express themselves on this urgent matter to their elected representatives in the Senate." (full text: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,635210757,00.html
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/letter-from-first-presidency-of-the-church-to-church-leaders-in-the-united-states)

Church Leader Speaks at the U.S. Capitol to Protect Marriage
“Salt Lake City, UT 5 June 2006
WASHINGTON — Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — the second-highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — joined other religious leaders today in Washington, D.C., to speak in support of a constitutional amendment protecting marriage.

At an Alliance for Marriage press conference at the U.S. Capitol building, he said:
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pleased to be represented in this significant cause. While those of us here today represent a broad spectrum of religious diversity, we are firmly united in our declaration that marriage of a man and a woman is ordained of God. The sanctity of marriage and family constitutes the spiritual undergirding of lasting and successful societies.

“Together we share a duty to preserve marriage and family as established by God. The time has now come when a constitutional amendment is needed in this country to protect our divine inheritance. Such action does not reduce our regard for individuals who choose to live by other standards. But it confirms our conviction that marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue and the foundation for eternal exaltation.

“In 1995, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a proclamation to the world on the family. From it I quote: ‘We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.’ Thus we unite with other religious leaders who also are committed to preserve and promote that same objective.” (http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-leader-speaks-at-the-u-s-capitol-to-protect-marriage)

Church Supports Call for Constitutional Amendment
“Church Supports Call for Constitutional Amendment,” Ensign, July 2006, 74
In April Church leaders added their voices to those of the leaders of many other religions in support of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect and preserve the institution of marriage between a man and a woman.
“We take the unprecedented stand of uniting to call for a constitutional amendment to establish a uniform national definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman,” states a letter signed by American religious leaders, including Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “We are convinced that this is the only measure that will adequately protect marriage from those who would circumvent the legislative process and force a redefinition of it on the whole of our society” (“A Letter from America’s Religious Leaders in Defense of Marriage,” http://www.religiouscoalitionformarriage.org).
The doctrine of the Church affirms marriage between a man and a woman, and it opposes same-gender unions and any other sexual relations outside of marriage.
“The union of husband and wife assures perpetuation of the race and provides a divinely ordained setting for the nurturing and teaching of children,” stated a news release based on a letter dated February 1, 1994, from the First Presidency to priesthood leaders. “This sacred family setting, with father and mother and children firmly committed to each other and to righteous living, offers the best hope for avoiding many of the ills that afflict society.”
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” states, “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
Because national campaigns on moral, social, or political issues often become divisive, the Church urges those who participate in public debate to be respectful of others.
“We can and do work with those of other religions in various undertakings in the everlasting fight against social evils which threaten the treasured values which are so important to all of us,” President Hinckley said in April 1998 general conference. “These people are not of our faith, but they are our friends, neighbors, and co-workers in a variety of causes. We are pleased to lend our strength to their efforts. But in all of this there is no doctrinal compromise. There need not be and must not be on our part. But there is a degree of fellowship as we labor together” (“We Bear Witness of Him,” Ensign, May 1998, 4–5).
The Church has previously issued two statements in support of a constitutional amendment on marriage—on July 7, 2004, and on October 19, 2004.
The October 2004 First Presidency statement reads: “We of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reach out with understanding and respect for individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender. We realize there may be great loneliness in their lives but there must also be recognition of what is right before the Lord.
“As a doctrinal principle, based on sacred scripture, we affirm that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. The powers of procreation are to be exercised only between a man and a woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
“Any other sexual relations, including those between persons of the same gender, undermine the divinely created institution of the family. The Church accordingly favors measures that define marriage as the union of a man and a woman and that do not confer legal status on any other sexual relationship.”(“News of the Church,” Ensign, Jul 2006, 74–79; http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=28ede2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1)