Affirmation, a group of LGBT Mormons, reacted strongly to the news that the Latter Day Saints were getting active in Minnesota. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints put out a letter to Minnesota’s Mormon temples last week, according to a Minnesota blogger. Affirmation asked the LDS to reconsider its efforts in Minnesota.
Key Lime Piety, a blog written by a Minnesota Mormon, recounted an experience at their temple on Sunday:
I could feel my blood pressure rising as I braced myself for whatever rhetoric was about to be unleashed. The gist of the letter was an explanation of the ballot initiative next November – if it passes, the state constitution would amend article XIII to read, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.” The letter did not come out and say which way to vote but the underlying message was clear. We were advised to remember the family is a fundamental unit of society and to read the Proclamation on the Family and prayerfully consider how to get involved. It concluded with a reminder that church buildings and directories are not to be used for political purposes – with this caveat – unless otherwise directed.
Affirmation released a statement saying,”We ask church members to prayerfully consider the consequences of their involvement in denying their brothers and sisters who are not attracted to the opposite sex the opportunity to be blessed with companionship in this life and to formalize this through a legal commitment to each other.”
The Mormon Church generated a great deal of controversy in 2008 when it gave large sums of money and material support to pass Prop 8 in California. The proposition ended marriage rights for same-sex couples in that state after narrowly passing in the November election.
Here’s the full statement:
Re: Letter released by LDS Headquarters regarding Minnesota Marriage Equality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In response to the letter read this Sunday in all Minnesota LDS congregations by order of the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City:
Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons agrees with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon) in their belief that the family is a fundamental unit of society; that the marriage of two committed and loving individuals is ordained of God; and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the happiness of all God’s children.
We also believe that children should be reared by loving parents who honor their commitment to each other and their family.
However, Affirmation unequivocally asserts that God still knows that “it is not good that man should be alone” and that having a helpmate is a marvelous blessing to those who find one on this earth; that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender couples are as capable of raising children as successfully as Heterosexual couples; and that love is the guiding principle in the determination of the comprising of a family unit.
We ask church members to prayerfully consider the consequences of their involvement in denying their brothers and sisters who are not attracted to the opposite sex the opportunity to be blessed with companionship in this life and to formalize this through a legal commitment to each other.
Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons
www.Affirmation.orgJoshua Howard Behn, President
Randall Thacker, Senior Vice President
Robert Moore, Vice President
Olin Thomas, Executive Secretary