(LDS Temple -Salt Lake: Wikipedia)

The leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) has issued an official response to the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. A letter supporting traditional marriage and prohibiting same-sex marriages and celebrations in their churches and on their properties has been sent out to be read on July 5 in all of their churches in the USA and Canada. From the document:

…Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well?being of society. … Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and vital to eternal salvation.

A family built on marriage of a man and a woman is the best setting for God’s plan of happiness to thrive. …

Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. …

Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same?sex marriages. Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they respect our standards of conduct while there. …

<Read the whole Document>

Response: Every religion, denomination, church and Christian organization in America will now have to clearly declare where they stand one way or another on same-sex marriage.  No exceptions. Well, maybe the Muslims will get a free pass.

Look for the liberal mainstream churches to come out eventually for it and the Catholic and Orthodox and most Evangelical churches and denominations against. Actually the current language being used by the main stream media is not really correct or fair since most of us who support marriage between one man and one woman do not agree with any redefinition that includes same-sex unions. We believe that marriage was defined and ordained by God at the beginning of creation and no government agency including SCOTUS has the right to change it.

The Mormon Church is among the first to commit. Those of us who support Biblical teaching and theology can do nothing but compliment their stand in this case and their timing.

The letter is a clear and unambiguous stand by the Mormons for traditional marriage by God. It also clearly states that no one in their denomination has authority to perform same-sex marriages and unequivocally declares that none of their churches or properties may be used for that purpose or even for receptions or activities associated with it. A model that other churches might want to consult in writing their own declaration.

In the meantime, Christian legal organizations are suggesting that churches and Christian organizations need to clearly define their stands on same-sex marriage and homosexuality in their organizational papers. Several legal groups have offered help in this process. Here’s a link to some guidelines from Pacific Justice Institute.                *Top

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