California issue subject of broadcast
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A recent midweek evening satellite broadcast involving three General Authorities and a specially developed Web site are examples of the Church's homestretch efforts to help pass a California state constitution amendment supporting traditional marriage.
On Nov. 4, California voters will consider Proposition 8, which would amend the state constitution to provide that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
Voters there in 2000 approved a state law with similar language, but the California Supreme Court in May called the law unconstitutional. Proposition 8 was placed on the November ballot when more than one million Californians signed a petition to qualify the measure for consideration by the voters.
Were Proposition 8 to fail, Church leaders see long-term ripple effects with consequences affecting children and freedoms of speech and religion, said Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy and president of the North America West Area. "Those are the kinds of issues that worry us."
In an Oct. 8 satellite broadcast to California priesthood leaders and Relief Society leaders, young single adults, young married adults and members involved in campaign efforts, Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Clayton discussed the doctrine of marriage, Protect Marriage Coalition efforts and the impacts on religious liberties and on children if the proposition does not pass.
"These doctrines of family and marriage were established in the beginning," said Elder Ballard, adding although many in the world may question them, we cannot walk away from them or alter them."
The broadcast also showed examples of how some members in California have been involved in the Proposition 8 campaign.
Besides being received by California meetinghouses, the broadcast was also picked up at BYU and at Institutes of Religion in Utah for California-resident college students "because they're registered voters in California," Elder Clayton said.
The Church has developed a Web site, preservingmarriage.org, with materials and videos in support of the campaign. One video features Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, who answers questions from young adults.
While the Church is neutral to parties and candidates in political matters, "this is a moral issue, and that's why we became involved," said Elder Clayton.
The Church is participating with the Protect Marriage Coalition. This organization has roots in the 2000 election that passed traditional-marriage into state law.
The Church has joined a coalition of Catholic and Evangelical, community groups and individuals to support traditional marriage and its role in society by seeking the passage of Proposition 8.
Latter-day Saints in California have participated in volunteer campaign efforts, such as distributing literature and contacting households in neighborhoods, displaying yard signs and bumper stickers and making donations.
Upon request from the Protect Marriage Coalition, the Church has encouraged California members to call family, friends and fellow voters in the state to provide information on Proposition 8 and encourage support to defend traditional marriage.
E-mail to: taylor@desnews.com
