LDS moms hold vigil against Prop. 8

Updated: 11/02/2008 10:41 pm | Published: 11/02/2008 6:07 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - It was an emotionally charged issue with some Mormon moms in Utah Sunday night, who urged defeat of a California measure.

Proposition 8 would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage. For three moms it was personal. With just two days left before Californians go to the ballot box on Prop. 8, Mormon moms who have gay children wanted a way to show their support against the proposition so they came up with a way to show that support---a candle light vigil.

They came in spite of a stormy night, nearly 500 strong, holding flickering candles amidst a drizzly sky that broke long enough for three Mormon moms to speak. “I'm so touched that you would be here with us tonight,” said Mormon Mom, Millie Watts, with a voice pitched high with emotion.

The LDS Church has asked their members to support Prop. 8 in California because it believes the sanctity of marriage should only be between a man and a woman, a stance that the three Mormon moms say has divided LDS families who have gay children. “I have experienced many emotions: crying, anger, disappointment and betrayal, mostly due to the actions of my church,” said Watts.

Watts has a lesbian daughter and gay son. She told the crowd her children should have the right to marry. “I want to celebrate and validate the marriages of my gay children,” comments that brought an eruption of cheers and applause. ABC4 asked Watts if she wrestled over her support that pits her against her church she said, “My heart aches over it, it's not a wrestling thing, I just feel hurt over what the Church has done.”

ABC4 called a spokesman for the LDS Church but it is its policy not to comment on such matters.

A similar vigil was held simultaneously in St. George. Several gay support groups helped get the word out Including Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, to which Watts belongs.

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frogger - 11/6/2008 10:44 PM

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Why would the Church accept their doctrine to accept an abominable doctrine by every Christian faith. Are you dumb? It has nothing to do with tearing down a "wall". Why are you folks so dumb? This doctrine will never change. Marriage between gay or les-bian is an abomination, and always has been, and always will be. I'm glad to see it passed and that there are human beings with common sense and common decency left on this planet. Opposing Prop 8 has scary side effects. It may not seem like a religious issue, but it is. Accept this fact. Those Christians with true faith will stand against abomoniation. "IN GOD WE TRUST"!!

bigot - 11/4/2008 9:04 PM

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I have a dream, Prop 8 will fail in California. Just like the African American struggle for the end to discrimination, hate and bigotry, and the Suffrage and ERA movements, homosexuals will also get to the promised land. Prop 8 will show the Mormon church their is no room in their religion for hate, bigotry and division. President Monson tear down this wall! I see a day when all mormons open their hearts and doors of their wards and stake centers in full legal recognition of rights of their neighbors and co-workers. Keep the dream alive!

frogger - 11/4/2008 9:48 AM

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macgar, you missed my point entirely. Marriage between man and woman is scriptural, from the beginning of time. Maybe not everything the prophets say is inspired, but what you're assuming is no prophet, whether in scripture or not, has ever been inspired. (You're looking for a way to justify evil). I pose this question though. Some people claim to have the "natural" tendency to have sex with minors or young kids. Is this "natural" tendency correct even though it's something many say they cannot control? Absolutely not. It's unacceptable, disgusting, and wrong and is not tolerated in society. Some would argue that it's a "natural" tendency to seek a partner of the same sex. It's along the same lines as I'm talking about "natural tendencies", regardless of what they are. All I'm saying is, I believe there are "perceived natural tendencies". Is this one of them? My opinion is that this is a evil tendency because I'm Christian and do believe that prophets of the Old and New Testament were inspired.(even if only a few were inspired, they ALL speak out against it) The marriage of man and woman is ordained of God and anything contrary is unnatural. I do appreciate the quotes and facts you've brought up. We all know men aren't perfect and make mistakes, even those in high places. I can judge for myself that which I feel is right and wrong. Gay/Les-bian marriage I feel is wrong and is an evil tendency, whether it be natural or developed. BUT I can be accepting and tolerant of those that wish to do it. But it can't encourage it and legalize it.

bigot - 11/3/2008 7:00 PM

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Who decides what is right and wrong? Point your fingers elsewhere in self righteous indignation Mormons. Some of us get past the following kind of discrimination and bigotry, while some stay mired in it. "“Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so.” Journal of Discourse Volume 10

macgar - 11/3/2008 4:06 PM

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From those LDS who read more than the annual distributed Sunday school/RS/Priesthood manuals......yes you would call us "liberals" as we like books! Here are some useful quotes:- Apostle Charles W. Penrose, who would later serve as counselor to President Smith, declared: "President Wilford Woodruff is a man of wisdom and experience, and we respect him, but we do not believe his personal views or utterances are revelations from God; and when 'Thus saith the Lord', comes from him, the saints investigate it: they do not shut their eyes and take it down like a pill." (Millennial Star 54:191) President George Q. Cannon taught: "The First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility. The infallibility is not given to men. They are fallible." (Gospel Truth, 1:206) President Harold B. Lee, said, “It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they write."(Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company., 1974), 162.) Joseph F. Smith said, "We talk of obedience, but do we require any man or woman to ignorantly obey the counsels that are given? Do the First Presidency require it? No, never." (Journal of Discources (JD) 16:248 So which one of these Prophets is false and lost the spirit? We are LDS long enough to recognise the recent emergence of the infallibility and obedience line. This is a Catholic dogma which we have always been taught was false!!!

macgar - 11/3/2008 4:04 PM

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From the LDS who read more than the annual distributed Sunday School/RS manuals......yes you would call us "liberals" as we like books! Here are some useful quotes Apostle Charles W. Penrose, who would later serve as counselor to President Smith, declared: "President Wilford Woodruff is a man of wisdom and experience, and we respect him, but we do not believe his personal views or utterances are revelations from God; and when 'Thus saith the Lord', comes from him, the saints investigate it: they do not shut their eyes and take it down like a pill." (Millennial Star 54:191) President George Q. Cannon taught: "The First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility. The infallibility is not given to men. They are fallible." (Gospel Truth, 1:206) President Harold B. Lee, said, “It is not to be thought that every word spoken by the General Authorities is inspired, or that they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost in everything they write."(Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company., 1974), 162.) Joseph F. Smith said, "We talk of obedience, but do we require any man or woman to ignorantly obey the counsels that are given? Do the First Presidency require it? No, never." (Journal of Discources (JD) 16:248 So which one of these Prophets is false and lost the spirit? We are LDS long enough to recognise the recent emergence of the infallibility and obedience line.

frogger - 11/3/2008 12:47 PM

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condone=condemn previous two posts.

frogger - 11/3/2008 12:41 PM

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The question is, do you or don't you support GAY/Les-Bian couples? If you do,vote against. If you don't, vote for. The Church's view is crystal clear and they will do what they can to protect what they see as "true revealed" doctrine. If you belive the Church to be true, you're a hipocrite by voting against Prop 8. Ditch your religion because you obviously don't believe it. Those mothers against Prop 8 are in open rebellion against their leaders and are APOSTATE. There is no other way to say. It's time for them to move on to a religion that requires less and is more open to "popular" views, rather than God's views.

frogger - 11/3/2008 12:37 PM

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Well, there definately is a strong debate for either side, but think of it from the Church's standpoint. The marriage of a man and woman is ordained of God. They should do everything they can to protect. I can be tolerant of gay/les-bian couples, and the Church is ALSO tolerant of gay/les-bian couples, but it's wrong. The Bible and most, if not all, Christian doctrine condones it. If you are a "true" Christian, regardless of your childs sexual preferance, then you support Prop 8 and be "tolerant" of your children, of course. If you're against prop 8 because of your child or what have you, then you don't have the faith to be a "true" Christian. No? Am I wrong? If my Son starts killing people, should I stand against laws that prohibit people from killing? It's a deep issue and requires deep reflection. Just because your kid does something that is wrong, and this is debateable anyway, doesn't mean it is not RIGHT and that you should support it. Honestly!

Momma Mare - 11/3/2008 12:09 PM

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I heard there was also a vigil being planned for tonight in Provo but I cannot find where or when. I want to go and take my family. This prop and the attitudes behind it break my heart. I don't understand the thinking of religions that seem to be saying, "We damn you for engaging in forbidden relations and we are going to 'double-damn' you by making sure those forbidden relations are fornication." That seems so un-Godlike to me. There was a time that mentally ill people were condemned as witches or heretics -- before mental illness became understood. I am NOT saying homosexuality is a mental illness; I am simply saying that we now understand so much more about it. Must we condemn those who live this life? Much greater things can be accomplished with love, understanding and acceptance.

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