SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A leak among the ranks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' leaders in California is ruffling some feathers Monday night.
A letter from the First Presidency of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City was supposed to be read in Sunday services this upcoming weekend. Somehow a copy of the letter got out early.
The LDS Church rarely takes an official stand on political issues, but on Friday, the First Presidency sent a letter to the highest worldwide church leaders and California's local LDS leaders.
The letter refers to the vote coming up on November 4 on California's proposed amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
The church leadership wrote, "The Church's teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator's plan for His children." The letter continues with, "We ask that you do all you can to support the constitutional amendment...to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman."
The letter is disappointing to members of the group "Affirmation." They call themselves a support group for members of the LDS Church who are gay or lesbian.
Affirmation’s executive director said he is very disappointed by the letter. He said, “Like all Mormons, the members of Affirmation believe strongly in the worth and sanctity of families - all families.”
A spokesman for the LDS Church said the letter is authentic but had no further comment.
