Mormon church voices view on gay marriage

Associated Press/October 19, 2004

Salt Lake City -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement opposing gay marriage on Tuesday, two weeks before Utah voters decide a proposed constitutional amendment on the question.

The nearly 150-word statement says that only men and woman should be married, and "any other sexual relations, including between persons of the same gender, undermine the divinely created institution of family."

The Mormon church had said in July it supported the idea of a constitutional amendment against gay marriage, but wouldn't speak specifically to Utah's.

The new statement could be a late push to sway Utah voters who will consider the amendment Nov. 2, though the church declined to elaborate on its motives.

There is broad support in Utah for a gay marriage amendment, though opponents argue it could endanger Utah's common law marriage statute and endanger the rights of unmarried straight couples.

The Mormon church claims 12 million members worldwide - 6.6 million of them outside the United States.