These pages will help the news media, the public and Church members better understand The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ involvement in supporting Proposition 8.

Letter from the First Presidency to California Latter-day Saints
This letter, regarding Proposition 8, was sent from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008.

The Divine Institution of Marriage
This in-depth article explains the importance of protecting the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

ProtectMarriage.com
This is the official Web site of ProtectMarriage, a coalition supporting Proposition 8.

PreservingMarriage.org
This Web site provides multimedia resources to help Latter-day Saints and others better understand the Church’s position on Proposition 8.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World
This proclamation, released by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1995, emphasizes the importance of the family.

Interview With Church Leaders on Same-sex Attraction
This interview was conducted with Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, and Elder Lance B. Wickman, a member of the Seventy. They answer questions about the Church’s stance on the marriage issue specifically and on homosexuality in general.

Video: Discussion With Elder David A. Bednar
Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, discusses Proposition 8 and same-sex marriage with a group of young adults.

Video: Broadcast to Church Members in California
Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton talk to Californian Church members about becoming involved in supporting Proposition 8.

Video: “I Support Proposition 8”
Young adults from California discuss their involvement in preserving traditional marriage.

Video Resources: PreservingMarriage.org
Additional videos explaining the Church’s stance on this issue are available on PreservingMarriage.org

Church Readies Members on Proposition 8 – 8 October 2008
At the request of the Protect Marriage Coalilition, members of the Church were asked to call friends, family and fellow citizens in California to urge support of the effort to defend traditional marriage. 

Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes – 5 November 2008
The Church responded to voters choice to amend the California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Catholic Bishop Decries Religious Bigotry Against Mormons – 7 November 2008
Statement by Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and former Bishop of Salt Lake City, in response to attacks on (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for supporting California’s Proposition 8.

Church Issues Statement on Proposition 8 Protest – 7 November 2008
This release was in response to protests targeting the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.

First Presidency Urges Respect, Civility in Public Discourse – 14 November 2008
The First Presidency issued a statement about the democratic process and urged mutual respect and civility towards each other.

Measured Voices Provide Reason, Support Amidst Proposition 8 Reaction – 21 November 2008
Following the passing of Proposition 8 in California, the Church released statements urging civility and reaffirming its position on the issue.

Prop 8 Backlash Is “An Outrage That Must Stop,” Group Says in Support of Church – 5 December 2008
The Church expressed appreciation to The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and was signed by scholars, dignitaries and religious leaders from a variety of faiths for  a full-page advertisement in The New York Times that decries the “violence and intimidation” directed toward the Church because of its support of Proposition 8.

Church Clarifies Proposition 8 Filing, Corrects Erroneous News Reports – 2 February 2009
The Church clarifies erroneous news reports following the filing of its final report on donations to the ProtectMarriage.com coalition.

Media Reports on Proposition 8 Filing Uninformed – 4 February 2009
The Church filed all necessary reports over the course of the campaign in compliance with California state law.

Church Response to California Supreme Court Decision on Proposition 8 – 26 May 2009
The Church issued a statement following the California Supreme Court Decision on Proposition 8.

Statement Regarding FPPC Settlement – 8 June 2010
This statement was in response to media inquiries regarding a proposed fine by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The fine relates to the Proposition 8 campaign of 2008.

Church Statement on Proposition 8 Ruling – 4 August 2010
This statement was given in response to the ruling by Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al.