Affirmation, the national organization of gay, lesbian and bisexual Mormons, has denounced a recent LDS church directive counseling Mormon church members to support a bill that would change California’s current marriage law by refusing recognition to same-sex marriages validly performed in other states. Such a change would violate the principles of full faith and credit that govern interstate relations. The directive came in a letter from Loren Dunn, the LDS church leader responsible for an area that includes California, read over the pulpit in LDS chapels on January 28, 1996.

Affirmation points out that Mormon leaders should know better, since the church itself suffered a long history of persecution for attempting to practice polygamy which, though no longer practiced outside of its temples, it still believes to be the highest order of marriage and family. Jim A., an Affirmation member and former local leader in the church, said, "I phoned Loren Dunn’s office in Salt Lake to let him know I felt it offensive and reprehensible that something like this would be read from the pulpits. It was akin to the time in the ‘70’s when the local leaders would pass out copies of sample ballots to the members to show them the ‘right’ way to vote in the upcoming elections." In response, the member was told, "Well, that's just your problem, isn't it?" and then was hung up on.

Affirmation’s position is that rather than the church telling members to vote for prejudice, the church should be happy that gays and lesbians may soon have the opportunity to enjoy the civil benefits that accompany committed relationships and contribute to family stability, social order and individual well-being. It is inappropriate and unfair for the church to misuse its moral authority to support efforts to deprive not only its own members but all homosexual Californians of the right to have their marriages protected by law.