Anti-Gay LDS Activities     

It's not in their best interests to just declare it publicly but the Mormon Church — properly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — would like to see their doctrines about sex and relationships become law in the State of California. In a letter to Latter-day Saint (LDS) church-goers read aloud last May in every congregation in California, LDS leaders wrote: "A broad-based coalition is being formed to work for passage of [a] traditional marriage initiative. As details about the coalition become available we will provide you with information about how you might become involved." Elsewhere in the letter LDS Church authorities asked their members to support the initiative by donating personal resources and time to push their agenda forward.

The letter directly refers to a state ballot initiative that will be voted upon in March of next year. If approved, the initiative will define "marriage" in such a way that will prevent people in same-sex relationships from ever having their unions validated and recognized by the state government.

The LDS Church defends its actions with moral fervor and the standard "family values" line. They claim that by denying gays and lesbians the right to legal marriage they stand for the preservation of traditional families. In a statement to the San Francisco Examiner, LDS spokesperson Don Rascon contends, "this is a moral issue, not a political issue." Whether this slant is intentionally duplicitous, or merely in bad faith, the reality is that the LDS Church is mobilizing members of their organization to make Mormon morals the law of the land in California and elsewhere.

Even if you agree with the LDS Church that gay and lesbian marriages should not be legally recognized, the mere fact that the Church aims to ensconce its religious beliefs into public policy should pique anyone's political sensibilities. The Church's efforts to impel its members to political action is not only a threat to the equality of gays and lesbians, but also to the equality of women, and moreover to the separation of church and state.

Yes, The Bible says it is unnatural for two people of the same sex to want to "lie together." But, the Good Book also endorses some forms of polygamy. Mormons still teach that polygamy may again be practiced in God's kingdom some day. How does that square with the traditional family values that the LDS Church claims to promote? Who's tradition are we talking about here, anyway?

The next time you're approached by Mormon missionaries, you should talk to them just to get a sense of what we'd be in for if LDS values became the norm. Do you know that they are not supposed to come within arm's length of someone of the opposite sex for the two full years that they're doing their service? Imagine what it would be like to spend 24 hours a day with a companion of the same-sex, never leaving his or her side except for the vital personal time you might spend on the toilet or in the shower. And, don't you dare masturbate while you're in there; that's not allowed either.

During regular worship services, LDS men and women split up for one hour each week to participate in their "separate but equal" intra-church organizations. Men attend their "Priesthood Quorum" meetings in which they discuss their responsibilities as leaders with the authority to act in God's name. Women attend "Relief Society" meetings in which they discuss homemaking, familial care-taking, and the blessings of being nurturers within the Kingdom of God. Women are not entitled to priesthood authority to act in God's name and are barred from holding most leadership positions. Only men hold authoritative offices; that's God's law, too.

Considering how far to the right the LDS Church is, it seems important to remember the reasons the Ten Commandments were not written into the U.S. Constitution. One religion cannot be allowed to have legal influence and control in this country. The Constitution was designed to protect religious pluralism and to prevent the legislation of policies that one religious majority would impose on others. Although the Christian Coalition was dealt a blow this month when they were denied tax-exempt status by the IRS, the Mormon Church is poised to be the next powerhouse of the Religious Right if proper checks aren't put in place soon.

By giving its members this directive to promote their institutional interests through the CA ballot initiative, the LDS Church is drawing itself into an area of policy where it does not belong. And, they know it. Why else would LDS authorities deny the political nature of their intentions? These latter-day prophets may be the very wolves in sheep's clothing that the New Testament warns about, pundits intentionally obscuring the fact that they are pushing politics from the pulpit, plain and simple.

Frank is a freelance writer and doctoral student studying Philosophy and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. His column, Assumptions, is nationally syndicated and runs biweekly. He can be reached via email at fs94@columbia.edu.

Copyright © 1999, Frank Morris Susa.