Many people don’t fully understand the Mormon position on homosexuality and gay marriage. Given the publicity that the church received for backing California’s Proposition 8 in November of 2008, many people are curious about the church’s beliefs on homosexuality and the reasons for their opposition to same-sex marriage.
Mormon Beliefs about Marriage
Old and New Testament scriptures, as well as modern-day revelation from the current leadership of the church, constitutes the Mormon position on marriage and marital relations. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always held a simple, straightforward position on sexuality and marriage: physical intimacy is reserved for the sacred institution of marriage between a man and a woman.
The Proclamation on the Family
In 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued an official declaration entitled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” It reads that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.” Mormons believe that God instituted marriage and gave instructions for its use from the beginning of the world.
The final paragraph of the Proclamation adds, “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”
Who Defines Marriage?
In an interview with LDS Newsroom, church official Lance B. Wickman asserts that “marriage is neither a matter of politics, nor is it a matter of social policy. Marriage is defined by the Lord Himself and is not an institution to be tampered with by mankind… There is no such thing in the Lord’s eyes as something called same-gender marriage.”
Marriage may be recognized by governments, but governments did not invent marriage. Mormons believe that marriage between a husband and wife is a religious law extending back to the creation of the world, and that governments are overstepping their boundaries by redefining what isn't theirs to define in the first place.
Purpose of Marriage
It’s important to understand that Latter-day Saints see marriage as more than a contract between two individuals. The purpose of marriage is to be a foundation for a family composed of mother, father, and children. Being part of a family is one of the ultimate reasons for our life on earth and is necessary for exaltation. Church official Dallin H. Oaks reiterates that the primary purpose of marriage is not just to solidify a couple’s commitment to each other. “Co-habitation under any guise or title,” Oaks says, “is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.”
California’s Proposition 8
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints garnered lots of attention in November of 2008 by supporting Proposition 8, which amended California’s constitution to prohibit legally recognizing same-sex marriages. Why should Mormons care what others do? Wickman answers that any institution, including marriage, “can only have one definition without changing the very character of the institution… a redefinition of that institution, therefore, redefines it for everyone.” The church doesn’t object to rights regarding hospitalization or medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights for homosexual couples. It only objects to redefining marriage itself. The church recently released The Divine Institution of Marriage, an in-depth article explaining its official position on same-gender marriage.
Mormon Attitudes toward Homosexuals
That is not to say that the church advocates or tolerates any bigoted or hateful behavior toward any homosexual individual or group. Former president Gordon B. Hinckley said, “our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse.” Mormons unequivocally believe that all people on this earth are children of God, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other factor. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that as brothers and sisters, we should treat each other with kindness and respect.
An emotionally charged issue like same-sex marriage involves highly personal and important values. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposes gay marriage in order to defend the institution of marriage as God defines it, not to punish or discriminate against any group of people.
For more on the official Mormon position on family, gender, and parenting, see Mormon Family Values.
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