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Mormon leaders decry same-sex marriage and 'counterfeit lifestyles' Mormon leaders decry same-sex marriage and 'counterfeit lifestyles'
(5 days later)
Mormon leaders once again used their semiannual conference to outline the faith’s commitment the belief that marriage is an institution exclusive to a man and a woman. Mormon leaders once again used their semiannual conference to outline the faith’s commitment to the belief that marriage is an institution exclusive to a man and a woman.
L Tom Perry, a high-ranking church leader, cautioned Mormons Saturday not to be swayed by a world filled with media and entertainment that makes the minority seem like the majority and tries to make mainstream values seem obsolete. L Tom Perry, a high-ranking church leader, cautioned Mormons on Saturday not to be swayed by a world filled with media and entertainment that makes the minority seem like the majority and tries to make mainstream values seem obsolete.
Perry said strong, traditional families are the basic units of a stable society, a stable economy and a stable culture of values. He said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would continue to be a leading voice on the issue.Perry said strong, traditional families are the basic units of a stable society, a stable economy and a stable culture of values. He said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would continue to be a leading voice on the issue.
“We want our voice to be heard against all of the counterfeit and alternative lifestyles that try to replace the family organization that God Himself established,” said Perry, a member of the faith’s Quorum of the Twelve. “We want our voice to be heard against all of the counterfeit and alternative lifestyles that try to replace the family organisation that God Himself established,” said Perry, a member of the faith’s Quorum of the Twelve.
The quorum is a governing body of the church that is modeled after Jesus Christ’s apostles and serves under the church president and his two counselors. The quorum is a governing body of the church that is modelled after Jesus Christ’s apostles and serves under the church president and his two counsellors.
The conference kicked off Saturday without the usual welcoming address from church president Thomas S Monson, 87, who officials said chose to reduce the number of speeches he’s giving this time. The conference kicked off on Saturday without the usual welcoming address from church president Thomas S Monson, 87, who officials said chose to reduce the number of speeches he’s giving this time.
He was present the at conferenceand is scheduled to give speeches later Saturday and again on Sunday. He missed a meeting this week with President Barack Obama, who was in Utah for a visit. He was present the at conference and is scheduled to give speeches later on Saturday and again on Sunday. He missed a meeting this week with President Barack Obama, who was in Utah for a visit.
During his speech, Perry recalled participating in the Colloquium on Marriage and Family in November at the Vatican with other faith leaders. He noted that there exists a shared belief among many faiths about the importance of marriage being between a man and woman.During his speech, Perry recalled participating in the Colloquium on Marriage and Family in November at the Vatican with other faith leaders. He noted that there exists a shared belief among many faiths about the importance of marriage being between a man and woman.
What sets Mormon belief apart, Perry said, is the notion that marriages and families are forever. What sets Mormon belief apart, Perry said, is the notion that marriages and families are for ever.
“Our marriage ceremonies eliminate the words ‘till death do us part’ and instead say ‘for time and for all eternity’,” Perry said.“Our marriage ceremonies eliminate the words ‘till death do us part’ and instead say ‘for time and for all eternity’,” Perry said.
As acceptance for gay marriage has swelled in recent years and same-sex unions have become legal in dozens of states, including Utah, the church’s stance on homosexuality has softened. But the religion has continually taken time during conferences to emphasize the faith’s insistence that marriage should be limited to unions between a man and a woman, as God created it. As acceptance for gay marriage has swelled in recent years and same-sex unions have become legal in dozens of states, including Utah, the church’s stance on homosexuality has softened. But the religion has continually taken time during conferences to emphasise the faith’s insistence that marriage should be limited to unions between a man and a woman, as God created it.
In April 2014, Neil L Andersen of the quorum said: “While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not.”In April 2014, Neil L Andersen of the quorum said: “While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not.”
In the October 2013, Dallin H Oaks of the quorum said human laws cannot “make moral what God has declared immoral”.In the October 2013, Dallin H Oaks of the quorum said human laws cannot “make moral what God has declared immoral”.
Perry wasn’t the only leader who spoke about marriage Saturday morning. Perry wasn’t the only leader who spoke about marriage on Saturday morning.
Boyd Packer, president of the quorum, spoke about the joy of romance and love, preaching “a cookie and a kiss” as key ingredients of successful marriages. Linda Burton, general president of the church’s Relief Society, an organization for women, urged spouses to be more caring and compassionate. Boyd Packer, president of the quorum, spoke about the joy of romance and love, preaching “a cookie and a kiss” as key ingredients of successful marriages. Linda Burton, general president of the church’s Relief Society, an organisation for women, urged spouses to be more caring and compassionate.
At the outset of the conference, the faith’s third-highest ranking leader, Dieter F Uchtdorf, instead of Monson, welcomed 20,000 in attendance and millions more watching broadcasts around the world.At the outset of the conference, the faith’s third-highest ranking leader, Dieter F Uchtdorf, instead of Monson, welcomed 20,000 in attendance and millions more watching broadcasts around the world.
Church spokesman Dale Jones said in a statement that Monson has chosen to reduce his number of talks this weekend. Officials said he skipped the meeting with Obama on Thursday night to preserve his strength for the conference.Church spokesman Dale Jones said in a statement that Monson has chosen to reduce his number of talks this weekend. Officials said he skipped the meeting with Obama on Thursday night to preserve his strength for the conference.
Monson has missed only one other welcoming speech at a conference since he was named president in February 2008. That was at the fall conference in October 2011.Monson has missed only one other welcoming speech at a conference since he was named president in February 2008. That was at the fall conference in October 2011.
In the Mormon faith, which counts 15 million members worldwide, church presidents are considered living prophets. Monson is the 16th president of a faith founded in 1830.In the Mormon faith, which counts 15 million members worldwide, church presidents are considered living prophets. Monson is the 16th president of a faith founded in 1830.
Monson’s wife, Frances Monson, died at the age of 85 in May 2013.Monson’s wife, Frances Monson, died at the age of 85 in May 2013.
When Monson took office in 2008, he was already a familiar face and personality to the church. A bishop at the age of 22, Monson became a church apostle in 1963 and served as a counselor for three church presidents. When Monson took office in 2008, he was already a familiar face and personality to the church. A bishop at the age of 22, Monson became a church apostle in 1963 and served as a counsellor for three church presidents.
Monson has kept a relatively low profile during his tenure, but he’s given dozens of speeches during the conferences.Monson has kept a relatively low profile during his tenure, but he’s given dozens of speeches during the conferences.
The semiannual Mormon conference runs Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 people will file through the church’s conference center over five sessions. The semiannual Mormon conference runs on Saturday and Sunday in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 people will file through the church’s conference centre over five sessions.
The church holds two conferences each year.