LDS church issues statement to members on gay marriage

The LDS church is reiterating its stance against gay marriage to members after last week’s Supreme Court ruling.

Local leaders are to read “Response to the Supreme Court Decision Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage in the United States” on Sunday or July 12 to adults and youth groups in a meeting other than sacrament meeting.

“Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established,” wrote the church’s First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, its two highest governing bodies, in a statement Monday. “God expects us to uphold and keep his commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said members should treat those with disagreeing opinions with respect.

You can read the statement in full here.