Salt Lake City (AP) – A high-ranking Mormon leader reiterated the church’s opposition to gay marriage, but he urged members to be gracious toward those who believe differently.
Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve said during the faith’s biannual conference Oct. 4 that the strong tide legalizing same-sex marriage is among current world values that challenge Mormon beliefs.
But Oaks spent considerable time in his speech preaching the value in being kind and understanding of others with different beliefs.
“Though we disagree, we should not be disagreeable,” Oaks said. “Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious.”
The church’s stance on homosexuality has softened in recent years, but this is third consecutive conference in which leaders have said marriage should be limited to a man and a woman, as God created.
In October 2013, Oaks said human laws cannot “make moral what God has declared immoral.” At this year’s April conference, Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not.”
