QUEER QUOTE: Mormon Big Wig Releases Non-Apocalyptic Statement On Marriage Equality

Neil M. Andersen is a member of the hierarchy in the Mormon Church so it is a big deal when he issues  a statement reiterating his religion's opposition to marriage equality which does not have apocalyptic (or homophobic) undertones. At the annual LDC meeting in Salt Lake City, the meme of the Quorum of the 12, the Church's highest body, said:

"While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. He designated the purpose of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults, to more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared and nurtured."

Some may quibble with my characterization that today's Queer Quote is not homophobic, but compared to previous statements from Mormon leaders about homosexuality, this is very mild indeed. Previously, another Quorum of the 12 Member said that human laws can not "make moral what God has declared immoral."

The reason why this statement is a step forward is because it doesn't claim that the church's position on marriage or morality has to be the state's position on those issue for everyone. So, in that way,it is a step forward to acknowledging they have lost the cultural war and will only be making policy for adherents, not the rest of us. That's a good thing!