by hekebolos
(update w/ video X2) Prop 8: DEVASTATING internal memo from the LDS Church
You can see from my previous diaries that I have been all over the issue of Mormon donations to Prop 8. But just now, something positively devastating just fell into my lap. And my source says there’s a lot more where this came from.
I have received an internal memo from the Mormon Church dated March 4, 1997. This memo discusses strategies for what the memo calls "HLM" (gay marriage) in Hawaii and California (I assume that HLM refers to "homosexual legal marriage" but if you have your own preferred acronym, feel free to use it).
Like I said–this memo is devastating. And it demonstrates that they have been planning this Proposition 8 referendum for more than a decade.
Above is the first page of this memo. It indicates, as you see, that the Mormon Church had been planning to coordinate with the Catholic Church to defeat “HLM” in Hawaii and California. Below are images of devastating quotes from this memo.
This memo overtly discusses strategy for making sure that “HLM” doesn’t make any more progress than it absolutely has to:
States have been using...
#1 by Becky Stauffer - November 3rd, 2008 at 19:30
That’s a bombshell. And yet, I find myself not at all surprised.
It is indeed devastating to the church. The Mormon church has invested millions in advertising over decades to sell a certain public image — and this to help the missionary effort. Missionaries mean more members, means more income to the church. You can’t understate how important it is to the church to appear as nothing more than a spiritual, benevolent organization.
I wonder how ‘the’ church will respond to this. Have we heard?
#2 by Obama the Paul - November 3rd, 2008 at 19:30
http://crooksandliars.com/julia-rosen/prop-8-ad-upset-mormon-church
#3 by Cliff Lyon - November 3rd, 2008 at 19:54
As Posted Days ago
#4 by Kevin Owens - November 4th, 2008 at 10:35
Why is this ‘devastating’? The Church has made it clear that they oppose legalized gay marriage. They are quite clear and public about that. This memo doesn’t reveal anything new.
#5 by Danite Warrior - November 4th, 2008 at 11:01
How is it big news that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is against and will actively oppose Homosexual Marriage? There is nothing in this memo that is not keeping with the stated doctrines and policies of the Church. The LDS church believes that God condemns sin of all kinds and that includes homosexual conduct. It isn’t like the church is changing its stated positions. Until God himself through his prophets tells us that homosexuality is ok then we as Latter-Day Saints will continue to abhor it and condemn it as a damnable sin, but remember sins are forgivable. This is why Jesus died for them. All homosexuals and heterosexuals who have committed sin can repent and be washed clean. Jesus said “I will remember the sin no more”.
#6 by Becky Stauffer - November 4th, 2008 at 11:33
The problem for the church is that they have lost control of this story. They like to control how a story is told and spin it in a positive or at least a softened way so as not to alienate the public (a technique unknown to Danite Warrier who uses a club for all arguments). Mormons are always fighting a PR battle. Their sly, backroom political plotting going back over a decade will negate much positive effort on the part of the church, and will ultimately affect the missionary effort.
#7 by Allie - November 4th, 2008 at 11:51
A “damnable sin”? Really?
Lets not get carried away here.
On a semi-not-really-related note, I was talking with my Mister last night about how it’s too bad that church members hear something from the church leaders that maybe can possibly support some idea that they’ve already had, and make them get all carried away with it.
I don’t think the church really means for people to be so extreme about things. People just like to have things black and white, because the gray areas are messy and uncomfortable.
#8 by Becky Stauffer - November 4th, 2008 at 14:39
Here’s what’s devastating (setting the Mormon PR machine back decades):