We reported earlier on the 1997 memo addressed to LDS elder Elder M. Russell Ballard which outlined the Mormon church’s entry into anti-gay politics more than eleven years ago. Ballard went on to become a key leader in the political campaign to pass Proposition 8 in California. We now have a copy of the entire memo in full, which highlights the church’s efforts to ban same-sex marriage in Hawaii.  Interesting points include expressions of satisfaction that the leaders of the Hawaii campaign were not publicly identified with the Mormon church despite being members. You can download it by clicking ...

An eleven year old internal LDS memo has emerged which proves that the Mormon church has been plotting against same-sex marriage for more than a decade. The memo, dated March 4, 1997, provides inside into the late LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley’s strategy for opposing same-sex marriage. It describes a meeting in which Hinckley gives the go ahead, but urged caution. According to the memo, “he (President Hinckley) also said the (LDS) Church should be in a coalition and not out front by itself.” In fact, the LDS church has been way out front in its battles against gays and lesbians, both ...