In the Aftermath of the Recent Election

I have enclosed a well written letter that expresses,  my views as well.

Dear Friends,
 
In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause.  Our young people have been especially subject to mean spirited comments by high school friends and teachers.  We have nothing to be ashamed of.  We did nothing wrong.  In fact, we did everything that a civic minded American can and should do.  I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better.  For example:
 
1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California.  There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.
 
2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote.  If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.
 
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign.   Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
 
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign.  Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.
 
5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations.  The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
 
6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8.  Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8.  Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.
 
7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8.  This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama.  No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.
 
8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).
 
9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations.   Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8.  It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California.  Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.
 
10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8.  Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self.  Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with “civility, respect and love,” despite their differing views.
 
11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state.  This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” The phrase “separation of church and state”, which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law.  U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues.  The Church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.
 
12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens:  they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process.  For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way.  Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse.  The fact is, we simply did what Americans do – we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted. 
 
 
These are my personal opinions and thoughts; any errors are mine and in no way reflect official Church policy or doctrine. 
 
 
Thanks,
 
Kevin Hamilton

Yes on Prop 8 Wins Narrow Margin in California

We must believe in the election process.  We must know that this process is government “by the people and for the people.”  The people of California have spoken again by their votes as to their desires regarding Proposition 8 and the Supreme Court of California needs to recognize and trust the election process as well.  If we cannot have this voice to know that our vote counts in what we truly believe in then come anarchy and chaos.  I believe in this country and I know that it was founded on truths and freedoms.

For all who have worked tireless hours on Proposition 8 I add my thanks and appreciation.  This important proposition that will now become an amendment to our state’s constitution would not have happened without the many phone calls, those who passed out materials, those who displayed bumper stickers and lawn signs, those who stood on street corners and waved banners, those who made videos, raised and donated money, and all who voted.  We can celebrate and rejoice this is a good thing!  YEAH!!

Our Last Battle But Not Our Last War

As we stand on the virtual battlefield, we look out and see the vastness of this field.  We feel strength or we feel discouraged but whatever we are feeling we need to feel hopeful.  We have done our best to fight this battle as we fight this war.  We must be proud in what we have put forth in this battle.  We must continue to not let our guard down as this battle is soon ending but the war is far from over.  We must be strong and continue to pray for strength and courage to continue to stand firm in our belief.  We will continue to be tested in our beliefs.  We must be strong so that we can withstand the opposition’s fight.  They are relentless and we must not be faint.  We must rely on the Lord and His ever strength.  We must be do what it takes to be counted upon as one who can take us to the finish line with courage and with honor.  All those who have given time, money, and given up sleep to do the many tasks that have been asked of us in the battle to pass Proposition 8 I commend you for accepting these tasks as part of restoring traditional marriage in this state of California.  May God be with us and go forward with honor.