Amsterdam is the home of the World Conference on Families to be held in August, 2009. Having attended the conference in Mexico City years ago, I can tell you that it is an invigorating, eye-opening, worthwhile investment to attend. An international network of pro-family organizations, scholars, leaders and interested advocates and individuals from more than 60 countries join hands in an effort to underscore the value of family, and to promote measures to strengthen the family. A declaration is written by those who convene to re-affirm the place that family values have among the world’s populace, in spite of efforts for activists to show that it is archaic or outdated.

This is a non-denominational effort to restore the family.

From my own denominational point of view as a Mormon woman, these Conferences are critical to the dissemination of information and to the cohesiveness of the coalitions to protect families. Mormons believe that gender and families are eternal in nature, and not mere constructs. The family unit is seen as one that will exist beyond this life for those who live according to the light they have and who then will one day have complied with all that is required to have eternal life. To learn more about what matters to Mormons visit LDSBlogs or mormonbeliefs.org. For an official site, visit lds.org or mormon.org.

United Families Utah Petition

I’m asking each of you to please read and stand firm on protecting marriage in Utah, by signing this petition on behalf of United Families that counters Equality Utah’s set of proposed bills, ultimately intended to change our voted-upon Constitutional Amendment on marriage.

Click HERE to read why this petition is so important

UNITED FAMILIES UTAH – PETITION

UNITED FAMILIES UTAH
STAND FOR THE FAMILY PETITION

I, the undersigned, recognize that these are defining moments in the preservation of marriage and family in Utah. Marriage and family are the foundation of society and should receive the highest protection under the law.

Currently, Utah legislators are convening to discuss a series of bills called The Common Ground Initiative–aimed at providing the gay community equivalent status as married couples in securing marriage benefits.

I understand that the ultimate goal of this legislation is to overturn Utah’s Constitutional Amendment 3, voted on by the people of Utah in 2004, which preserves marriage and allows no other union to have equivalent legal status before the law (See Bill 6).

I agree that these bills are an attempt to secure a package of rights equivalent to marriage…

And, while I, and those who oppose these bills, have much compassion for those who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgendered (LGBT community)…

I must draw the line in the sand and stand up for preserving the institution of marriage and family, religious freedom, and the future rights of our children.

I also acknowledge that there are rights for the LGBT community available through contractual processes already in place.

I, therefore, join with United Families Utah in standing strongly for the family and call upon all public officers and legislators in the State of Utah to oppose this package of bills.

This petition is available to sign on the UnitedFamilies.org website.

Thanks for your support.

LaVar Christensen

LaVar, and attorney and former Representative to the Utah State Legislature,  is now speaking to us at the Eagle Forum Convention in Sandy, Utah. His sincerity is tangible.  He begins with where we are, in a place where there is seldom any reference in Connecticut, California, and Massachusetts to the fact that most states have created laws to protect the definition of marriage in their sate.  They ignore the 200 years of precedent in family law and our society.  He remarks,

As we sing, as we pray, it’s important to remember the context of the current marriage debate. . . .

How did we ever arrive at a place where a President puts his hand on the Bible to take the oath, but isn’t as free to open and quote from it. (more…)

Dear friends,

Many of you have expressed an interest in the issues related to the protection of marriage in California, Utah, nationally, and internationally. Please read the following information on a series of proposed bills hitting the legislature at this time.

If you agree that these are to be opposed, to protect the existing Utah amendment on marriage and to prevent a very slippery slope, please sign the petition at the bottom and forward this to people you know who are concerned about preserving the legal recognition of marriage and family in Utah. 

Also, our legislators need backing from their constituents.  They cannot represent you if you do not tell them how you feel! There is a link at the bottom to contact them. Just call or email and let them know your thoughts.

Thank you so much! Karen Merkley, Director of Public Policy for United Families Utah

January 7, 2009

Equality Utah Works to Overturn Constitutional Protection of Marriage

At the beginning of a new year, January 2009 brings renewed goals, and hope for prosperity and peace, but it also brings with it five new bills designed by Equality Utah, a group actively pursuing political support in “securing rights and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community” to create public confusion while usurping Utah’s Constitutional Amendment 3 that passed in 2004 – with the hope of a powerful ally. (more…)