Two equal points from this weeks church letter

With a letter directed to all members (read here) LDS church leaders clarified their belief in and commitment to heterosexual unions.

The letter read: "Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to his plan for his children and for the well-being of society." Changes in "civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established," the letter continues. "God expects us to uphold and keep his commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society."

The letter accompanied with a slew of information and background materials was sent to leaders of LDS congregations to share with members -- as per church spokesman Eric Hawkins -- but not in sacrament meeting. The information was intended to be a catalyst for discussion. Members were instructed "to meet with all adults, young men and young women on either July 5 or July 12 in a setting other than sacrament meeting and read to them the entire statement."

The letter and the information presented make it clear that regardless of what civil authorities dictate, Mormon officials "will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex... and the church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions or other activities associated with same-sex marriages."

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as per the letter, have the right to "express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family and morality free from retaliation or retribution." Due to Religious freedom stipulations in the First Amendment, the SCOTUS ruling does not require that any church recognizes gay marriage unions.

Meanwhile, back at the farm...

While all this affirmation of religious rights is going on, there is an equal message in the same letter given to the membership of the Mormon letter,  "... to love and treat all people with kindness and civility — even when we disagree."

"We affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same-sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully," the letter states. "Indeed, the church has advocated for rights of same-sex couples in matters of hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment, and probate, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches."

These LGBT protections -- those concerning employment housing and fair treatment (the very same protections that had difficulty being heard in years past) -- breezed through the legislative process after the LDS church jumped on the bandwagon, or rather, pulled those supporting LGBT legislation onto their wagon. 

Bottom line?  There are two points the church wants to make.

1) The LDS church supports marriage between a man and a woman only.

2) Everyone is to be treated with respect regardless of their beliefs.