27 thoughts on “Federal judge strikes down Utah’s ban of same-sex marriage”

1. New Post: Federal judge strikes down Utah’s ban of same-sex marriage: http://t.co/c9kWprP4y1… http://t.co/WDGWsjyss7 #LDS #Mormon

2. Doesn’t this now mean that Utah can take it to the supreme court and we can have the court decide up or down on whether or not marriage laws are controlled by state law?

3. TheMillennialStar: Federal judge strikes down Utah’s ban of same-sex marriage http://t.co/kobSCrFKNW #lds #mormon

4. I would think so. Impossible to know for sure how the court will rule because Kennedy could go either way. (so to speak).

5. Yeah, Kennedy is definitely bisexual.

6. As Andrew Jackson said about a Supreme Court decision he didn’t like: “Justice Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it.”

   I presume this will be stayed on appeal. But if not, I can’t imagine any county clerk in the state would willingly issue a marriage license to two people of the same sex.

   But this does put a new twist on the prophecy of the last days that there will be “marrying and giving in marriage.”

7. I wonder if Mark B intended the irony with his Jackson quote or if he merely thinks the quote is cute.

8. Not only did I not intend any irony (Worcester v. Georgia was never enforced–he stayed in jail despite the Court’s decision), but I’m too tired this afternoon to detect whatever irony you think is in the comment.

9. According to reports, SL County has allready issued marriage certificates.

10. This proves once and for all that we the people have no power. None. Not one bit. The United States is a no longer even a Republic, much less a Democracy. It is now officially an elitist tyranny. The most frustrating thing is there is nothing that can be done about it. People are too scared or comfortable to even fight.

11. This is the time that devout, faithful, Mormons, hold the feet of the non-devout, faithless Mormons to the fire.

    Anyone who voted for Obama lead to this monstrosity.
    I would not have fellowship with any such apostate.

12. God may shake his head and even weep at such a tragic misuse of agency. But his arms are still outstretched!

13. h_nu, I don’t think Obama has much to do with this. Many of these so-called Judges were appointed by Republicans. The problem is that most judges cannot be held liable to the people. This is the greatest weakness I find in the Founder’s concept of government branches. Instead of one tyrant such as a king (that subsequent Presidents have overstepped described boundaries), we now have from six to more than 800 voter revoking judges ready to pass judgement on what is and isn’t lawful for citizens. I have always felt that the President has a right to higher them, but the people have a right to vote them out. Perhaps that needs to be an amendment to the Constitution if it becomes possible.

14. His arms are still outstretched, up until when the mountains shall flow down with fervent heat, and He approaches with garments of red, with justice in his wings.

15. We all knew this was coming. Once states started legalizing SSM, there was no turning back the snowball effect. If one judge declares Utah’s statute unconstitutional, what’s to stop judges from applying it to every other state? I’m just a little surprised that it struck Utah so soon. So much for state sovereignty.

16. The pro-SSM movement knows that in order to get laws overturned is to bypass the will of the people through courts or state legislation/general assemblies. Interestingly, Wikipedia page on SSM was immediately updated to include Utah as the 18th state to legalize SSM.

17. “This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment – to love one another.”

    “As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness.”

    “The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.”

    “There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle.”

    “Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.”

    The quotes above were prefaced with this statement, in case that needs to be clarified for anyone: “My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction

18. Thanks Cynthia. I sure am glad you’re here to give us a moral spanking. You go girl!

19. Is this the first time a _federal_ judge has made a ruling that forces a state to recognize ssm?

    If so, is there anything we may deduce from the fact that this was done to Utah, the most conservative state in the union? IE, was utah specifically chosen for this?

20. Bookslinger, pretty much an accurate statement. Make it legal everywhere in the United States with a court order. Thankfully though, the church will go on regardless of what the unofficial state religion goes. I personally wonder if there’s anyway that church members can exempt themselves from the marriage license? I mean, I don’t see going without a marriage license in the same light as stealing or driving over the speed limit, I also figure that maybe there’s reason to opt out now that polygamy has again been considered ok, unless the feds still have some obssession with trying to get the church, but stating that as a fact is fringe paranoia, right?

21. Ben maybe you can read and comment on my post. My own thoughts were about skipping out of state licence for marriage.

22. Cynthia L, I am sure you felt some righteous indignation at quoting Michael Otterson at those evil old conservative Mormons, but I still have no idea who you were aiming that (stinging?) comment at, and I am certain that you have not internalized the entirety of its meaning. I cannot find anything to disagree with in that statement by Bro. Otterson, and I am certainly willing to fill M* with statements from him and other Church leaders. Too bad progressive Mormons don’t actually listen to and internalize what Church leaders have to say.

23. Conservatives in states all around the country are going to blow up on this one. The friday before Christmas with a giant storm blowing through half the country is certainly a time to get it buried, but I think that the political fall-out from this is going to be felt far and wide. There is nothing that cannot be overturned by a single federal judge if Utah of all places cannot deny homosexual marriages.
    I am sure that Senator Mark Udall is not happy with the timing of this. The appeal will be heard in Colorado during his reelection year with Obamacare and 2nd amendment issues already firing up conservatives.

24. Cynthia L., maybe you should post that over on BCC. Proclaim your support for Otterson’s statements that yielding to “temptation” (i.e. gay sex) is in fact sinful, and that a gay person can “be happy” while staying celibate and otherwise keeping all Church standards.

    I dare you.

    In fact, I double-dog dare you.

25. Yeah I do find it intriguing that if Cynthia is willing to post a Church spokesperson’s statement with such relish and glee, perhaps she could find in herself to give equal attention to, you know, the Lord’s spokespeople, aka the prophets and apostles?

26. Political correctness as dictated by the liberals is no longer just political correctness. It has become political and cultural tyranny, anti-christian, Antichrist for short. I am writing from Sodom and Gomorrah formerly known as Seattle-Tacoma, where a male assistant-principal has resigned from his position at a Catholic High School after the school found out he married his homosexual partner over the summer. Catholic students rally to the cause of this excellent educator (who will get positive references to work in another school–public this time), they demonstrate, students from other local Catholic schools join in and talk about Christ’s Gospel of “Love”. Many are writing to Pope Francis to help reinstate the former swim coach and assistant principal. Interview after interview and soundbites of Catholic teenagers who obviously know everything, and no opinion from parents who perhaps put their children in a religious school at least in part for moral reasons. Or do they all put their kids there because academically they will fare better and who cares about traditional morality? The homosexual mayor-elect of Seattle came to the students’ demonstration to support their cause. We already know that the war over the souls of the children of men began in the pre-earth life and has been raging on earth since the days of Cain. This is our battle. God bless Phil Robertson, the National Organization for Marriage, religious leaders of all faiths who will not compromise and all Latter-Day Saints willing to fight this battle. I would say that the LGBT asked for it, but it is also Satan who asked for it from the beginning! We need to unite and organize our defense.
    Alma 46: 11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah. 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land— 14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church. 15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come. How relevant is that to our times!

27. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Friday after a court ruling on same-sex marriage in Utah:

    The Church has been consistent in its support of traditional marriage while teaching that all people should be treated with respect. This ruling by a district court will work its way through the judicial process. We continue to believe that voters in Utah did the right thing by providing clear direction in the state constitution that marriage should be between a man and a woman and we are hopeful that this view will be validated by a higher court.

Comments are closed.