It turns out that the Massachusetts family at the center of the Prop 8 campaign isn’t just a random couple who feel that their parental rights were infringed upon. The Bay Area Reporter (B.A.R.) reports that Robb and Robin Wirthlin, who introduced themselves to California voters in a Yes on 8 ad as the unwitting parents of a boy who was read the gay-friendly book King and King in his Massachusetts classroom, are not only Mormon, and possibly sought out this controversy, but they are related to one of the Mormon’s key strategists: Richard “Dick” Wirthlin.

OK, I know this title is a bit incendiary, and perhaps discussion should not be limited to Mormons.  But since I only know about Mormonism from being raised in the LDS church, that’s all I feel qualified to comment about. I often wonder to what degree I’ve been shaped by my Mormon upbringing, and sometimes feel that I’m trying to undo some of it, through therapy and other personal development, while embracing other parts. It’s terribly confusing.

While I wholeheartedly embrace free speech, sometimes it gets a little tiresome and repetitive.  I also don’t think spam is to be embraced as free speech as there are costs to those on the receiving end.  Since I’m hoping this blog goes beyond the common arguments being slung around, I do moderate the comments. I’ve allowed a few opposing comments to be posted, but if the arguments are tired, I don’t want to pollute the pages here.  With that disclaimer, here is a recent exchange that I had privately with someone posting a comment that I rejected.

It wasn’t only Barack Obama’s name that was used dishonestly by the Mormon backed Proposition 8 campaign. Pepperdine University is still feeling the fallout after the Protect Marriage campaign associated itself with the school in advertising, via a controversial professor at the school who just so happens to be Mormon.  Yes on Prop 8 discontinued the practice for a short time after the university objected, but then resumed using the name after testing showed that it improved viewer response.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported today on the fallout for the Mormon church from Prop 8 and ramifications for the political aspirations of high profile Mormon, former Massachusetts Governor, and Presidential contender Mitt Romney.

One article talks with Gregory and JaLynn Prince, LDS church members in Washington, D.C.  Even there, they have felt the backlash from the Mormon involvement in Proposition 8.  Their daughter, a Boston University student, has lost friends, while their son, an LDS missionary, has found it more difficult to spread the Mormon gospel.

The Mormons have always been concerned about their public image, as historically it has been a problem and directly affects their ability to convert people to the faith.   So it’s not suprising to see stories about public perceptions of the church in the wake of involvement in Proposition 8.

The Box Turtle Bulletin has posted:

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 insight 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.”

This is just confusing, sad and I don’t know what else.  Joseph Hollist, an LDS church member, describes his experience and conflict as an active member his church and his homosexual orientation.  Despite his “homosexual orientation” he married a woman, who knows of his orientation, and has two children with her.  I offer my best wishes and thanks to Joseph for making this video and trying to get through life the best way he thinks that he can.

You might have heard about the brilliant move by Equality Utah, asking the Mormon church to stand by the statements they made during the campaign about not objecting to civil unions and such.  They asked the Mormons for their support on 5 bills to be put forward in the Utah legislature.  The New York Times, among many others, wrote about it a few days ago.

BUT THIS JUST IN: After days of “no comment”, it looks like the Washington Post got a tidbit from a Mormon church spokesperson at the end of this article.

The New York Times has an article today on the efforts of the Mormons in Prop 8.  This is a must read for anyone who questions why our community is so upset with the Mormon church.

Here are some highlights:

Shortly after receiving the invitation from the San Francisco Archdiocese, the Mormon leadership in Salt Lake City issued a four-paragraph decree to be read to congregations, saying “the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan,” and urging members to become involved with the cause. “And they sure did,” Mr. Schubert said.