The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Mormon Church) has entered the political arena once again, by asking its members in California to get involved in the hot button issue of gay rights.

A letter dated June 20, 2008 and scheduled to be read to every congregation in California on June 29, 2008 reads in part:

The letter is signed by the Mormon church's "prophet" Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors. The full letter is available here.

Many find irony in the Mormon Church taking such a "principled stance" to preserve the "sacred institution of marriage." The Mormon Church's own book of sacred scripture, the Doctrine and Covenants contains clear unambiguous statements allowing men to have many wives, as long as they are virgins (D&C 132:61-66).

In central Nebraska there are congregations of Mormons organized in Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, and two in Grand Island.

There are unconfirmed reports that many Mormons throughout the United States are very dissatisfied with their Church for taking this stance in the California matter.