Taking Sides in California; Massachusetts Moves to Define Marriage for Other States; San Francisco Officially Condemned Vatican and Christians

New Survey: Support for State Marriage Amendments is a Key Issue with Voters
The mainstream media are quick to report that the important issues with voters are Iraq , gas prices and the economy, but there is another important issue they are ignoring — protecting the definition of marriage.
By RoseMarie Briggs

First Presidency Urges Californians to Protect Marriage
The First Presidency is issuing a message urging Californians to support the marriage protection amendment on the ballot in November in the state by doing “all you can … by donating of your means and your time."
By Maurine Proctor

Media Ignore the Legal Fallout of California's Genderless Marriage Law
As the public is drowning in news stories of gay couples kissing and saying "I do," the media coverage has ignored the extremely serious legal fallout of California's new genderless marriage law on everyone else.
By RoseMarie Briggs

Dark Day for Marriage
In an act of outrageous judicial arrogance, four justices in black robes overturned the will of four-and-a-half million people in California yesterday and redefined marriage.

Defending Marriage and Moral Values in Oregon
A battle regarding gay rights and marriage is at a pitch in Oregon, and if you live there, your help can make a difference.
By Kenneth Stevens

Romneys to Receive Religious Freedom Award
Fans of religious freedom may note an important medal that will be awarded to Mitt and Ann Romney by the Becket Fund, a significant public interest laws firm devoted to defending the religious liberty of people of all faiths.

Urgent Call to Protect Marriage in Arizona
Although the media may be reporting that the Arizona marriage amendment is off the ballot for this November, the truth is the battle is far from over. To ensure that the marriage referendum bills in the house and senate get a fair vote, citizens need to take action and urge the Arizona House and Senate leadership to act boldly to see that the referendum passes without amendments.

Volunteers Needed to Process Marriage Petitions in So. California
Protect Marriage http://www.protectmarriage.com needs volunteers to help process the final round of marriage amendment petitions between now and April 12th. If you or someone you know lives in southern California, please help in this critical effort.

Volunteers Needed to Process Marriage Petitions in California
Protect Marriage (www.protectmarriage.com) needs volunteers to help process the marriage amendment petitions as they pour in between now and the April 1, 2008 deadline. This mammoth task cannot be accomplished with the help of volunteers!

The Failure of the Hookup Mentality
Our culture’s sexual attitudes are self-destructive. Nothing about the casual sex thrown at us at every turn can possibly incline and prepare people for the lifelong sexual fidelity critical to marriage and family stability.
By Maurine Proctor

Your Help Needed to Protect Marriage in California
If you live in California and believe in protecting children and families, your help is needed right now. We are looking for people in different regions of the state to step forward and volunteer for a job that can make a difference in the future for families in California.
By Christine King

Florida Marriage Amendment in Danger
The Division of Elections in Florida has declared that the petition to put a marriage protection amendment on the ballot needs 22,000 more signatures in the next two weeks. Please pass this email on to all of your friends n Florida so these signatures can be gathered.

Your Help Needed for One Last Push in California’s Senate Bill 777 Referendum
One last push is needed today to assure that the petition drive has gathered enough signatures.
By Susan Markham, Family Leader California Director

Happy Birthday Family Leader
Thanks to the dedication of key professionals and thousands of people from all 50 states Family Leader is making a significant difference.
By RoseMarie Briggs

New California Law Will Indoctrinate Children
In California, sights have been set upon the schools as a place to sway the next generation to let go of the traditional notions of family and gender. We have a little window to do something about it.
By Maurine Proctor

Immediate Threat to Marriage in America
This article is about Oregon, but what happens in Oregon will affect us all. If you live in Oregon, please step up and help. If you have friends in Oregon, please forward this urgent article to them.

Protecting Marriage in Oregon Before Its Too Late
This is an urgent call to protect marriage in Oregon.

Urgent Call for Oregon Volunteers to Protect Marriage
Protecting marriage is a long battle. It is not for the weary and faint-hearted. And, most disturbing, it is difficult to arrive at the day when we can all say, "Whew, the job is done."
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Why Civil Unions Hurt Marriage
On August 9, 2007, an historic event happened in the United States. This event was not a medical breakthrough or the discovery of a new planet. The event was an historic marker for how fast America is falling away from the core belief and social science proof that homes headed by a mother and a father are good for adults, good for children and good for society as a whole.
By RoseMarie Briggs

Helping the Most Helpless
One of the most overlooked human rights issues is the excruciating pain an unborn baby experiences when abortions are performed.  But when a U.S. Congressman submitted a bill that would require medical providers to tell women seeking abortions about this pain and offer the option of providing anesthesia, 162 members of Congress voted against it.  We need your help to pass this legislation!
By RoseMarie Briggs

Stopping Indecency on the Airwaves
If you don't want to hear the "f-word" and the "s-word" when you or your children flip on the TV, then please contact your U.S. Senator! The Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (S.1780) has unanimously passed the Senate Commerce Committee and is on its way to the Senate Floor.
By Maurine Proctor

Cradle of Liberty?
FCC, the F-Word and Irony
Philly is booting out the Boy Scouts.
By Maurine Proctor

Abstinence Under Fire
The Culture War Comes to the Classroom
We may be about to see a change in the classroom that will affect what our children are taught about sex.
By Sean Brotherson

Family Leader Launches Powerful New Website
Welcome to a remarkable new website that does everything for you except cook a pancake breakfast. You'll be surprised at what this website can offer to help you stand up for family values and religious freedom.
By Maurine Proctor
Photograph by Scot Facer Proctor

Protecting Marriage in Key States
How is the institution of marriage faring in state houses across the county this year? In this article, Meridian will give you a brief analysis of where we are, where the battle is raging, and how you can make a difference.
By Maurine Proctor

ERA: Old Dogs Never Die
Some issues ought to stay comfortably and securely buried, but the Equal Rights Amendment just keeps rearing its ugly head. It is the tired, but dangerous amendment that refuses to die.
By Maurine Proctor

Latter-day Saints in Need – A Conference on Overcoming Pornography
Would you give one day of your life to find out what can be done about the pervasive effects of pornography? If you live near Provo, Utah, that day can be tomorrow.
By Sean E. Brotherson

Protecting Children from Political Agendas
LDS Women in Maryland Speak against Controversial Sex Ed Classes
On a January morning in Montgomery County, Maryland, eight Latter-day Saint women put aside their regular routines for the day to stand for truth and fairness in a uncomfortable, public discussion on a controversial new sex ed curriculum.
By Maurine Proctor

Taking Christ Out of Christmas
Despite the best efforts of the enemies of Christ to take Him out of Christmas, Christians are striking back. The news is bad, but there's hope in some quarters that a rebound is on the way.
By Maurine Proctor

Secretary-General Puts “Gender Equality” At Center Of UN Reform Proposal 
A key report on United Nations report reform is touted as a way to recommend ways to make the UN more effective, but one of its major recommendations is a sweeping overhaul of the UN in order to promote "gender equality" and "women's empowerment."
By Samantha Singson

Take the Pledge: I Vote Values
Do Moral Values Matter on Election Day? You Bet They Do!
Let's tell members of the media and leaders of the Democrat and Republican parties that the Value Voters Do Exist and will be out in force on Election Day. Please sign the pledge and send it on to all of your friends.

Do You Want to Vote Your Values on Election Day?
State Voter Guides
Sign the “I Vote Values” Petition.
Do Moral Values Matter on Election Day? You Bet They Do! The press says they don't think you'll come to the polls. Here's voter guides, a petition to sign and more.
Compiled by RoseMarie Briggs,
Executive Director-Family Leader Network

A Personal invitation to Join Liberty Sunday, October 15, 2006
Join a live simulcast Sunday evening on the Internet — or if you live in Massachusetts, please attend in person. Hear from Mitt and Ann Romney, Gary Bauer, Dr. James Dobson and others tell how our first freedom "religious liberty" is being eaten away in the public square.

The Stakes in the War
Media have become immoral and violent and we accommodate. Schools expose our children to dubious ideas and we accommodate. Marriage is remade and we accommodate. When have we had enough of accomodation?
By Maurine Proctor with additions from Steve Farrell

War in Heaven, War on Earth
The War in Heaven wasn't a battle waged and finally won. It was the first skirmish in a longer war whose location has been changed to earth.
By Maurine Proctor

The Storm You Didn’t See Coming
The danger of terrorism, the cost of health care — nothing is more threatening to our society than this.
By Maurine Proctor

Help Protect Marriage In an Election Year!
The marriage protection amendments in 8 states may not pass without your help.
By RoseMarie Briggs
Executive Director, Family Leader Network

Be a Smart Values Voter — Primary Election Voter Guides
Don't walk into the voting booth blind on Tuesday, if your state has an election. Your vote for family values makes a difference. Here are voter guides, reflecting how candidates feel on many issues of significance.
By RoseMarie Briggs, Executive Director, Family Leader Network

Californians — Call Today to Stop Controversial Curriculum
The Assembly is voting today on a law that would radically change the face of California schools. Your help needed.

No-Fault Divorce and the Cost of Blindness
It is now easier for a married person to divorce a spouse than it is for an employer to fire somebody he hired last month. Not that many years ago, by contrast, divorce was very difficult to justify in court and an employer could terminate an employee at will.
By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

How the ACLU Uses Your Money
Did you know the ACLU is using your money to squash freedom of religion in America? It is time to get them to stop. Here's how to do it.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Children and the Social Interest in Marriage
Divorce can inflict such psychic damage on children that its long-term consequences are in some ways similar to the damage of child abuse, which can last a lifetime.
By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

Family Leader Delivers 31,520 Signatures to Protect Marriage
The debate about same-sex marriage is not a debate about tolerance but a discussion about the future and purpose of the institution of marriage.

Urgent: Help Collect Signatures for Colorado's Marriage Amendment
Only two weeks to go to get enough signatures for a marriage amendment to be on the ballot in Colorado.

10 to 1:  Guess Who Congress is Hearing from on Marriage
The bottom line is that those who want to redefine marriage have a tenacious, undying political will. They count on us being apathetic and tired.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Mocking the Rules in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts legislative leadership today has made the birthplace of American democracy its new graveyard, a family spokesman said.

Amendment Goes to the House: Sign the Marriage Protection Petition
This month the Marriage Protection amendment will be voted on in the House of Representatives. Can Meridian readers up our number of signatures to 40,000?
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Covenant Marriage: Our Ties to the Sacred Circle of Posterity
Covenant marriage especially includes our ties to that sacred circle we call our posterity — our children and their children. It also includes our ties to ancestors, extended families, and the larger community. Personal covenants lead to community covenants in the doctrine of building Zion. Come and explore these concepts.
By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

Saving Families and Saving the World
President Lee often referred to the Church as the "scaffolding" that helps us to build eternal families. If, indeed, all nine of the great forces of society became part of that great scaffolding, parents would be both empowered and motivated, and (it is not too bold to say) the world could be saved.
By Richard Eyre

Repairing the Breach and Turning the Hearts
Too many kids today can rap but cannot read. Too many know everything about drugs but can't pass chemistry. Too many have sex but have no love. In America today, more teenage boys go to jail than join the Boy Scouts. The world is in trouble, and we must not underestimate the gravity of the situation.
By Richard Eyre

Arizonans:  More Signatures Needed for Marriage
Protect Marriage Arizona, a coalition of individuals and organizations spanning a broad religious and cultural sector in the state, has been gathering 300,000 signatures to ensure a marriage amendment can be on the ballot for a July 1st deadline. If you live in Arizona, your help is needed now.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

The Marriage Protection Amendment — A Fight We Can’t Give Up
The arguments we've heard in the Senate from opponents of the marriage amendment in the past few days come as no surprise. We've heard all this before.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Religious Leaders Stand Together for Marriage Amendment
Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve, joined a cadre of religious and civic leaders in a press conference in the Capitol on Monday sponsored by the Alliance for Marriage to support the Marriage Protection amendment.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Bravo, Mr. President!
George Bush Takes a Bold Stand for the Family
The President of the United States spoke out boldly for the family yesterday. "This week, the Senate begins debate on the Marriage Protection Amendment, and I call on the Congress to pass this amendment, send it to the states for ratification so we can take this issue out of the hands of over-reaching judges and put it back where it belongs -- in the hands of the American people." Come and read the entire text of The President's talk and see photographs from the event.
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor

Some of the People Who Attended the President’s Speech on the Marriage Protection Amendment
Here are a very few of the people in attendance at the President's speech on the Marriage Protection Amendment. This is just another way to bring you along with Meridian to these events.
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor

Thank You Meridian Readers for Supporting Marriage — 23,000 Signatures Delivered to Senate
We asked you to sign a petition to encourage the Senate to vote for the Marriage Protection Amendment. You delivered! And we delivered more than 23,000 of them to the Senate. Come and see.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

How Same-Sex Marriage Weakens What Marriage Means
Because the First Presidency has taken a public position against same-gender marriage, President Gordon B. Hinckley has often been asked about the Church's attitude toward people who feel same-sex attraction. His response is personally compassionate and doctrinally clear.
By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

The Joy of Human Love
Being married isn't easy. It isn't supposed to be easy. But when a confused culture confuses us about what marriage means, we may give up on ourselves and each other much too soon.
By Elder Bruce C. Hafen

Ten Persuasive Answers to the Question, "Why Not Gay Marriage?" — Conclusion
The same-sex marriage proponents take a "Mr. Potato Head's" theory of humanity: There is no real difference between Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. They have the same central core, but merely external interchangeable parts. There's no real difference.
By Glenn T. Stanton

Ten Persuasive Answers to the Question, "Why Not Gay Marriage?"
How do you answer these questions: "How will my same-sex marriage hurt your marriage?" "Can't we all just get along by having religious marriage and civil marriage?" "Does gender really matter?" Focus on the Family has kindly consented to share their Ten Persuasive Answers to the question: Why not gay marriage?
By Glenn T. Stanton

Same-Sex Marriage:  A New Threat to Religious Liberty
Excerpts of Maggie Gallagher's article in The Weekly Standard
Scholars see a train wreck coming in our culture if same-sex marriage becomes reality — and it is religious liberty that may be severely damaged.

Stand for Something NOW
We've Been Asked to Contact our Senators about the Federal Marriage Amendment — Here's the Easiest Way.

Follow the Prophet
It is rare, perhaps unprecedented, for the First Presidency to ask the members to contact their senators about an amendment. Here are the simple instructions about how to do it.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Sign the Marriage Protection Petition
We asked for 10,000 signatures on the marriage petition from Meridian readers. You responded with 10,000 in under 54 hours! Thank you! We could use more, many more. We'll be printing petitions all weekend. Can you help us deliver 20,000? Please help.

Multi-Faith Women’s Conference to be Held in Virginia, Utah
The conference will focus on the healing and rebuilding of Iraq coming from the inside out, as women share with women on family, home, and community building.

American Scientists Announce Intent to
Clone Humans for Research
Scientists from Harvard and California announced at a recent conference their intent to clone human embryos and destroy them for their stem cells and are hoping to succeed where disgraced South Korean scientist Woo-Suk Hwang dramatically failed.
By Mark Adams

Take Action Today: Targeting the Way School Children View Gender
Californians, please read this urgent message. A call is needed this morning on a bill that will be voted on today in the Senate.

You’re Invited: Virginians Organize to Protect Marriage
If you live in Virginia, this is your opportunity to take a stand for marriage. Details here for this week's organizing meeting.

National Update
Take Action:  Broadcast Indecency Bill
You'd never invite a guest into your home who exposed your family to lewdness and indecency. Yet, every day Americans invite the television into their lives — and are exposed to lewdness that assaults their moral values.

National Update
Take Action:  Help Stop Ed Programs that Encourage Sexual Activity
Congress is at it again. Now 22 members of Congress are trying to decide whether to spend tax dollars to teach children how to engage in sex play without actually having sex. Tell your representative what you think about this scheme!

Day of Silence
If you live in California this is vital information for you about what's happening at school. Your voice is needed.
By Christine King

National Update
The case against Abdul Rahman, who had faced execution for converting from Islam to Christianity, was dropped last weekend and he has been released.
By Maurine Proctor

France Rejects Same-sex Marriage to Protect Children's Rights
Considering the rights and best interests of children, a 30 member parliamentary commission of the French National Assembly has recently rejected same-sex marriage.

Rain Dances and Reality TV
Each time the college instructor opens a new edition of an anthology of world literature or American literature, she discovers more pages from those like Milton and Dante cut.
by Mary Grabar

Poll of Values Voters
The values voters flexed their muscles in the last national election, and now the questions is: How do the values voters feel about Congress two years after the election of 2004?

How the States Line Up on Marriage
This promises to be a big year as constitutional amendments protecting marriage are being considered in several states. Your help is needed.

Urgent: Petition to Get Marriage Amendment on Florida Ballot Needs Your Help
The drive to get enough signatures to get a marriage amendment on the ballot in Florida is about to end — and they are short of signatures.

Family Values and Minority Rights: Canadian Voters Sort through the Issues
Two Latter-day Saints — from opposite ends of the political spectrum — discuss the issues related to Canada's upcoming election.
By Rebecca Hudson

Curbside at the Alito Hearings
A Brief Photo Essay
Come with us to the steps of the Supreme Court; meet Judge Samuel Alito and his family as they arrive for the Senate hearings; go to the Heritage Foundation to hear a constitutional expert. Come and see.
By Scot Facer Proctor

Alito: A Modest Proposal
While the questions at stake in the Alito confirmation concern abortion, religious freedom, the nature of marriage, they all hinge on something else. How do we regard the Constitution of the United States?
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Judge Sam Alito: A Man for All Sessions
Two Latter-day Saint lawyers who were clerks for Judge Alito give us a behind-the-scenes look at the man.
By John and Hannah Smith

Your Help Needed to Support Alito Confirmation
It's A+ for Samuel Alito as the Supreme Court nominee received a unanimous well-qualified rating from the American Bar Association on Wednesday, but abortion advocates won't to stop the confirmation. Your help is needed.

SOS California
Californians have been working to get 850,000 signatures on petitions to put a constitutional amendment protecting marriage on the November ballot. With only two weeks to go, not enough signatures have been gathered. Your help is urgently needed.
By Mark Jansson
Protect Marriage Coalition

‘Twelve Rules of Christmas’ Guidelines for Public Holiday Celebrations
There is an irrational bias against anything remotely religious unless it's sanitized and secularized, and unfortunately far too many parents, students and teachers erroneously believe they cannot do anything to celebrate Christmas in the public schools.

Maryland Parents Fight Homosexual Curriculum
What People Who Care Can Do
A handful of parents are making a difference in Maryland, and if you live there, they need your help.

How You Can Explain Why Our Society Should Preserve Marriage
When we're asked why we support traditional marriage, most of us stammer without a good explanation. Here's the best article yet that can help you tell why.
By Monte Neil Stewart

Parents Should be Outraged
What if, by law, you couldn’t protect your child from something you felt would hurt him or her? What if the state said you had no right to control what enters your child’s life? In California's 9th Circuit, the nightmare has arrived.

Protecting Marriage in Texas — Your Help Needed to Vote For Prop 2
Texas is a state where more than 70% of the voters are in favor of traditional marriage, so you’d think that passing a constitutional amendment protecting marriage would be a slam-dunk. Not so, because of a deceptive campaign being waged. Please pass this article on to all of your friends in Texas.
By Maurine Proctor