Historic news

So much has happened these last few weeks. Obama is now our elect president. Not the way I wish things turned out but I will keep him in my prayers as he is faced with a crashing economy and war. Another historic vote that took place was Prop 8. Proposition 8 is about restoring the traditional definition of marriage for the good of our children and society. It was passed by a slim vote in California. The whole world is now pointing their finger at the LDS church. Protesters in front of the temple, ridiculous commercials, harassment against contributors. Unbelievable.
Now here are the facts behind Prop 8:
1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.
2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then out of a total of 5,661,583 yes votes, LDS voters made up 4.4% of the Yes vote and 2.3% of the total Proposition 8 vote (11,050,301).
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign (except for a nominal, and legal, in-kind donation of $2,078.97, to cover the travel expenses of leaders coming from Utah for a meeting). Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $36 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.
5. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 6. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims - all supported Yes on 6. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

The Church released this statement: "The Church acknowledges that such an emotionally-charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life -- family and marriage -- stirs fervent and deep feelings. "The Church calls on those involved in the debate over same sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information."

All I have to say is that I am proud of the members of the church who stuck up for what they believe in and worked their rights as a citizen to campaign and vote. Prop 8 was never meant to discriminate or take away rights. A simple vote to preserve the sacred nature of family and marriage will have monumental affects. It is sad that the blame has been laid on our shoulders but I believe that is how it is going to be with many issues to come. Satan knows what he doing guys. Time to fight the good fight! More than even I am so grateful to have a living prophet. There is no gray area when you follow his counsel, counsel that comes straight from our Heavenly Father.