American Mormon church injects itself into Argentina's battle for same-gender marriage

[Bluebear]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Mormon church leaders have restated the faith's unequivocal position against gay marriage in a letter to members in Argentina, where the government is debating whether to legalize gay unions.

"The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely clear: Marriage is between one man and woman and is ordained of God," said the July 6 letter from church President Thomas S. Monson.

A copy of the letter and its English translation began circulating over the weekend on websites for former Mormons.

Church spokeswoman Kim Farah on Monday confirmed the letter was sent to local leaders in Argentina, where the faith has more than 371,000 members, according to a 2010 church almanac. The country's population is more than 41 million.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GAY_MARRIAGE_MORMONS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US