COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

Mormons have a strong work ethic. While they might be a small number of a larger group, they sometimes are so energetic in their efforts that they become more visible.

When a coalition of religious faiths gathered to address a proposition they felt represented a critical moral issue, the Mormons were grateful and responded with their characteristic dedication. They constitute less than 2% of California residents, but appear now to bear the brunt of scathing attacks from those who felt the stinging disappointment of the recent passage of Proposition 8.

Prior to Nov. 4, 26 states had constitutional provisions defining marriage as between man and woman. On Nov. 5, the number was 29, with the addition of Arizona, Florida and California. In Arizona and Florida, the propositions passed with significant majorities. In addition, 14 states have similar statutes.

In 2000, Proposition 22 was passed in California by a 61%-to-39% margin. The California Supreme Court then overturned it in a 4-3 vote. The supporters of Proposition 22 quietly proceeded to take action to qualify a constitutional amendment to place before the voters.

There is no question that Proposition 8’s opponents suffered a severe and painful disappointment, but to call its supporters bigots and hate-mongers is excessive, painful and untrue.

On Nov. 8, an evening KFI-AM (640) talk show host commented that the “Mormon Temple” (presumably he meant the church) had given millions to promote Proposition 8 and that “phone calls were made from out of state” on behalf of Proposition 8, implying that phones were manned by non-Californians (presumably Mormons from Utah).

All funds used in the campaign were from individual donations given to the campaign entity. No donations came from official church funds.

Relative to the accusation that out-of-state phone calls were made — suggesting that Mormons living in other states were recruited to make large volumes of phone calls to California residents — this writer is unable to find any confirmation. Leaders say that some Brigham Young University students from California did make phone calls to their friends and families, but it did not go beyond that from the best of their ability to determine.

It has already been mentioned that the Latter-day Saints membership in California is very small (800,000 out of 34 million), and Latter-day Saints included about 4.6% of the “yes” votes for Proposition 8. The Mormons were a small fraction of a broad spectrum including Roman Catholics, evangelicals, Orthodox Christians, some Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims and Sikhs.

The outcome of this proposition could have gone either way. It has been stated that all supporters of the proposition will be targeted in some form. At the time of this writing, the LDS Church has been singled out as the main target. Words and opinions cannot be written strong enough against any group that would set out to do physical harm and injury to their opposition. A group that supports anger and hostility invalidates their own value and purpose — regardless of the cause. The loss of this proposition is not the responsibility of a group that comprises only 4.6% of the vote in favor of Proposition 8.

Latter-day Saints leaders are very appreciative of those other faith traditions who have stepped up and are standing by their side during these difficult times when they are being unfairly denigrated.

THOMAS L. THORKELSON is the Orange County Director of Interfaith Relations at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.