"In 1984, Oaks, a lawyer by training, authored a confidential memo on "the interests at stake in the proposed legalization of so-called homosexual marriages," a document that guided the Church of Latter-day Saints' opposition to marriage equality for decades to come. "Homosexual 'marriages' would be a devilish perversion of the procreative purposes of God and the earth life He has granted His children," Oaks wrote. "One generation of homosexual 'marriages' would depopulate a nation, and, if sufficiently widespread, would extinguish its people," he added. "Our marriage laws should not abet national suicide.""
""I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me," Oaks said in brief remarks in Salt Lake City. The church spent millions in opposition to the marriage equality movement, including a successful effort to pass a ban on same-sex marriage in California in 2008. Oaks has described homosexuality as an ephemeral "affliction." "The good news for somebody who is struggling with same-gender attraction is this," he said: "It is that 'I'm not stuck with it forever.'""
Dallin H. Oaks, 93, succeeded Russell M. Nelson as president of the Church of Latter-day Saints after serving as Nelson's first counselor. Oaks rose through established succession practices within church leadership. In 1984 he authored a confidential memo opposing legalization of same-sex marriage and warned that such unions would violate procreative purposes and could depopulate nations. The church invested millions opposing marriage equality, including support for California's 2008 ban. Oaks has characterized homosexuality as an ephemeral affliction and said those struggling with same-gender attraction are not stuck with it forever. He accepted the presidency with humility.
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