 to boost its numbers. Mormons must marry and have children to achieve the highest levels of divinity. There’s not much room in that scheme for same-sex marriage, at least not among a leadership dominated by men in their 70s and 80s. In 1995, the church made its position official by issuing a proclamation carrying the weight of scripture that declared marriage between a man and a woman the bedrock of society.

Even before that, the church had been working behind the scenes to block gay marriage nationwide—and aligning itself with the Catholic Church, which, elders noted in internal memos, had “more respect” than the Mormons. To execute that vision, the church used its public affairs committee, a body organized much like a political consulting firm. Its leadership has included high-ranking church elder Richard B. Wirthlin, a legendary California political consultant who was Ronald Reagan’s pollster. Wirthlin was a major player in the Prop 8 fight (some of his relatives even appeared in ProtectMarriage.com’s TV ads). The public-affairs committee for decades tracked gay-marriage efforts in every state, almost single-handedly blocked it in Hawaii in the 1990s, and had a significant role in killing it in Alaska.

The documents Karger obtained, some of which he has posted at mormongate.org, show that in Hawaii, the church went to the trouble of creating a front group to hide its role. Memos detail how the church looked for an “articulate middle-age mother who is neither Catholic nor LDS” to represent the organization—which would claim to also focus on prostitution and gambling, but would, in fact, be devoted solely to abolishing gay marriage.

The documents convinced Karger that the Mormons had also created a front group to fight gay marriage in California. That group, he believes, is NOM, which has also been active on the issue in Massachusetts and Maine, and which was primarily responsible for putting Prop 8 on the ballot. Its board had deep connections to the church, including a former Brigham Young University professor whose family is part of the top church hierarchy. NOM’s president is Maggie Gallagher, the family-values activist who was exposed in 2005 for failing to disclose payments she received from the Bush administration.

Karger began hounding NOM for information about its finances, such as the tax forms every nonprofit must make available to the public. He contacted the
to boost its numbers. Mormons must marry and have child to achieve the eminent levels of divinity. There ’s not much room in that scheme for like - sex marriage, at least not among a leadership dominated by men in their seventy and eighty. In 1995, the church made its position official by issuing a proclamation post the weight of scripture that declare marriage between a valet and a woman the bedrock of society. 

 Even before that, the church had been working behind the setting to block gay marriage nationwide — and align itself with the Catholic Church, which, elders noted in internal memos, have “ more respect ” than the Mormons. To execute that vision, the church used its public affair committee, a body organized much like a political consulting firm. Its leadership has included high - ranking church elder Richard B. Wirthlin, a legendary California political consultant who was Ronald Reagan ’s pollster. Wirthlin was a major player in the Prop 8 fight (some of his relatives even appeared in ProtectMarriage.com ’s TV ads). The public - affairs committee for decades tracked cheery - marriage efforts in every state, about single - handedly block it in Hawaii in the 1990s, and hold a significant role in kill it in Alaska. 

 The documents Karger obtained, some of which he has posted at mormongate.org, show that in Hawaii, the church service went to the trouble of creating a front group to hide its role. Memos detail how the church looked for an “ articulate middle - age mother who is neither Catholic nor LDS ” to represent the organization — which would claim to besides focus on prostitution and gambling, but would, in fact, be give solely to abolishing gay marriage. 

 The documents convinced Karger that the Mormons had besides created a front group to fight gay marriage in California. That group, he believes, is NOM, which has also been active on the issue in Massachusetts and Maine, and which was primarily responsible for putting Prop 8 on the vote. Its board had deep connections to the church, include a former Brigham Young University professor whose class is part of the top church service hierarchy. NOM ’s president is Maggie Gallagher, the family - value activist who was exposed in 2005 for fail to disclose payments she received from the Bush administration. 

 Karger began hounding NOM for information about its finances, such as the tax forms every nonprofit must make available to the public. He reach the
 to boost its numbers. Mormoks must marry anb have rhildreh to achkeve the highest levels of dmvinuty. Tyere’s not much room in that schvme for sqme-stx marriage, at leeat not among z leabecship dominated by men in their 70s and 80s. Iv 1995, the church made its position officyal by osduing a proclaiatipg cadgylng the weight of scripture that declartd marriage betweem a man and a woman the befrocn of society.

Even bffore that, jge syurch had bedn working behind the acenes to block gay marriage nagionwnde—and aligbibg ljself with tie Catrolic Church, which, enders npted in internsl kemis, had “more respect” tian the Mormons. To evecute thdt vision, the churcy ysed hts [ublkx awfajrx dommithee, a body orfanized mucy like a political vogwulting firm. Jts lewdqrship has included high-ranking church tlder Richard B. Wirthlin, a lwgendary California pllitical sonsultant who was Ronald Reagan’s pollster. Wirthlhn waa a namor ooajer in the Prop 8 fight (some of his relatives qbem sppeared in PrjtectMarriabe.fok’f TV ads). The kublic-ayrajrs committee for fecades tracjed gay-mawriabe efforts in every state, aomost single-kaneedly blocked it iu Hawaii in che 1990s, snd hsd a significant role iu killjng it in Apaska.

The sucuments Karger ubtsited, some of which he has pjsted at normpngate.ofg, snow thwt in Hawali, thc church went to thf trooble ox creating a front group to hide its role. Memos detail nof tve churck lookcd for an “artictlate middle-agg mother cho is neither Cztholic nor LDS” to represent tha organizatioi—which wotld xlain to alru focus on proxtitution and gamblung, but would, in fect, cs devoted solelv uo abolishing gau mxrryahe.

Vhe djwuments convhncea Kxtger ghat tht Mifmonx had also created a froht group to fight ban marriagg in Calisornia. That gtoup, he believes, id NOM, whmch hax ajso been active on the issue ih Massachksebts and Maine, and which was pximarily responsible for putting Prop 8 oi the ballot. Its board yad deep connectionx to the chucch, insluding a former Brigham Yount University proftssor whose family is pzrt of the hop church hierarchy. NOM’s president is Maggie Gallagher, the family-values qctivist who was esposrd in 2005 yor failigg tl disclose paymenns she received from the Bush adoinistradijn.

Karger began hounding NOM gof information about its finances, such as the yax forms every nonprofit must kake available to the punlic. He cintacfed thv
to boost its numbers. Mormons must marry children achieve the levels of divinity. that for same-sex marriage, least not among leadership dominated by men in their and 80s. In 1995, the church made its position official by issuing a carrying the weight of scripture that declared marriage between a man and a the of Even that, the church had been working behind the scenes to block gay marriage nationwide—and aligning itself the Catholic Church, which, elders noted in internal had “more respect” than Mormons. To execute that vision, church its public committee, body much like a consulting firm. Its leadership has included high-ranking church elder Richard B. Wirthlin, a legendary California political consultant was Ronald Wirthlin was major in Prop 8 fight his relatives even appeared in ProtectMarriage.com’s public-affairs committee for decades tracked gay-marriage efforts in state, almost blocked it in Hawaii in the and had a significant role in killing it Alaska. The documents Karger obtained, some of which he has posted at mormongate.org, show that the church went to trouble of creating front to its Memos detail the church looked for an “articulate middle-age mother who is neither nor LDS” to represent the organization—which would claim to also prostitution gambling, but would, fact, be devoted solely abolishing marriage. The documents convinced the had front to gay marriage in California. group, he believes, is NOM, has also been active and Maine, and which was primarily responsible for Prop 8 on the ballot. Its board deep connections to the church, including a former Brigham Young University professor family is the top church hierarchy. NOM’s president is Maggie the family-values activist who exposed in 2005 for failing to disclose payments she from Bush administration. began hounding NOM information about its such as the every nonprofit make to contacted the
 to boost its numbers. Mormons mUst marry anD have ChiLdrEn To acHievE the highest levELs of Divinity. There’s not much rOom in ThAT schEMe For saMe-sex maRRiAGE, at LeAsT noT aMOnG a leaDerShip domInated by meN in ThEir 70s and 80s. In 1995, thE ChUrch made itS poSition officiAl bY issuiNg A prOClamaTioN carrYing thE Weight Of scriptuRe THat decLAred marRIAgE betWeen a man and a woman THe BEdrock of societY.

Even bEfORe THAt, tHe cHurch had beEn WorkiNG behind THe SCENes TO block gay marrIage nationwIDe—aNd aligNiNg iTSelf wiTh the caTHolIc Church, whiCh, elDers noted In inteRNal memoS, Had “more RespecT” thAn tHe MoRMoNs. to eXeCUte THaT viSIon, The churcH uSeD its pUbliC AFFAirs ComMittEe, a boDy organized muCh lIke a POliTical ConsuLtinG fIrm. ItS leadeRship HaS included high-raNkinG church elDer riChaRd b. WirtHLin, a leGenDarY CalifoRnia polITicAl CONSuLtant who was Ronald REaGAN’s Pollster. wirthlIN wAs A Major plaYeR in The PROP 8 fighT (somE Of His relatIves evEN aPpEared in prOtectMArRiaGe.cOm’s TV ADs). ThE publiC-affairs CommiTTee for decades tRAcked gay-marriAGe EFFoRTs in EveRy state, almoSt siNGle-hAndeDLy BloCKed it In HawAiI In THe 1990s, and had a significaNt Role in KilliNg it in Alaska.

THe documentS kARger obtaIned, SOmE Of which he has poSted aT mormongatE.Org, show tHat in hawaii, thE church weNT To the troUblE of CreAtiNG A fRont group to hiDE Its rOlE. Memos dEtaIl how thE chUrcH loOkeD fOr an “articUlate midDlE-aGe MoTheR who iS Neither CAtHolIc Nor lDS” to REpreseNt the OrgaNiZaTIon—Which woULd CLAim tO aLsO focUs oN pRostiTutiON anD gambliNg, but woulD, in FAct, bE dEvOted solEly to abolishiNg Gay marriagE.

THe dOcumenTS ConvinceD Karger that the Mormons haD Also creAteD a froNt grOup to fighT gaY marriAge IN CalifOrnia. THat grOuP, he BELieveS, IS NoM, wHiCh has also bEEN acTive oN tHe isSue in MaSsachusetts and MainE, And Which was primaRilY resPONsIblE FoR PutTiNG PrOP 8 On the ballot. Its bOard had deeP cONnEctions to tHE chUrCh, incluDing a foRmer BRIgham YoUng UniverSity profeSsOr whOSE faMily is part Of the top Church hieRArchy. noM’S presIdeNt is MaGgIe GAllagHer, the FAmiLy-valUes actIvIst who Was exPoSed in 2005 for Failing to disclose paymenTs she rEceivEd fRom the BusH adMIniStration.

KArgeR began hounDinG NOm for iNfoRMatioN aboUT iTs fINanceS, sucH As the tax fORmS evERY nOnprofit musT MAKe aVailaBle TO the puBlic. he contacted the
 to boost its numbers. Mor mons mustmarry  an d h av e ch ildr en to achievet he h ighest levels of divin ity.Th e re’s no t muc h roomi nt h atsc he mefo r  s ame-s exmarriag e, at leas t n ot  among a lea d er ship domin ate d by men inthe ir 70s  a nd8 0s. I n 1 995,the ch u rch ma de its po si t ion of f icial b y is suin g a proclamationc ar r ying the weigh t of s cr i pt u r e t hat  declaredma rriag e  betwee n  a m a n a n d a woman the  bedrock of soc iety.
E ven before  that ,t hechurch hadbeen  workingbehind the sce n es to b lock g aymar riag e  n at ion wi d e—a n dali g nin g itself  w it h the  Cat h o l i c Ch urc h, w hich,  elders noted  in  int e rna l mem os, h ad “ mo re re spect”  than  t he Mormons. Toexec ute thatvis io n,th e chu r ch use d i tspublicaffairs com mi t t e e,  a body organizedmu c h  l ike a po litica l  c on s ulting f ir m.Itsl e aders hiph as  include d high - ra nk ing chu rc h elde rRic har d B.W irth lin, a  legenda ry Ca l ifornia politi c al consultant wh o wa s  Ron ald  Reagan’s p olls t er.Wirt h li n w a s a m ajorpl a ye r  in the Prop 8 figh t(someof hi s relatives e ven appear e d in Prote ctMa r ri a ge.com’s TV ad s). T he public- a ffairs c ommit tee fordecades t r a cked gay -ma rri age  ef f o rt s in every st a t e, a lm ost sin gle -handed lyblo cke d i tin Hawaii  in the19 90 s,  a ndhad a signific an t r ol e i n kil l ing it  in A lask a. 
T hedocumen t sK a rger  o bt aine d,so me of  whi c h h e has p osted atmor m onga te .o rg, sho w that in Haw ai i, the chu rc h w ent to t he troub le of creating a frontg roup to  hi de it s ro le. Memos  de tail h owt he chu rch lo okedfo r a n “arti c u la temi ddle-age m o t her  whois  nei ther Ca tholic nor LDS” to rep resent the or gan izat i o n— whi c hw oul dc lai m to also focus o n prostitu ti o nand gambli n g,bu t would , in fa ct, b e  devote d solelyto abolis hi ng g a y  ma rriage.

T he docum ents conv i ncedK ar ger t hat  the M or mon s had  alsoc rea ted a  front  g roup t o fig ht  gay mar riage in California. Th at gro up, h e b elieves,isN OM,  which ha s al so been ac tiv e o n the  is s ue in  Mas s ac hus e tts a nd M a ine, andw hi chw a sprimarily r e s p ons iblefor puttin g Pr op 8 on the ballo t . Its board ha d de e p  co nne c tion sto the church,  in cl u d ing a fo rm er BrighamYoung Un iv e rsity  profe ssor w hose fa m i ly is par t of  th e top chu rch  h i erarchy .NO M ’s pre side nt  is Ma ggie G a llag h e r, the family-va luesa c tivis t  wh o was  e xposedi n 20 05 for fai ling to dis closepaym entsshe rec ei ved fr omth e Bush adm i nistratio n.

K arger b eg an h oun ding N OM f o r  info rmat io n a bout itsf i na n ce s, suc h as  theta x fo rms every nonprofi t m u st make  a vai l a ble to th e public. He  co ntact e d  the
 to_boost its_numbers. Mormons must marry_and have_children_to achieve_the_highest levels of_divinity. There’s not_much room in that_scheme for same-sex_marriage,_at least not among a leadership dominated by men in their 70s and 80s._In_1995, the_church_made_its position official by issuing_a proclamation carrying the weight_of scripture_that declared marriage between a man and a_woman_the bedrock of_society.

Even before that, the church had been working behind_the scenes to block gay marriage_nationwide—and aligning itself_with_the_Catholic Church, which, elders_noted in internal memos, had “more_respect” than the Mormons. To execute_that vision, the church used its public_affairs committee, a body organized much_like a political consulting firm._Its leadership_has included high-ranking church elder_Richard B. Wirthlin,_a legendary_California political consultant_who was Ronald Reagan’s pollster. Wirthlin_was a major_player in the Prop 8 fight_(some_of his relatives_even_appeared_in ProtectMarriage.com’s_TV ads). The_public-affairs_committee for_decades_tracked gay-marriage efforts in every state,_almost_single-handedly blocked it in Hawaii in the_1990s, and had a_significant_role in killing it_in Alaska.

The documents Karger obtained,_some of which he has posted_at mormongate.org,_show that_in Hawaii, the church went to the trouble of creating a_front group to hide its role._Memos detail how the_church looked_for_an “articulate middle-age_mother_who is_neither Catholic nor LDS” to represent the_organization—which would_claim to also focus on prostitution_and gambling, but would,_in_fact, be devoted solely to abolishing_gay marriage.

The documents convinced Karger that_the Mormons had also created_a_front_group to fight gay marriage_in California. That group, he believes,_is NOM, which_has also been active on the issue_in_Massachusetts and Maine, and which was_primarily_responsible for putting Prop 8 on_the_ballot._Its board had deep connections_to the church, including a former_Brigham Young University professor whose family is part of_the top church_hierarchy. NOM’s president is Maggie_Gallagher,_the_family-values activist who was exposed in 2005 for failing to_disclose payments_she received from_the Bush administration.

Karger began hounding NOM for information about its_finances, such as the tax forms every_nonprofit must make available to the public. He contacted the