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Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski met Thursday with LDS Church leaders on a number of public-policy issues and hand-delivered a letter stating that she hopes the church's new exclusionary policy on same-sex couples and their children "would not last long."
In a prepared statement, Biskupski — the first openly gay mayor of Utah's capital — said she met with apostle D. Todd Christofferson, who was the Mormon leader assigned by the church to explain the policy change toward LGBT people, and Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the church, to discuss the future of Salt Lake City, headquarters to the worldwide faith.
It was the first meeting of many that will continue during her term in office, Biskupski said.
"[They] were very interested in discussing ways the church can help on issues of homelessness, air quality and watershed issues," she said. "We are all looking forward to a much more collaborative effort on long-term economic development opportunities for Salt Lake City."
As the meeting ended, Biskupski gave Christofferson a letter that conveyed her feelings on the church's new policy on same-sex couples and their children.
Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced changes to its handbook, stating that same-sex marriage is apostasy and that such couples and their children may not receive Mormon rites.
"I felt it was my responsibility to use this opportunity to express the community's concerns in a respectful manner," Biskupski said in her statement.
"I share in the sadness and confusion that this new policy has caused many in our community — both members of the church and nonmembers."
Biskupski is a single mother of a young son.
Her statement continued: "The LDS Church has done so much good in promoting the strength of the family, and while I strongly believe they are entitled to live in their doctrine, I hope this policy direction will not last long."
Biskupski presented her feelings on the LDS policy change in a letter so the subject would not overshadow other important issues at the first meeting, said the mayor-elect's spokesman, Matthew Rojas.
The contents of the letter were not discussed, according to Rojas and LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins.
In a statement Thursday, LDS leaders said they are looking forward to continued conversations with Biskupski on issues relevant to Salt Lake City.
"The discussion was broad and included homelessness, economic development, education, transportation and other items relevant to the city," the statement said. "We are eager to continue our conversations with Mayor[-elect] Biskupski and wish her well as she begins her service."