This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Thanks to The Tribune for recent articles on gay rights, including the excellent op-ed of Oct. 13 by attorneys Paul Burke, Brett Tolman and John MacKay ("Marriage equality will arrive in Utah soon"), and the Sept. 14 piece about Steve Young and his wife, Barb, an outspoken opponent of Proposition 8 in California ("Former NFL star Steve Young to keynote conference for LGBT Mormons").

Faithful Latter-day Saints who support the legalization of same-sex marriage should not hesitate to respectfully but vigorously express their views. Sustaining church leaders does not mean always agreeing with them, especially when we are confident they are wrong. I appreciate President Uchtdorf's reminder in the recent general conference that top LDS authorities make mistakes, even in doctrinal matters.

The church may regret that in 2006 it urged members to voice support for a federal amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. That effort fell flat. Similarly, Prop. 8, backed by the church, appears dead in the water.

Rather than continuing to fight against something that will soon be legal throughout the land, opponents of gay marriage would be better advised to focus on making traditional marriage work. It needs the help.

Steve Warren

West Valley City