Mormons Raise
$8.4 Million for Prop. 8

A coalition of Mormon churches is raising funds and mobilizing members in support of the California ballot initiative that would amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Senior elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broadcast a call to Mormons on Wednesday night to increase efforts to volunteer and donate funds to the fight, the Associated Press reports. The hourlong message went out to churches in Utah, Hawaii, and Idaho as well as California.

Members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the second-highest governing church body, explained their plan to pass the ballot initiative. They asked each California congregation to commit 30 volunteers from to donate four hours a week to Proposition 8. They also urged young people to use technology -- such as social networks, text messaging, and blogging -- to spread the message.

So far, Mormons have given an estimated $8.4 million to the Proposition 8 campaign, according to Mormonsfor8.com. While there are about 770,000 Mormons in California, church members from other states are being encouraged to aid their efforts. (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)