LDS leaders issued a strong condemnation Friday of recent acts of vandalism and violence aimed at Mormons who supported California's Proposition 8, which prohibits same-sex marriage.

The action came as leaders of Equality Utah, a gay-rights group, also condemned hostile actions against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its members or buildings.

Both admonitions follow pickets at LDS temples in Oakland and Westwood, Calif., and in New York after Proposition 8 passed with the LDS Church's active support. A Book of Mormon was set afire on the steps of a Colorado LDS chapel. Activists have called for boycotts of Mormon-owned businesses, such as Marriott International, and Utah ski resorts.

"People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights," President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors in the church's governing First Presidency said in Friday's statement. "These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America."

LDS leaders called on "those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward each other."

Equality Utah urged those on both sides of the issue to "engage in civil and peaceful expressions and conduct," executive director Mike Thompson said. "There is no room for violence, vandalism or intimidation - Equality Utah objects to these acts."

pstack@sltrib.com