Paul Rolly has an excellent, moderate view of the current disagreement between the gay marriage movement and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Many groups besides LDS Church push political agendas," Opinion, Nov. 16). I agree, gay marriage should be legalized, and Rolly convinced me that the LDS Church was not wrong in utilizing its First Amendment rights to effect policy decisions.

Rolly left out one important point, however. Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority was much maligned for its outspoken political views. Those who defend the LDS Church's right to fund ads in favor of Proposition 8 should accept that involving your religion in politics has consequences, including an angry public backlash, protests in front of your temples, and increased scrutiny of the LDS Church. Please don't bemoan the mockery that others will make of the LDS Church; that is the cost of being involved in politics.

If LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson and the LDS Church dove into the Proposition 8 debate aware of these consequences, then it is their right to become politically involved. However, I was under the impression that my church was primarily apolitical. I have been severely disappointed.

Brenton Peterson

Pleasant Grove