SALT LAKE CITY-Saturday, President Dallin H. Oaks of The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained the the rationale for the Salt Lake City-based faith taking its stance on The United States Respect for Marriage Act.

Speaking at Chicago, Pres. Oaks said it was because the law provides “necessary protections for religious freedom.”

Pres. Oaks continued, saying this act includes “valuable provisions to assure that no federal or state laws [can] be used to harm the religious or conscience rights of faith-based institutions or their members.”

Pres. Oaks stated this prevents religious organizations or schools and their staff from having to perform or host same-sex marriages or celebrations. It also, he continued, protects the tax-exempt status of religious organizations.

It also protects the grants, licenses, contracts and accreditation of religious schools.

Pres. Oaks is a former Utah state supreme court justice, who practiced and taught law in Chicago previously.