President Biden signs amended Respect for Marriage Act in White House ceremony

Two prominent Latter-day Saint leaders joined the White House signing ceremony Tuesday as President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into federal law.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints simultaneously released a statement praising those who helped create and pass the law, describing the successful effort to add religious liberty protections to its language “both historic and commendable.”

“Today’s a good day,” Biden said before signing the bill in a unique ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, “a day America takes a vital step toward equality, toward liberty and justice, not just for some but for everyone — everyone — toward creating a nation where decency, dignity and love are recognized, honored and protected.”

Representing the church at Biden’s invitation were Elder Jack N. Gerard, a General Authority Seventy, and former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, who recently completed 10 years of service as an area seventy for the church.